Guide to Eye Strain with Our Optometrist
Though not dangerous, eye strain can lead to discomfort and irritation. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to address it. Eyecare Professionals located at Washburn, ND, Hazen, ND, and Mandan, ND, put this quick guide together to help.
What Is Eye Strain?
Imagine you are holding something for hours without taking a break. Even if it’s something light, your muscles will eventually tire from maintaining their position for so long. This exhaustion is what happens with eye strain.
Your eyes also have muscles. Those muscles get tired when they stare at anything for long periods without a break. This exhaustion is worse when conditions don’t support good visuals, such as if there is a glare or poor lighting.
It doesn’t matter what you’re looking at, either. For example, driving for long periods or staring at a textbook can create eye strain. Digital eye strain is prevalent, though, as most people stare at a digital device for long periods. Machines have additional issues, like glare and lack of contrast.
Common Symptoms of Eye Strain
Symptoms can vary, but the most common ones include the following:
- Tired eyes
- Dry or watery eyes
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
What Do I Do about Eye Strain?
Treating eye strain can often be as simple as adjusting your habits. The following are some examples:
- Set a timer to take a break from your task every 20 minutes. Look at something else, or even stretch your neck for about 20 seconds to give your eyes rest.
- Don’t sit in front of a vent that blows directly on your face, as it can dry out your eyes more quickly.
- Consider blue light glasses and an anti-glare screen for use with your devices.
It’s also essential that your annual eye exams. Though eye strain doesn’t cause permanent damage, an underlying issue might increase your discomfort. Yearly eye exams are the best way to ensure this isn’t the case.
If you have kids, you should do their yearly eye exam immediately. Kids constantly stare at textbooks, whiteboards, and digital devices throughout the school year. As a result, they’ll experience eye strain. Setting up a kid's eye exam allows their optometrist to ensure they have the best vision protection.
Schedule a Visit with Our Optometrist
At Eyecare Professionals, we are committed to helping you see as clearly and comfortably as possible throughout every task you undertake. Schedule an appointment at our Washburn office at (701) 462-8636, our Hazen location at (701) 748-6533, or our Mandan office at (701) 663-2020.
