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Identifying and Understanding Vision Strain

Identifying and Understanding Vision Strain

Eye Strain involves everyday people on a daily basis. Due to excessive computer use and regular exposure to bright light many people are strained on a continual basis without even knowing. It can range from mild to severe. Normal and everyday activities can cause some form of eye problem. Studies have revealed that vision problems and symptoms are the most regularly occurring health issue among Video Display Terminals users. In order to fully understand how the eye strain affects you, you must first understand what eye strain is and its symptoms. Our eyes have been created to focus between different distances in which we view objects. Almost all of us end up focusing more on a closer focal point in the course of our work habits and hobby activities, such as reading, focusing closely to the image etc, especially with poor lighting, making straining our eyes continual or excessive.

 

Eye Strain

When your eyes become tired or over worked from constant and intense usage, Asthenopia, more commonly referred to as eye strain, can occur. Asthenopia is the medical term for a state of the eye where weakness or fast fatigue normally comes with headaches, pain and vision trouble. It is the discomfort that usually comes from refractive eye error, weak eye muscles or excessive use.

Certain activities that are performed for an extended period of time can lead to strain, including reading, watching television, using the computer excessively, driving and exposing eyes to bright or poor light conditions. While resting the eyes usually improves the condition, a strain is not a permanent condition, but it is difficult and uncomfortable. Of course there are some factors that can cause strain to the eyes that cannot be avoided. There are three different kinds of eye strain. Eye problems such as accommodation and refractive errors or problems need to be corrected by your eye care professional. Poor environment conditions such as glare and a poor workstation setup can be solved with workplace ergonomics. The last kind of eye strain is directly related to typography, simply defined as the appearance of printed characters on a page.

Causes and Symptoms

The common symptoms a person experiences with eye strain are:

• Tired, sore, burning or itching eyes

• Red, Watery or dry eyes

• Blurred vision, constant blinking, squinting

• Headache

• Heightened sensitivity to light

Symptoms of eye strain are a sign of a possible eye condition that is much more serious and needs medical attention, thus making it imperative to see your eye care professional immediately if the temporary resting of the eyes does not relieve the symptoms of eye strain and or are constant. Because one's vision may have changed and the eyes are continually straining to see clearly, eye strain is sometimes an indication that eye glasses or contact lenses are needed. A strain could simply indicate one is fatigued or eyes are tired. Despite the causes, it is best to identify the issue and learn how to remedy it.

Remedies and Prevention

Simple adjustments to one's habit and environments can help relieve or even prevent strain to the eyes. While performing tasks that often lead to eye strain, the position and intensity of lights usually play a large role in reducing it. If reading or working up close to intermediate focal lengths, an individual should position the light source behind them and face the light directly onto the focal point.. This prevents the light from shining directly into the individual's eyes and causing unnecessary strain.

Watching the television is another activity that often causes strain to the eyes. If watching the television in the dark, the contrast between the television screen and the surrounding environment is difficult for the eyes. It is best in keeping the rooms light on while viewing the television screen to assist in eliminating the occurrence of strain to the eyes.

Mindful tips to help reduce or eliminate eye fatigue:

• Focus eyes in a different direction every 15 to 30 minutes and wear proper prescribed spectacles as advised by your eye care professional if recommended.

• Wear sunglasses to protect against ultraviolet rays and reduce poor bright light conditions.

• Have proper coatings and tints recommended by your eye care professional added to your spectacles.

• Use artificial preservative free lubricant drops and blink to prevent eyes from becoming dry.

• Taking frequent breaks from vision related work.

 

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

With a majority of the population having a desk job, sitting behind a computer is the most common cause of eye strain, one of the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome. According to a study by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in America, more than 90% of those surveyed reported eye strain and other visual problems associated with regular computer use. Looking at the words, numbers and images on a computer screen for a few hours each day is likely to cause strain to the eyes. For the average working person, three hours is only a third of the working day.

Those who suffer from eye strain due to Computer Vision Syndrome can easily make some changes to reduce the symptoms. An individual can begin by setting up the work area to fit his or her needs. Sitting directly in front of the computer screen, approximately 20 to 24 inches away, an individual should position his or her chair at a height where his or her eyes are level with the top of the monitor and are able to look beyond it.

Keep in mind your eye care professional may recommend spectacles that can help reduce your eye strain at your computer with special style lenses and or coatings and tints. Some of the lenses include one's set at certain distance that can accommodate both intermediate and near or far and intermediate, while others are set for one distance only.

 

Recommendations

It is strongly recommended to visit your eye care professional to properly asses your vision needs whether it be short term or long. An annual exam with your eye doctor will help establish a healthier and happier you as you now will "see" clearly.

 

By: Monty Miani, ABOC, FNAO, OAA

About the Author

Monty Miani, ABOC, FNAO, OAA

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