Say Goodbye to Tired Eyes – 7 Simple Tips to Deal with Eye Fatigue

Have you ever felt that your eyes are so heavy that you cannot keep them open? Or are there moments when you feel a sudden burning sensation in your eyes? Are there times when vision fluctuates when you are working intensely on your computer? These are just some common symptoms of tired eyes. Symptoms can vary but most people may also experience the following:

• Redness or irritation
• Soreness
• Dry eyes or watery eyes
• Blurred or double vision
• Increased sensitivity to light

Generally, tired eyes (eye fatigue) happen after continuous and intense use of your eyes. It is common complaint seen in people who read for hours without rest, and is seen even more frequently in this day and age because of our use of computers and handphones. It is a sign of muscle weariness, very similar to the muscle soreness that you experience after a strenuous body workout.

In addition, we blink less often when we are engrossed in reading and working on our computers. Blinking less means the tear film protecting our eyes dry up more easily, leading to Dry Eye Syndrome. This condition is exacerbated by air-conditioned or windy environments.

Here are some tips to help you prevent or deal with eye fatigue:

1. Apply the 20-20-20 rule when you have to read for long periods of time. This means that for every 20 minutes of near work (reading a book or working on your computer), take a break of 20 seconds by looking up from your work and gazing at a distance of at least 20 feet (6 metres). This will allow tensed eye muscles to relax.
2. Ensure your room is well and evenly lit. Poorly lit environments will put more strain on your eyes.
3. Remind yourself to blink regularly to prevent your eyes from drying out. Better yet, instill a drop of artificial tears in each eye before you start work.
4. Make sure you are wearing glasses with the correct prescription for reading. The prescription for reading a book may be different from that needed for reading from a computer! Consult your optometrist or eye doctor to ensure you have the correct glasses.
5. Sit away from direct blast of the air-conditioner or fan as this will dry out your eyes.
6. Install anti-glare filters on your computer screens to further reduce strain on your eyes.
7. If your symptoms persist or worsen despite these measures, consult your eye doctor to make sure you prescription for your glasses or contact lenses are updated. More importantly, your eye doctor will have to exclude serious eye conditions that may be masquerading as eye strain.