With the increase in desk work and the increase in looking at computer screens for long periods of time, more and more people are suffering from eye strain, not just simple eye fatigue. If you think "I'm just tired," it could get worse. This page explains the causes, symptoms, and treatments of eye strain.
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Causes, symptoms, treatment and costs of eye strain
What is eye strain?
Eye strain is a condition in which symptoms such as difficulty focusing, bloodshot eyes, etc. continue to occur. Unlike tired eyes, the symptoms do not improve even with sufficient rest and continue for a long time.
Eyestrain is not caused by a single factor, but by a combination of factors. Therefore, symptoms may appear not only in the eyes, but also in the rest of the body.
Causes of eye strain
When examining the eyes of patients who complain of eye fatigue, the following diseases and abnormalities are often found. The causes can be broadly divided into five categories.
Accommodative eye strain
(Myopia, astigmatism, presbyopia, poor eyeglass correction)
Muscle-induced eye strain
(Strabismus, heterophoria, inability to meet eyes)
Aniseikonal strain
(My vision in each eye is very different, so I have what's known as "blurry eyes.")
Symptomatic eye strain
(Fatigue due to illness)
Nervous eye strain
(Effects of mental stress)
Symptoms of eye strain
Symptoms of eye strain can be divided into symptoms that appear in the eyes and symptoms that appear in the body. The symptoms of each are as follows:
Visible symptoms
- Bloodshot eyes
- Eye pain
- Out of focus
- Eyes become heavy
- Dry eyes
- Blurred or dim vision
Physical symptoms
- Stiff shoulder
- Stiff neck
- headache
- Malaise
- dizzy
- nausea
Flow of eye strain treatment
During the consultation, we will ask you about your current eye condition, lifestyle, work environment, etc. If eye strain is suspected, we will investigate the cause from what we have heard. Depending on the progression and cause of the symptoms, we will consider the appropriate treatment and start treatment.
Treating Eye Strain
The main treatments for eye strain are:
- Check your glasses or contact lenses
- Adding vitamin supplements
- eye drops
- Warming and cooling around the eyes
How to check for eye strain yourself
Let's check if you have eye strain. If you have the following symptoms, you may have eye strain. However, if you get enough sleep and your symptoms improve, it is unlikely that you have eye strain.
- Bloodshot eyes
- Eye pain
- Out of focus
- Eyes become heavy
- Dry eyes
- Blurred or dim vision
- Stiff shoulders
- Stiff neck
- I have a headache
- Feeling fatigued, dizzy or nauseous
This self-check is only a guideline and there is a possibility that it may be a sign of other illnesses.
Measures to prevent eye strain
If you suspect you have eye strain, it is important to take measures to alleviate it yourself. Here are some ways to alleviate eye strain yourself:
- Getting enough nutrients (especially vitamins B and E)
- Relax the muscles around the eyes
- Warm your eyes with a hot eye mask
- Do not use a computer or smartphone for long periods of time
Early treatment and measures
Everyone has experienced eye fatigue or eye pain at some point, but most of us forget about it after a while. However, sometimes the symptoms persist and can have a negative impact on the body. Medically, this condition is called "eye strain" and is differentiated from "eye fatigue," which is simply eye fatigue.
Eye strain will not go away unless you take some kind of action, unless you make some kind of change to your lifestyle, such as changing your job or environment. The unpleasant symptoms may continue indefinitely and make the condition worse. Furthermore, it is possible that there is an underlying eye or physical illness. Therefore, do not take it lightly as "just eye fatigue," but seek medical attention as soon as possible and take measures.
Frequently asked questions about causes, symptoms, treatment methods and costs of eye strain
Can eye strain be cured naturally?
Eye strain cannot be cured unless you take measures such as changing your environment and adjusting your lifestyle. If your condition does not improve even after self-care, you may be suffering from an eye or physical illness.
Can eye strain cause stiff shoulders?
Yes, eye strain can affect not only your eyes, but can also cause physical symptoms such as stiff shoulders.
Can severe eye strain lead to headaches and nausea?
Yes, as eye strain worsens, it can also cause headaches and nausea.
Why can't I cure my eye strain?
This is because the underlying cause of eye strain has not been removed. Eye strain is caused by a combination of multiple factors, so it is important to remove each of these factors in treatment.
