SOME SYMPTOMS OF EYE STRAIN INCLUDE- Headache, a
sign of stress or emotional distress, or it can result from a medical disorder,
such as migraine or high blood pressure, anxiety, or depression. Blurry Vision,
loss of sharpness of eyesight, making objects appear out of focus and hazy. Irritated eyes that may be red or feel dry.
Neck strain, an injury to the muscles and tendons that support and move the head
and neck.
CAUSES OF EYE STRAIN INCLUDE; The daily use of the digital screen for several hours at a time (The Vision Council reports that 87
percent of those in the United States use one or more digital devices in two
hours a day ) The Report states that 76.5 percent of American children are looking
at the screen for more than two hours a day. These children may experience the
effects of eye strain or other conditions as a result of this digital device
exposure. Other common causes of eye strain include; Focusing on a single task
for a long time for a long length of time like reading, Being in an
inadequately lit environment, either too dim or too bright. Feeling stressed or
tired, Experiencing poor vision or eye
problems like dry eyes. Holding a digital device too far or too close to your eyes. Viewing
a screen that doesn’t have properly adjusted lighting
SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT EYE STRAIN; Look
away frequently – Eye strain occurs when
you engage in a single activity for a long period of time without a break. You
should shift your focus to something
other than the activity every 20 minutes
What you focus on should be 20 feet away and you should look at it for at least 20 seconds. Position your
screen –Make sure you are looking at your digital device at the correct
distance and in the proper position. The screen should be a few feet away from
your eyes, or about arm’s length. You should view the screen at the level of
your eyes slightly below them. Find the right light –Lighting can cause eye strain.
It can either be too dim or too bright, depending on the activity. The light should come from behind you if you are
focusing intensely on something like reading. Dimming the lights may help
reduce eye strain when watching T.V make sure the screens that you’re viewing are
adequately lit as well. Wear proper eyewear-Consult your doctor to
determine to need special eyewear to reduce eyestrain, You may
even specialized lenses, devices, or eye therapy for the activity that causes
strain. Certain coatings and tints for lenses may help your eyes, or you may find that you need to cut the wear contact lenses to help
rest your eyes. If you experience eye strain that is severe or lasts a long
time, discuss the condition with your doctor. You may need corrective lenses, or
it could be a symptom of a more serious condition.
WHO’S AT RISK FOR EYESTRAIN; Spending a great amount
of time on a focused activity puts you at risk for eyestrain. You may have an
increased risk for eyestrain if you work on the computer as a part of your job
.Children who spend lengthy amounts of time on digital devices may also
experience eyestrain or other conditions, such as irritability or behavior
problems.
Maintaining your eye health is key to reducing more
serious vision problems in the future. You should see your doctor annually to
have your eyes checked, especially if you experience frequent or long-lasting
eyestrain. If you find out you have symptoms of eyestrain, implement some
methods to reduce eyestrain or prevent it altogether. If you find that these
approaches don’t help you eyestrain, consult your doctor.