Eye strain

Eye strain, tired eyes, and burning eyes

what causes it and how to get relief.

Eye strain can be both painful and irritating. These days, we’re all constantly staring at our smartphones, computer screens, or some type of digital device. After a long day it can lead to tired eyes, burning eyes, making it difficult to work and perform everyday tasks. Find out exactly what causes perceived eye strain, and what you can do to get some relief.

What is eye strain?

Eye strain is eye fatigue that mostly happens due to overexertion. After long periods of reading, working on digital screens or driving far distances without taking a break, you may experience eye strain symptoms such as:

• Eye pain
• Burning eyes
• Severely dry, or even watery eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Tiredness
• Neck, back and shoulder aches (postural pain)
• Eye strain headaches
• Blurry vision
• Double vision
• Eye twitching
• Red and itchy eyes

 

What causes eye strain?

Eye strain is annoying, and it can affect your work and daily life. Luckily there are ways to reduce and limit the discomfort.

 But first, it’s important to understand what causes it:

 Our visual behaviour has changed

Our visual behaviour has drastically changed from what it used to be a few years ago. Studies have shown that we look at smartphones, TV screens or tablets for an average of several hours per day 1, and we often do this while we’re on the move! Checking messages and mails while we’re commuting, walking or running around has become part of our daily lives.