Feeling tired and strained eyes is quite common and usually happens after spending a lot of time looking at screens, driving for long distances, or reading for a while. Typical symptoms include itching, a burning sensation, and drooping eyelids.
The best way to deal with tired eyes is to give them a break and rest.
If you’ve spent a lot of time staring at screens, you’ve probably experienced tired eyes or eye strain. Eye strain, also known as asthenopia, can be caused by prolonged screen use, long drives, lack of sleep, incorrect eyeglass prescriptions, and being extremely tired.
With the rise of computers and smartphones, more people are experiencing eye strain. Spending long periods looking at screens with high brightness, reading without breaks, and long drives are the most common causes of eye strain and tired eyes.
Causes of Eye Fatigue
In today’s world, spending too much time looking at screens, whether it’s on smartphones, laptops, tablets, or TVs, is the main reason for tired eyes. Work habits also contribute significantly to eye fatigue.
Here are some common reasons for eye strain:
1. Too Much Screen Time
Spending excessive time staring at screens can lead to digital eye strain. When we look at screens, our eyes work harder to focus, and we tend to blink less, causing tears to evaporate faster. These tears protect the eyes, and their faster evaporation can lead to discomfort.
Special glasses with lenses designed to reduce eye strain are available and can be helpful for people who spend long hours working on computers.
2. Long-Distance Driving
Driving for long periods puts a strain on the eyes. During driving, there’s intense focus on observing traffic, constantly tracking movement, and reading road signs. These activities contribute to eye strain.
While driving may not seem physically exhausting, it brings its own form of fatigue. If you feel eye strain while driving, it’s best to pull over and rest your eyes to avoid accidents.
3. Sustained Reading
Reading small print for extended periods without breaks can also tire out the eyes. Opting for larger print books and taking breaks while reading can help reduce eye strain and fatigue.
Symptoms of Tired Eyes
The signs of tired eyes and eye fatigue can differ from person to person and depending on how bad it is. Here are the most common symptoms:
- – Sore eyes
- – Irritated eyes
- – Trouble focusing on things
- – Dry eyes
- – Watery eyes
- – Blurry vision
- – Feeling dizzy
- – Struggling to concentrate
- – Seeing double
- – Sensitivity to light
- – Body aches, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back
- – Feeling less productive
Ways to Help Ease Tired Eyes
Dealing with tired eyes can make daily tasks challenging. Taking care of your eyes is crucial, and here are some practical tips to help ease tiredness:
1. Get Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep can greatly contribute to tired eyes. It can make them feel sore, heavy, and irritated, and even lead to redness and dark circles. 7-8 hours is a good quality sleep you need. Avoid screens like TVs, phones, and tablets before bedtime, as they can disrupt your sleep. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is all you need to help regulate body’s internal clock.
2. Stay Hydrated
Not drinking enough water and being dehydrated can lead to fatigue, lack of concentration, and dry eyes. Adults should aim for about 8 glasses of water per day to stay hydrated, which can also help alleviate tired eye symptoms.
3. Compresses
Using either a warm or cold compress can help relieve tired eyes. Some prefer cold in the morning and warm in the evening. A cold compress in the morning can refresh your eyes after a poor night’s sleep, while a warm one in the evening can relax them, especially if you have dry eyes.
4. Work
Extended screen time, especially on computers, can strain your eyes. If you can’t take long breaks, try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps alleviate tiredness and is beneficial for dry eyes too.
5. Need Glasses?
Eye strain from not wearing prescribed glasses or contact lenses can tire your eyes. If you’re supposed to wear them but don’t, start wearing them and notice the difference.
Also, if it’s been over 2 years since your last eye exam, schedule one. Incorrect prescriptions or undiagnosed vision issues can strain your eyes even more.
6. Using Hemorrhoid Creams
Some people apply over-the-counter creams meant for hemorrhoids under their eyes. These creams contain ingredients like phenylephrine, which narrow blood vessels to reduce swelling.
However, be cautious when using these products as they may cause irritation in the sensitive eye area.
7. Caffeine
Caffeine is known to constrict blood vessels, which can help reduce under-eye puffiness. Many cosmetic companies offer eye creams containing caffeine for this purpose. You can also try placing chilled tea bags (preferably caffeinated black tea) on closed eyes to help alleviate puffiness.
Prevention
There are several ways to prevent eye fatigue and reduce overall strain on your eyes. Here are some helpful tips:
1. Reduce Screen Time
Cutting back on how much time you spend looking at digital screens can help lessen eye strain. If your job requires screen time, try to avoid additional screen use during your off time, if possible.
2. Take Breaks
If you’re working on screens for a long time, take regular breaks. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something at least 20 feet away. This helps relax your eye muscles.
3. Adjust Font Size
When using a computer or reading on a digital device, increasing the font size can ease eye strain.
4. Control Lighting
Ensure you have proper lighting when working or reading to reduce eye fatigue and strain.
Eye strain and fatigue can be caused by certain activities or spending prolonged periods in environments with poor lighting.
5. Long-Term Strategy
If you frequently experience tired eyes, it’s important to change your habits and environment. Symptoms can worsen over time unless you make lifestyle changes to rest your eyes more frequently.
The best approach to dealing with eye strain is to give your eyes regular breaks and limit activities that strain them unnecessarily.
Choosing the Right Doctor
The eye area is delicate, and improper procedures can lead to serious complications. It’s important to find a highly experienced, board-certified surgeon who specializes in treating eyelid issues.
