Do I Have Eye Strain?

Do you feel discomfort in your eyes when driving long distances or performing other activities that include extended focus (reading without pausing)?

Do you look at digital screens two or more hours in a row every day?

Do you have sore, tired, burning or itching eyes?

Do you have watery or dry eyes?

Do you have blurred or double vision?

Do you have a headache (usually mild, located in both temples)?

Do you have tightness in the temples and forehead, brow area, or back of the head, or combinations of all of these?

Do you have sore neck, shoulders or back?

Do you have increased sensitivity to light?

Do you have difficulty concentrating or focusing on images?

Do you have a feeling that you cannot keep your eyes open?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have an eye strain. Eye strain is a common condition that occurs as a result of eye fatigue from intensive use. You may feel eye strain while driving a car to distant destinations or after staring at a computer screen or other digital device for a long time. Eye strain can be uncomfortable, but usually it is not a serious condition and may disappear once you rest your eyes. Eye strain does not usually cause permanent eye damage. Eye strain can sometimes be the result of some sort of underlying eye problem that needs to be treated.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have an eye strain. Eye strain is a condition characterized by a group of symptoms that occur after extended use of the eyes. Symptoms develop when you concentrate intensely on a visually demanding task. At that moment, you unconsciously strain the muscles of your eyelids, temples and face. If this lasts for a long time, you will feel discomfort due to excessive use of these muscles. Also, most people blink less than usual when performing visually demanding tasks, so the surface of the eyes is less moist and symptoms of dry eyes can appear.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have an eye strain. Eye strain (asthenopia) is an eye condition that occurs when your eyes become tired from intense use. Nowadays, the most common cause of eye strain is the use of computers. You may have fatigue, pain in or around your eyes, headaches and vision problems. Diagnosing is based on an eye examination which also includes vision testing. Treatment involves changing daily habits, which can include limiting the time you spend in front of a computer screen, resting your eyes by looking away from the digital screen, or wearing glasses prescribed for certain activities.