That tired, achy feeling in your eyes after a long day of work is a familiar experience for many. Our team at Waterloo Vision Care Clinic knows your sight is precious, and understanding this discomfort is the first step toward relief. When it hits, you might wonder how long you’ll have to put up with it.
Eye strain is usually temporary, and for many people, the discomfort eases once you rest your eyes or move away from the activity causing it. The exact duration depends on the cause, but symptoms of digital eye strain often improve within an hour or after a good night’s sleep.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Eye Strain
You might notice a few different signs when your eyes are overworked. These feelings are your eyes’ way of telling you they need a break:
- Sore, tired, or achy eyes
- Headaches that feel centred behind your eyes
- Watery or dry eyes
- Blurred or double vision, which can sometimes be related to dryness affecting your tear film
- Increased sensitivity to light
These symptoms happen because the small muscles in your eyes have been working hard without a rest. When you focus for long periods, you also tend to blink less often. This can cause your eyes’ protective tear film to evaporate, leading to dryness and irritation.
What Causes That Tired Eye Feeling?
Several everyday activities can lead to eye strain. It often happens when you focus intensely on something for a long time without a break.
Digital Screen Use
Staring at computers, phones, or tablets for extended periods is a frequent reason for eye discomfort. When you look at a screen, your eyes are constantly refocusing. You also blink less often—up to half as much as you normally do—which can cause digital eye strain.
Activities That Require Focus
Long-distance driving or reading for hours can tire your eyes. Any task that demands intense visual concentration, from reading a book to driving at night, can lead to strain. Poor lighting makes your focusing muscles work harder, which can quickly lead to fatigue.
Your Environment
Exposure to very bright light or being in a space with dry air from heating or air-conditioning can contribute to that strained feeling. An overhead fan or air vent can also dry out your eyes. Similarly, glare from a window or a poorly positioned lamp can force you to squint, straining the muscles around your eyes.
Simple Ways to Relieve Strained Eyes
You can take simple steps at home or work to help your eyes feel better. These small adjustments can also help you prevent discomfort before it starts.
Follow a Simple Break Rule
A good habit to adopt is the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple action helps your eye muscles relax.
Adjust Your Screen and Workspace
Position your computer screen so it’s about an arm’s length away and the top of the screen is at or just below eye level. Adjusting the height of your monitor and/or your chair height may help you achieve this. You can also adjust the brightness and contrast. Consider using an anti-glare screen filter to reduce reflections, and make sure your workspace is lit properly, without light shining directly into your eyes or onto your screen.
Blink More Often
It sounds simple, but remembering to blink can make a big difference. Blinking spreads fresh tears over your eyes, keeping them moist and comfortable. Making a conscious effort to blink more can help reduce dryness when you’re focused on a task.
Use Artificial Tears for Dryness
Over-the-counter lubricating eye drops can help relieve the dryness and gritty feeling that sometimes comes with eye strain. They add moisture back to the surface of your eye, supplementing your natural tears. It is important to talk to your optometrist about the type of drops that will suit your needs.
Could It Be Something More Than Eye Strain?
Sometimes, what feels like eye strain might be a sign of another condition. If rest and simple adjustments don’t solve the problem, something else could be the reason for your discomfort, including:
- Dry eye: Your eyes may not produce enough tears to stay lubricated, which can cause a gritty or scratchy feeling, as well as redness and blurry vision.
- An uncorrected vision problem: Needing glasses or an updated prescription for conditions like farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism can make your eyes work much harder to focus, leading to strain.
- Blepharitis: This condition involves inflamed eyelids, which can cause redness, irritation, and the feeling that something is in your eye.
When a Check-Up with an Eye Doctor Is a Good Idea
While most eye strain resolves on its own, persistent symptoms suggest it’s time for a professional eye exam. A thorough check-up can identify the root cause of your discomfort.
Consider booking an appointment if you experience:
- Eye discomfort that doesn’t go away
- Persistent headaches
- Constant redness or a feeling that something is in your eye
- Noticeable changes in your vision
During an exam, our team can check your vision and assess the overall health of your eyes. We can look for signs of underlying conditions that simple eye strain might be masking. This provides a clear picture of your eye health and a path toward comfortable vision.
Find Relief Today
If your symptoms continue, our team at Waterloo Vision Care Clinic can perform a comprehensive eye exam. A check-up can help determine what’s causing your discomfort and lead to a personalized approach for your eye health. Contact our team to book your appointment.
