Eyestrain - Causes, Symptoms And Relief

Eyestrain causes a dull, aching sensation around and behind the eyes that can progress into a generalized headache. It may feel painful or fatiguing to focus the eyes. Eyestrain is commonly a result of overuse of the eyes for activities requiring close and precise focus, such as reading, embroidering, sewing or using the computer! This has become a common problem for people who work or surf the net often. Its important to look away from the screen from time to time and buy one of those UVA filters for you computer, it really helped my eye strain!

Many people believe that eyestrain causes their headaches. This seems possible given the amount of time people spend reading, working on computers, watching TV and playing video games. Although refractory errors may contribute to headaches, other factors such as posture, stress and long periods of concentration may be involved in these types of headaches. Rarely is eyestrain itself the sole cause of headaches.

Signs and Symptoms

Red eyes are an obvious sign that your eyes are tired. This may be redness in the white part of the eye to give a bloodshot appearance or around the edge of the eyelids.

Watery eyes could also be a symptom of eyestrain. It might also be a response to dry eyes that is another common symptom of tiredness.

Another symptom of strain is when it is difficult to adjust your sight from one focal point to another. This often occurs when you have been looking at one object for a long time and then look at something further away. You will be aware that it takes longer to focus on the far object which is a clear sign that your eye is fatigued.

Probably the most common reason people get eye strain is because they concentrate on one object or focal point to too long a period. And the computer screen is the one object that many people spend too much time staring at. It is very simple to avoid computer eye strain by looking away from your computer every 20 minutes of so.

Relieve Eye Strain and Headaches with Acupressure

Cradling the forehead, with finger tips at the hairline and thumb tips at the inner corners of the eyebrows, apply a circular pressure and knead these acu-points. This benefits the eyes and vision, relieves frontal headaches, quells itching and burning in the eyes and may even relieve neck pain.

With eyes closed, use your thumb or forefinger to knead in an up and down motion just above the inner corner of each eye. Knead deeply enough so that light circles are visible on the inner eyelids.

Recommendations

1. Lie down, close your eyes, and place a cold washcloth (compress) over your eyes. Relax for 10 minutes or longer, replacing the compress with a fresh one as necessary. This often helps to alleviate discomfort.

2. Take measures to avoid eyestrain. Try to vary your tasks so that your eyes change focusing distance every so often. When doing close work for prolonged periods, take periodic "focus breaks." Every 20 minutes or so, look away from your work and focus your eyes on something in the distance for a minute or two.

3. Get sufficient sleep. Fatigue promotes eye strain.