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Home remedy for eye strain caused by computers to relieve eye strain symptoms.

Eye Strain

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What is Eye Strain?
Diagnosing Eye Strain
What Causes Eye Strain?
Help for Eye Strain
More Information on Eye Strain

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What is Eye Strain?

Eye strain is the discomfort experienced when you focus for prolonged periods that causes your eyes and the eye muscles to tire and become over-used. Your eyes are designed to shift focus between near and distant objects. However, most of our work and recreational tasks have been executed at close proximity.

Visual tasks such as reading, spending hours at the computer or watching television require you to focus and concentrate – and without you realizing it, you are actually placing strain on your eye muscles. The eye muscles tighten and cause your eyes to become dry, irritated and uncomfortable.

Diagnosing Eye Strain

If your eyes are strained or you are sensitive to light, you should visit an optician for an eye examination. Having your vision tested will also rule out any eye disorders and verify whether you need prescription spectacles or contact lenses.

Symptoms of Eye Strain

Headaches or migraines
Pain in the eye
Red, watery eyes
Blurred or double vision
Dry eyes that feel scratchy
Burning sensation when you close your eyes
Neck aches
Back aches
Aching heaviness of the eyelids or forehead, especially around the eyebrows
Muscle spasm in the muscles surrounding the eyes
Twitch in the eyelid

Eye strain symptoms will not be present when you wake up in the morning nor be accompanied by ultra-sensitivity to light. Eye strain symptoms also tend to worsen when visual tasks like reading are performed. Eye strain caused by computers has become exceedingly common and today eye strain affects mostly computer users.

More than 50% of computer users complain of eye strain symptoms. They stare at a screen for hours a day, usually in one position. People who read a lot, watch television for long periods, spend time outdoors in the glaring sun or drive long distances are also at risk of developing eye strain symptoms .

What Causes Eye Strain?

There are several factors that contribute to the causes of eyestrain. Focusing the eyes on a fixed object for prolonged periods causes the eyes to strain with close viewing being worse than distant viewing. Working in poor lighting also causes the eyes to become more strained.

The direct glare of bright ceiling lights or a sunny window shining into your eyes makes it difficult to see. Eye strain caused by computers is common. Reflected glares of computer screens may also bring about eye strain because the contrast between the image you are viewing and its background are reduced by the reflected light.

This glare makes it harder for your brain to interpret the image which causes you to strain your eyes and your facial and eyes muscles tighten. Too much contrast (the difference in brightness between what is being viewed and its immediate environment) can also lead to eye strain caused by computers.

Conditions Related to Eye Strain

There are a number of visual defects that can cause eyestrain and the associated headaches.

One of these is hyperopia, where the light is focused behind the retina and consequently the image is blurred close up. Hyperopia is corrected by spectacles or contact lenses. The opposite of this is Myopia whereby distant objects are blurred.
Astigmatism is another type of visual defect and can accompany either myopia or hyperopia.

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is not a perfect spherical shape so images will be blurred in some areas and clear in others. Astigmatism may cause a blurring of objects at all distances and even a tendency for the person to squint in order to improve vision. Astigmatism is also correctable with spectacles and contact lenses.

Presbyopia is another eye condition that frequently occurs with the ageing process.

Help for Eye Strain

Treat strained eyes by moisturizing them with a variety of over-the-counter eye-drops or artificial tears. Hypoallergenic preparations can also soothe overworked eyes (especially seeing as many eye medications contain harsh ingredients which can have adverse side effects).

Natural Remedies for Eye Strain

Natural treatments such as herbal and homeopathic remedies can also promote healthy vision, strengthen blood capillaries in the eye and prevent eye sensitivity without doing further harm. These remedies are gentle and can help to lubricate the eye, and provide relief when it is needed most. Herbs such as Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry), Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) and Sutherlandia frutescens benefit peripheral circulation and capillary strength as well as daily health.

More Information on Eye Strain

Simple Solutions to Relieve Eye Strain

Close your eyes for a few minutes to ease the strain, this is a commonly overlooked home remedy for eye strain.
Practice eye exercises such as blinking or rolling your eyes - blinking moistens the eyes and relieves tight eye muscles
Take regular breaks to relax eye muscle - occasionally look away from the monitor and focus on a distant object for a few seconds to give your eyes a rest.
Turn up the contrast on your computer screen to minimize eye strain
Another home remedy for eye strain is to position your computer screen out of the direct glare of the sunlight and use a glare filter on the screen
Computer monitors and television screens should be positioned at eye level so that you can look down towards it
When reading, hold your book at least 30 to 40 cm away from your eyes
Wear sunglasses when driving or outdoors because the ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause you to squint
Wear a sunhat or baseball cap when outside in the sun to reduce glaring and squinting
While watching television, the lighting of the room should be about 50% dimmer than the screen
Avoid watching television at an angle or in darkness
Another home remedy for eye strain consists of sufficient intake of nutritional supplements such as Vitamin A and beta carotene which are good for your eyes and reduce the risk of eye strain