As you close the computer for the day, you look around you. But much to your horror, you make out anything. Everything is blurry. To make matters worse, your eyes feel uncomfortable dry, and irritated.
When you wake up the next day, you don’t feel much better. You can’t get much work done between your blurry right eye and a headache.
Is this a reason for concern? And how do your deal with this unpleasant condition? Luckily, we have all the answers. In this article, we’re going to tell you about the top 6 reasons which cause muscle eyestrain in one or both eyes.
My eyes feel heavy and tired all the time every day.
If your eyes feel heavy and tired all the time, it likely results from your lifestyle. Although this condition can be a nuisance, it’s rarely a reason for concern.
Our eye muscles work just the same as any other. Thus, they can become fatigued by prolonged use.
You might experience this if you focus on one task for too long. It might be reading or writing. However, digital screens can worsen this condition. If you work on the computer, that’s probably the main reason your eyes feel heavy and tired all the time.
Fortunately, you can deal with this obnoxious condition. We discuss the possible solutions in later sections of this article.
What is eyestrain?
Eyestrain occurs when your eyes become tired after certain activities. If you’ve ever driven long distances, you might have experienced it. But this can happen to you at home too if you spend too much time behind the computer.
Eyestrain isn’t an illness – it’s simply an umbrella term for several symptoms. These can range from dry eyes to severe migraines. Each person might suffer from different symptoms.
Luckily, eyestrain doesn’t cause any permanent damage. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t uncomfortable. This debilitating condition can make it harder for you to focus on work.
6 common eyestrain causes you should know about
1. Dry air
Dry air affects not only your breathing but also your eyesight. Air conditioners, heaters, and fans can all suck up moisture from your room. This cause often accompanies those we mentioned below.
2. Stress
When you’re tired and stressed, you won’t be able to focus properly. It can impair your vision.
3. Vision-related issues
People with refractive errors and vision-related diseases might be more sensitive to these symptoms.
4. Digital screen exposure
It probably goes without saying that digital screen exposure is a reason why your eyes will get tired.
5. Driving for long periods
When you drive, you have to focus on one task. If you do this for too long, your eyes might become tired.
6. Reading for too long.
Reading is a focus-heavy activity. Without taking breaks, you’re very likely to experience these symptoms.
Although your eyes may feel strained for several reasons, it mostly results from using digital devices. Digital screens force us to focus our vision on a single point. As a result, we start blinking less. As our eyes become drier, other symptoms appear.
However, digital screens don’t have a monopoly on eyestrain. It can result from any activity that involves focus. Reading a book or driving a car for too long might also tire your eyes.
Your environment can also contribute to this condition. Dry air or overly bright room are both common causes.
10 signs to look for
Odds are you’ll recognize eyestrain when it happens to you. But just to clarify, we’ve included the 10 most common signs to look for. While dryness, blurry visions, and migraines are most common, you might experience additional symptoms.
Below is a list of the 10 frequent signs of eyestrain. Although not a diagnosis, it might help you determine the nature of your vision problems.
- Dry eyes
We’ve all experienced dry eyes. It certainly isn’t a pleasant feeling. We tend to blink less when we stare at a screen for too long. Thus, our eyes get less moisture. It often starts a cascade of additional symptoms.
- Headaches
Headaches sometimes accompany the other symptoms.
- Blurred vision
You’ll have a much harder time focusing on anything with tired eyes. Your vision will likely become blurry until the symptoms pass.
- Irritated eyes
When our eyes become dry, blinking becomes much harder. It can often feel irritating or even painful. This symptom is visible too. If you look in the mirror, they might seem red.
- Watery eyes
Your body might try to cope with your dry eyes. It does so by releasing more tears. However, this can make them very watery. These excess tears can make it hard for you to focus on work.
- Pain in the neck, shoulder, or back
Eyestrain usually occurs when we stare at something for too long. At the same time, we don’t move our necks and shoulders. It can lead to stiffness or even pain.
- Double vision
If you think blurry vision is bad, wait till you experience double vision. It usually happens when the muscles become too fatigued.
- Eyes too sensitive to light
Sometimes called photophobia, light sensitivity can be very startling. When you stop working on the computer, you can find other light sources very blinding.
- Trouble with reading
Reading can exercise your muscles, but focusing on a book with these symptoms is difficult. Whether your eyes are too dry or teary, they won’t appreciate being put to work.
- It’s hard to focus
Apart from reading, these symptoms might also prevent you from doing other tasks. It extends mostly to chores that require clear vision. Cooking or applying make-up might become impossible for you.
