Zoom meetings. Google hangouts. Facebook and Instagram live. Netflix binges. We’re living in a world where we are spending more and more time looking at screens. And excessive screen time can be a culprit in causing strain on the eyes…but it’s not the only thing.
Eye strain is a symptom
Identifying exactly what you are experiencing will help in the diagnosis of the cause or underlying condition.
People who experience eye strain often describe it as one or more of the following:
- Eye pain and/or twitching
- Excessively watery or dry eyes
- Sore, tired, or burning sensation
- Blurry or double vision
- Sore neck or headache
- Sensitivity to light
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling like you can’t keep your eyes open
- Intense desire to squint
Not all eye strain is caused by eye disease
It’s true that many eye disorders and diseases can cause eye strain as a symptom. Dry eye, astigmatism, glaucoma, cataracts…these conditions, and many others, can cause a person to experience eye strain.
However, it is possible to experience intermittent eye strain and not have an underlying eye condition as its root cause. Other causes of eye strain may be using an incorrect glasses or contacts prescription, long-distance driving, prolonged exposure to digital screens…just to name a few.
How to get relief from eye strain
How you treat or prevent eye strain has everything to do with the root cause of it. The best thing you can do is get a comprehensive eye exam. This allows your eye doctor to evaluate your vision, any correction needed, or any conditions that may require treatment. If your eye strain is determined to be due to lifestyle factors, like heavy computer usage (“digital eye strain”), your doctor can recommend at-home solutions to ease the strain…and the pain.
Suffering from eye strain? Get answers and get relief. Request an eye strain evaluation.