Why Eye Strain Is An Important Problem To Address
Posted on: 28 June 2018
Do you spend hours watching TV, reading, or staring at your computer screen, tablet, or smartphone? Do you often experience heaviness or strain around the eyes, redness around the eyes, headaches, or excessive tearing? You could be suffering from eye strain, which is medically referred to as asthenopia. Eye strain is caused by prolonged focus on close objects.
In the current digital era, eyestrain is a common condition. So much so that you may think it's normal.
Here's why you need to take your eyestrain seriously:
More serious Problems
Eye strain may seem like a temporary problem, but this is not so. It may cause your eyesight to degenerate to the point that you develop other eye-related problems.
Astigmatism
This is a condition related to how your eyes focus. Instead of getting a single focus on the retina, you end up with double focus, producing a distorted or blurred vision.
Vision Impairment
Your eyes are meant to shift focus between close and distant objects. When you are constantly focusing on close objects, your ability to shift focus is impaired. As a result, you may end up developing near and farsightedness.
Migraines
Migraines are not just painful. They are uncomfortable and can make you unable to function for long periods, even days. One of the main causes of migraines is flashing or flickering lights, similar to those you find on computer or TV screens.
Discomfort
Your eyes may become itchy and red. You may also experience fatigue and pain around the neck.
Solution
Take Short Breaks
Take a 20 second break from your screen every 20 minutes or so, for about 20 minutes. Try to focus on distant objects about 20 feet away.
Exercise/Massage your Eyes
Close your eyes for a few minutes. Roll your eyeballs up and down, and then left and right. Blink your eyes often. Also massage your forehead and the area around your eyes.
Get an Annual eye Exam
Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will check your overall eye health. They may be able to identify other eye problems such as glaucoma or cataracts.
The eye doctor may also be able to identify other health issues such as diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Your eye doctor may prescribe special eye glasses to help reduce the effects of glare and flickering. They will further advise you on measures you can take to ease eye strain.
Although common, eye strain is not normal. Failure to attend to it may lead to more serious eye and overall health problems. Take the necessary measures to reduce its effects and get an eye exam once a year. If you are looking for an eye center where you can check for eyestrain or other eye related issues, contact a local office like Advanced Eye Care & Surgery Center.
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