Eye fatigue is a condition that occurs when the eyes become tired due to intense use. This can happen when driving and traveling long distances or when you spend all day in front of a screen, such as a cell phone or computer.
Symptoms of eye strain include:
- Sore, tired, burning, or itchy eyes.
- Watery or dry eyes.
- Blurred or double vision.
- Headache.
- Sore neck, shoulders, or back.
- Greater sensitivity to light.
- Difficult to focus.
- Feeling that you cannot keep your eyes open.
Among the list of causes that can cause eye fatigue is checking the screens of digital devices such as cell phones, computers, tablets, etc. There are also other factors that can influence. Mayo Clinic mentions them:
- “Read without pausing to rest your eyes.
- Driving long distances and performing other activities that require greater concentration
- Being exposed to bright light or glare
- The effort to see in very dim light
- Having an undiagnosed vision problem, such as dry eyes or uncorrected vision (refractive error)
- Being stressed or tired
- Being exposed to dry moving air from a fan, heating system, or air conditioner.”
How to avoid eye fatigue?
better with health, specialized health portal explains the instructions to perform various exercises and avoid eye fatigue.
Exercise 1
Helps reduce irritation and relax the eyes.
- Close the eyes.
- Support the palms of the hands on the eyeballs with the fingers on the forehead.
- Apply pressure, without exaggeration, for 3 seconds.
- Breathe deeply and slowly while doing the exercise.
Exercise 2
- Close your eyes and put your thumb inside the eye area, under the eyebrow and close to the nose.
- Apply gentle pressure, making circular movements for 3 minutes.
- Do the exercise on both eyes at the same time.
Exercise 3
- Open your eyes and move them in a circular motion, clockwise.
- Perform 5 to 6 laps. Flash each time a lap is completed.
- Do the same repetitions, but in the opposite direction.
Exercise #4
- Situate the view in a sale in front and make a mark on the glass of a window.
- Fix your eyes on that point for 15 seconds.
- Then change the focus to a far point, which is farther from the window. Keep your eyes on that object for 15 seconds.
- Return to the starting point and repeat 5 to 6 times.
Exercise #5
- Take a small object, like a pencil, and stretch your arm as far as you can.
- Fix your eyes on the object and slowly bring it closer to your nose. The idea is that the eyes remain focused.
- Return your arm to the starting position and repeat 10 times.
Exercise #6
How to take care of the eyes?
Medline Plus, website of the United States National Library of Medicine explains that blurred vision and other eye problems are caused by bad habits. Therefore, it points out some tips to take care of the eyes and prevent visual conditions:
- Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes.
- Wear safety glasses when hammering, grinding, or using power tools.
- If conventional or contact lenses are needed, keep the prescription up to date. Carry out periodic check-ups.
- No Smoking. If it is done, consult an expert to stop doing it.
- Avoid or limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Control and regulate blood pressure and cholesterol.
- For diabetic patients, follow prescribed treatment and monitor blood glucose.
- Eat foods rich in antioxidants, such as green leafy vegetables.