Eye strain: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Hoang Thanh Nga - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Eye strain is a common condition that occurs when your eyes get tired from working a lot such as when driving long distances or staring at computer screens and other digital devices. Eye strain is uncomfortable, but it's not too serious, and it should go away once your eyes are rested or procedures are taken to help relieve the discomfort. In some cases of eye strain, symptoms of eye strain may signal an underlying eye condition that needs treatment.

Some symptoms of eye strain include:
Eye pain, tired eyes, burning or itching eyes Watery or dry eyes Blurred vision Headache Neck, shoulder or back pain Increased sensitivity to light Difficulty concentrating open your eyes

Eye strain can occur after focusing on a certain point for a long period of time.
One of the biggest causes of eye strain is the daily use of digital screens for several hours at a time. Several studies have shown that more than 87% of the US population uses one or more digital devices for more than two hours a day. More than 76.5% of American children focus on screens for more than two hours a day. These children may experience eye strain or other conditions as a result of their exposure to this digital device.
People who look at screens continuously for two or more hours a day are at high risk of eye strain because:
When using a computer, eyes blink less (blinking is key to keeping eyes moist). Viewing digital screens at short distances Using digital devices with glare or reflections Viewing digital screens at short distances. glare or reflections.. In some cases, fatigue eyes due to eye muscle imbalance or untreated vision, which can cause or worsen eye strain when using a computer.
Some other lights can make eye strain worse such as:
Glare on the screen Sitting in the wrong position Air circulation, such as from a nearby air conditioner or fan An integer Other common causes of eye strain include:
Looking at digital screens. Read documents without resting your eyes. Driving long distances and doing other activities that involve excessive eye concentration. Exposure to light or glare. Eyes get strained while focusing on seeing with dim light. Dry eyes or eye defects (eye refraction). Feeling stressed or tired.

Eye strain does not cause serious consequences but it can make you feel uncomfortable and tired, reducing your ability to concentrate.
Some simple methods can help you prevent eye strain such as:
Look away often or apply the 20-20-20 rule: Eye strain often occurs when you focus on an activity for long periods of time without letting the eyes rest. You should shift your focus to something other than activity every 20 minutes. You should focus on looking at an object 20 feet away and you should look at it for at least 20 seconds. This is known as the 20-20-20 rule. Not only should you look away after 20 minutes, but you should also be active within a few hours. If you have to work with a computer screen or have to drive long distances for many hours, make sure to balance your other activities when using your eyes. For example, go for a walk outside in natural light during your lunch break if you spend the morning working on the computer.
Ensure your distance from the digital screen: make sure you are looking at your digital device at the correct distance and in the right position. The screen should be a few feet away from your eyes or arm's length. For digital devices read them below eye level. When using a digital device, the text on the screen should be enlarged to best suit you and be most comfortable for you. You can adjust the text size in your device's settings.
Make sure the light: Light can cause eye strain. It may be too dim or too bright, depending on the activity. Light will come from behind you if you are highly focused on something like reading a book. Dimming the lights can help reduce eye strain while watching TV. Make sure the screen you are viewing is also fully lit. Adjust brightness as needed. Glare can make your eyes feel tired, so try blocking out the windows or using a filter to reduce glare on your digital device.
Use eye drops: Intense concentration especially when viewing a screen can significantly reduce the number of times you blink per minute. When you blink less, your eyes may become dry or irritated. You can solve this problem by using eye drops such as artificial tears. You should also blink more often when using digital screens, which can prevent eye strain symptoms from occurring. Check the air: Spending time in a place with poor air quality, polluted environments, and places with fans, heating and cooling units can cause eye strain: Improve the air with a generator humidity. Turn off heating and cooling. Move to another place. Precise positioning: If you have to consult documents and use your computer, you should position to avoid having to work your eyes, neck, and head too often. The document holder can help you place items between your keyboard and your screen, causing eye strain. Wearing eyeglasses correctly: You should consult your doctor to see if you need eyeglasses to reduce eye strain. You may even need specialized lenses, equipment, or eye therapy when engaging in stressful activities. The right lenses help reduce eye fatigue. Reduce time spent on an activity: A simple way to avoid eye strain is to limit the amount of time you are exposed to an activity that requires intense concentration. Try to spend less time on digital devices. If your eye strain is severe or persists for a long time, consult your doctor. You may need corrective lenses or it could be a symptom of something more serious.

When using a digital device for a long period of time, you will be exposed to blue light, which can be harmful to your eyes in the long run. Blue light can cause:
Your retina problems. Cataract. Age-related macular degeneration. Sleep disorders. Specialized lenses can reduce your exposure to blue light.
Maintaining eye health is key to reducing more serious vision problems that may occur in the future. You should have your eyes checked regularly, especially if you experience frequent or persistent eye strain.
Eye specialties at Vinmec International General Hospital are the leading medical facilities in the country in the examination and treatment of eye-related diseases, with comprehensive quality in both expertise and medical services.
Eye specialist at Vinmec has comprehensive vision and eye health care functions for children, adults and the elderly including: refractive error check, laser treatment and surgery. In addition, the department also has the task of coordinating with other clinical departments in the treatment of pathological complications and eye injuries caused by accidents.
Besides, the team of Ophthalmologists here are experienced doctors who have implemented many types of surgery from routine to difficult surgeries, especially techniques that require aesthetics. . With enthusiasm and love for the profession, the team of doctors working at Vinmec always gives customers the best services with the highest service quality.
To book an eye exam, please come directly to Vinmec medical system or register for an online examination on the website for service.

Articles refer to sources: mayoclinic.org, healthline.com