Eye fatigue, also called eyestrain, often occurs after the eyes have been focusing intently on a particular subject for a lengthy period of time.
Eye fatigue is a common complaint of people whose jobs involve extensive reading or those who work with video display terminals (VDTs) all day, particularly computers, television screens, or other monitors.
Symptoms of Eye Fatigue
There are several common symptoms of eye fatigue that you may experience. These symptoms include
– Soreness
– Headache
– Blurry vision
– Dry eyes
– Itchy eyes
– Burning eyes
Easing Eye Fatigue
There are several ways that can help reduce eye fatigue and prevent serious vision problems from occurring in the future.
Tips for VDT Users
– Reduce glare by positioning your screen so that it faces away from any windows. If necessary, you can also use a hood or a glare-reduction screen.
– Lessen the strain on your eye muscles by keeping your computer or video screen several inches away from your eyes, at least 18 to 28 inches. Also, make sure your screen isn’t higher than your eye level when you are seated in your chair so you don’t have to strain your eyes upward. If you use a document holder, keep it at the same height as your computer screen.
– Use dimmer lights around your computer or video screen. The dim lighting will help reduce the glare on your screen. It will always make sure the screen easier to read.
– Adjust the brightness and contrast of your screen so that it is most comfortable for your eyes.
– Choose the color for your screen that is easiest on your eyes, if color options are available.
– The smaller the size of the pixels (image dots) on a screen, the easier it will be on your eyes. The speed at which the pixels are refreshed (called the refresh rate) will also affect eye fatigue. If possible, use a refresh rate of 72Hz or higher.
Taking a Rest
It’s important to give your eyes a break when you stare at a screen or printed words all day long. There are simple eye exercises that you can perform every 20 minutes or so to reduce the chance of eye fatigue.
– Change the close-up focus by glancing at objects that will let your eyes focus differently. Glance across the room or look out the window to focus on objects that are at least 20 feet away. Then lightly cover your eyes with your hands and relax for at least a minute.
– Look away from the screen and roll your eyes up and down, side to side, and all around in circles.
Eye Exams
If you have chronic eye fatigue problems, visit your eye care professional to have your eyes examined. You may need to get a prescription for contacts or glasses for seeing things that are close up. If you already have contacts or glasses, your current prescription may need to be updated. Be sure to let your doctor know if your job requires you to work on a computer or video screen.
Anyone who works regularly on a VDT screen should have annual eye exams to make sure you have proper eye health. People who are over age 40 may need to have more frequent checkups
Eye Coverage
Eye fatigue may also be eased by using a warm or cold gel eye mask or patch. You can close your eyes, place the gel mask on top of them, and rest for several minutes to help reduce the strain on your eyes. You can also purchase eye masks that have open holes where your eyes can still see through. This lets you keep working or performing other activities while wearing the protective eyewear.