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Eyestrain
By Mayo Clinic staffMayo Clinic Health Manager
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Definition
Eyestrain occurs when your eyes get tired from intense use, such as driving a car for extended periods, reading or working at the computer.
Although eyestrain can be annoying, it usually isn't serious and goes away once you rest your eyes. In some cases, signs and symptoms of eyestrain are a sign of an underlying eye condition that needs treatment. Although you may not be able to change the nature of your job or all the factors that can cause eyestrain, you can take steps to reduce eyestrain.
Symptoms
Eyestrain signs and symptoms include:
- Sore, tired, burning or itching eyes
- Watery eyes
- Dry eyes
- Blurred or double vision
- Headache
- Sore neck
- Increased sensitivity to light
Computer use can cause additional eyestrain symptoms:
- Trouble shifting your focus between monitor and paper documents
- Color fringes or afterimages when you look away from the monitor
When to see a doctor
If home treatments don't work to relieve your eyestrain symptoms, see your eye doctor. See your doctor if you have ongoing symptoms that include:
- Eye discomfort
- A noticeable change in vision
- Double vision
Causes
Common causes of eyestrain include:
- Extended use of a computer or video monitor
- Reading for extended periods
- Exposure to bright light or glare
- Straining to see in very dim light
Using a computer for long periods is one of the most common causes of eyestrain. This type of eyestrain is called computer vision syndrome. In some cases, an underlying eye problem such as eye muscle imbalance or uncorrected vision can cause or worsen computer eyestrain.
Risk factors
Risk factors for eyestrain include:
- Activities that require intensive or extended use of your eyes for tasks such as using a computer, studying or driving
- Underlying eye problems such as an eye muscle imbalance or uncorrected vision (refractive error)
- Stress or fatigue
Complications
Eyestrain doesn't have serious or long-term consequences, but it's disruptive and unpleasant. It can make you tired and reduce your ability to concentrate. In some cases, it may take days for all eyestrain symptoms to go away after you have changed your activities or your environment or treated any underlying cause.
Preparing for your appointment
When you see your eye doctor, be prepared to answer questions about factors in your daily routine that might affect your vision — such as prolonged computer use or exposure to glare. Your eye doctor may also want to know about any health conditions you have and any medications you take, including herbal supplements.
Tests and diagnosis
Your eye doctor will ask you questions about factors that might be causing your symptoms. Your doctor will do an eye exam to check for eye problems, and may test your vision.
Treatments and drugs
Generally, treatment for eyestrain consists of making changes in your work habits or your environment.
- In some cases, eyestrain may improve if you get treatment for another, underlying eye condition.
- For some people, wearing glasses that are prescribed for specific activities, such as using a computer or reading, may help reduce eyestrain.
- Your doctor may suggest that you do regular eye exercises to help your eyes focus at different distances.
Lifestyle and home remedies
A few simple adjustments in how you read, work or surf the Internet can give your eyes a much-needed rest. Follow these simple tips to reduce eyestrain.
- When doing close-up work, make sure you have light that's well directed on what you're doing. Use a brighter light source if you need one, especially if you have reduced vision from an eye condition such as macular degeneration.
- When reading, try to position the light source behind you and direct the light onto your page. If you're reading at a desk, use a shaded light positioned in front of you. The shade will keep light from shining directly into your eyes.
- When watching television, keep the room softly lit. Too much contrast between the TV screen and the surrounding environment can cause eyestrain.
Tips for computer work
Computer use is a common cause of eyestrain. If you work at a desk and use a computer, take some of the strain off your eyes by making sure your work space is set up in an appropriate and eye-friendly way.
- Adjust your monitor. Position your monitor directly in front of you about 20 to 28 inches (51 to 71 centimeters) from your eyes. Many people find that putting the screen at arm's length is about right. If you need to get close to read small type, consider increasing the font size. Keep the top of your screen at eye level or below so that you look down slightly at your work. And if you wear bifocals, you may have a tendency to tilt your head backward so that you can see through the lower portion of your glasses. To adjust for this, consider lowering your monitor a few inches or buying glasses designed for computer work.
- Check the lighting and reduce glare. Bright lighting and too much glare can make it difficult to see objects on your screen and strain your eyes. To check glare, sit at your computer with the monitor off. This allows you to see the reflected light and images. Note any intense glare. The worst problems are generally from sources above or behind you, including fluorescent lighting and sunlight.
- Adjust your monitor. If possible, place your monitor so that the brightest light sources are off to the side, at a right angle to your monitor. Consider turning off some or all of the overhead lights. If you need light for writing or reading, use an adjustable desk lamp. Close blinds and shades and avoid placing your monitor directly in front of a window or white wall. Use a glare-reducing screen to minimize glare from overhead lighting. Finally, adjust the contrast and brightness on the monitor to a level that's comfortable for you, making sure the letters on the screen are easy to read.
- Keep your monitor clean. Wipe the dust from your computer screen regularly. Dust on the screen cuts down on contrast and may contribute to glare and reflection problems.
- Position your keyboard properly. Place your keyboard directly in front of your monitor. If you place it at an angle or to the side, your eyes have to focus at different distances from the screen, a tiring activity.
- Keep reference materials nearby. Place reading and reference material on a document holder beside your monitor and at the same level, angle and distance from your eyes as the monitor is from your eyes. This way your eyes aren't constantly readjusting.
Prevention
- Take eye breaks. Throughout the day, give your eyes a break by forcing them to focus on something other than on your computer screen. Try to give yourself a five-minute rest every hour. Do other work, such as phone calls or filing, during this time. Try to stand up and move around at least once every hour or so. If possible, lean back and close your eyes for a few moments.
- Blink often to refresh your eyes. Because many people blink less than normal when working at a computer, dry eyes can result from prolonged computer use. Blinking produces tears that can help moisten and lubricate your eyes. Make a conscious effort to blink more often.
- Consider using artificial teardrops. Available over-the-counter, artificial tears can help prevent and relieve dry eyes that result from prolonged sessions at the computer. Your doctor can suggest which drops might be best for you. Lubricating drops that don't contain preservatives can be used as often as you need. If the drops you're using contain preservatives, don't use them more than four times a day. Avoid eyedrops with a redness remover, as these may worsen your dry eye symptoms.
- Practice relaxation. Ease muscle tension with this relaxation exercise: Place your elbows on your desk, palms facing up. Let your weight fall forward and your head fall into your hands. Position your head so that your eyebrows rest on the base of your palms, with your fingers extended toward your forehead. Close your eyes and take a deep breath through your nose; hold it for four seconds then exhale. Continue this deep breathing for 15 to 30 seconds. Perform this simple exercise several times a day.
- Get appropriate eyewear. If you wear glasses or contacts, make sure the correction is right for computer work. Most lenses are fitted for reading print and may not be optimal for computer work. Glasses or contact lenses designed specifically for computer work may be a worthwhile investment.
