Eyestrain: causes, symptoms, and remedies
Asthenopia, also known as eye strain, includes a series of disorders related to excessive eye use. With the spread of electronic devices, its incidence has significantly increased: 64–90% of computer users and 71.3% of dry eye patients experience asthenopia symptoms.
What are the causes of eye strain?
The main risk factors are astigmatism, focusing disorders, inadequate lighting, and prolonged use of electronic devices. Myopia and dry eyes are also often accompanied by eye strain.
How to recognize eye strain?
Clinical symptoms of asthenopia include:
- Burning, irritation, dry eyes, and tearing
- Temporary blurred vision or double vision when reading
- Eye pain and soreness
- Easy fatigue and headache
- Loss of concentration and memory
Why does eye strain occur?
During blinking, the eyelids distribute the tear film over the ocular surface, ensuring its hydration. Prolonged computer use reduces blinking frequency, alters tear composition, and increases ocular inflammation, compromising the balance of the eye's surface and causing visual disturbances.
How to combat eye strain?
Dry eye is one of the main causes of eye strain related to electronic devices. The most effective strategies include:
- Use of lubricating eye drops and artificial tears
- Maintaining a normal blinking rhythm
- Improving contact lens comfort
- Using filters to shield blue light from electronic devices
- Correcting refractive errors