Intense use of eyes can affect your eyes and you could experience eye strain, pain or irritability. Eyestrain is a common condition, usually noticed after intensely focusing on an activity for a prolonged duration. This can range from viewing a computer screen, reading a book or driving a car for a long period of time. It is becoming even more prevalent in this digital age with persistent use of devices like smartphones, computers, tablets day in and day out. This can result in eye discomfort and other problems. Do you also often have pain in your eyes? If yes, here’s how to reduce eye strain.

Symptoms of eyestrain:

Everyone is affected by eye strain differently. The most common signs of eye strain are:

• Eyes that are sore, tired, burning, or itchy
• Painful or irritated eyes
• Dry or watery eyes
• Double or blurry vision
• Headache
• Back, shoulders, or neck pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty focusing and reading
• Feeling unable to maintain eye contact

You may experience one or more of these symptoms if you have eyestrain. However, according to the American Optometric Association, dry eyes, headaches and blurry vision are the most typical signs of eye strain. These symptoms can be managed by employing some eye care tips. But if the pain in your eyes is persistent, you should consult with an eye specialist to help you avoid eye fatigue in the future.

HealthShots reached out to Dr Siddhi Goel, Consultant – Ophthalmology, Asian Hospital Faridabad, to find out ways to reduce eye strain.

Dr Goel says, “Generally, simple, non-invasive methods are enough to treat eyestrain. However, prolonged strain can be an indication of an underlying serious condition. Since every case is different, one should discuss his/her problem with a healthcare provider.”

Here are 7 simple things you can do to help prevent eyestrain:

1. Use the 20-20-20 rule

An easy way to prevent eyestrain is to limit the time spent on a single activity that requires intense focus. The 20-20-20 rule refers to shifting your focus from the activity every 20 minutes to an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Also, make sure to balance your activity with some other things that ask for different uses of your eyes such as taking a short walk during lunchtime if you have been working on a computer the whole morning.

2. Maintain proper distance

It is highly important to maintain the correct distance and a proper position while working on digital devices. The screen should be placed a few feet away from your eyes and ensure viewing the screen at eye level or a little below them. The same applies to digital devices as well.

3. Practice eye yoga

The muscles that support your vision and eyes can be toned and conditioned by performing eye yoga. It can control your stress levels and lessen eye strain. Simple eye yoga exercises include blinking, palming, and stretching your eyes. They can only offer relaxation and strengthen your eyes.

4. Find proper light

Improper light, which is either too dim or too bright, can be a cause of eyestrain. Further, if you are focus on something intensely like reading, the light should come from behind you. Also, ensure the screens being viewed are adequately lit.

5. Make use of eye drops

Viewing a screen intensely for long can result in a dramatic reduction in how many times you blink your eyes in a minute. When you blink less, your eyes turn dry leaving you irritable. Using eye drops like artificial tears can help you resolve the problems. Alternatively, you can try to blink more often when using the screen to prevent recurrence.

6. Close your eyes and rest

If you’re unable to keep your eyes open and they hurt badly, they need rest. In such a situation, simply sit down or lie down and close your eyes. Try to keep your eyes closed, your thoughts relaxed, and as unfocused as possible. For a few minutes, keep doing it, till you start to feel a bit better.

7. Make use of proper eyewear

Work with your doctor to find out if you need special eyewear to reduce eyestrain. Specialized lenses, devices, or eye therapy can work to relax your eyes. Besides, certain tints and coatings for lenses may also be helpful. You may also need to reduce the time you wear contact lenses to allow your eyes to rest.

So ladies, follow these above-mentioned simple tips to prevent straining your eyes and enjoy activities of your choice.