Preventing Asthenopia-Eye Strain

Eye strain is a common complaint because of the kind of lifestyle we have in this day and age. Spending uninterrupted hours in front of the computer screen at work is what most jobs require today. Many people commute for hours regularly, their eyes, alert on the road before them. Children gaze at TV screens or computer games for hours at end. Reading into the wee hours of the night is a habit which puts many to sleep. But this routine of concentrated and extended use of the eyes day in and day out leads to symptoms of eye strain or asthenopia.

Even though asthenopia does not result in damage to the eyes, yet it is uncomfortable. It can lead to headaches, blurring of the vision, feelings of dryness, irritability, lack of motivation, burning sensation, watery eyes, photophobia and pain which can make going about your life and getting work done very difficult.

When strain is put on the eyes it incorporates tensing of the muscles of their eyelids, face, temples, and jaws.  Getting out of this strenuous routine may be impossible but the expert ophthalmologists at Vista Eye Specialists suggest ways to lessen your eye strain.

If your nature of work incorporates extended hours concentrating before the computer screen, the eye doctors at Vista Eye, VA suggest taking fleeting breaks for 5 minutes every hour and walking around or shutting your eyes which can really serve to lessen the strain on your eyes at work. Consulting the experts at Vista Eye Specialists may even lead to prescription glasses for your workplace.

Another simple exercise is blinking which naturally refreshes and replenishes your eyes. Decreased blinking causes dryness of the ocular surface and symptoms of dry eyes need to be treated with the use of artificial tears without preservatives. If a dry environ is causing strain, try using a humidifier.

Make an appointment with the eye doctors at Vista Eye Specialists, Culpeper and Fredericksburg, for an eye exam, at least annually, to make sure your eye strain it is not a precursor to any underlying vision problems like refractive error.