Computer Eye Strain: Can Contact Lenses Prevent It?

May 5, 2020 Ofelia Braun Uncategorized 0

Have you ever felt tiredness in your eyes after using your computer or cellphone for a long period of time? That’s asthenopia, commonly known as eye strain. It’s getting more and more common recently since we’re expected to be at home all the time because of the pandemic, forcing most of us to use different types of digital devices to kill time.

Eye strain, in general, is fatigue of the eyes caused by reading books or focusing on computer screens continuously for hours. It happens when you use the muscles that control your eyes’ movements longer than usual. Though eye strain causes discomfort, it doesn’t necessarily lead to serious problems.

What are the symptoms of eye strain?

Eye strain is common to both young and old people because of modern technology. We’re always exposed to mobile phones, televisions, desktop computers, laptops, and the like.

However, some people can also experience eye strain when reading books for it requires them to focus. It’s even possible to experience it if you’re cooking or baking frequently since those activities expose your eyes to varying temperatures.

Without further ado, what are the general causes and symptoms of eye strain?

Eye Strain Causes

Prolonged exposure to digital screens
Reading a book without taking a break
Exposure to wind
Stress or fatigue
Underlying eye problems
Trying too hard to focus on objects in the dark
Exposure to glare or bright light
Doing activities involving intense focus
Long-distance driving

Eye Strain Symptoms

Tired, itchy, or sore eyes
Difficulty in opening your eyes
Difficulty in concentrating
Photophobia
Back, shoulder, or neck pain
Headache
Blurred vision
Excessive dryness in the eyes
Excessive moisture in the eyes

Is eye strain dangerous?

Good news–it’s not!

Strain in your eyes doesn’t normally result in permanent damage. Despite making you feel uncomfortable, it’s something you shouldn’t take too seriously as if you’ll get blind. It’s more of a symptom that you’re already overworking your eyes.

In most cases, straining your eyes is simply caused by extremely focusing on an activity or object for several minutes or hours nonstop. It’s fairly common to those who play games on mobile phones or computers for hours at a time without getting distracted.

Eye strain also doesn’t mean that you’re going to lose your balance or feel a dizzying sensation. However, overstraining your eyes may lead to subconjunctival hemorrhage or bursting of blood vessels in the white section of your eyes. Even if the blood won’t leak into your irises, seek medical attention immediately when you see blood forming.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce or relieve eye strain. For instance, if it’s part of your job to work in front of a computer screen every single day, take breaks regularly to avoid the screen for a while. This will help you relax your eye muscles and ease the ocular fatigue. Sufficient lighting can also help you lessen or ease eye strain, which means overly bright or dim lighting should be avoided.

More importantly, in order to keep track of your overall eye health, a regular eye test is a must.

Contact lenses available:

Contact lenses without prescription

Daily disposable contact lenses

Do contact lenses help with computer eye strain?

Yes and no. There are specialized contact lenses that are engineered to reduce stress in your eyes even if you’re looking at digital screens for hours. They can block or filter blue light and other stressors for the sake of your eyes’ protection.

However, some contact lenses can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your eyes, causing dry eye syndrome. Wearing the wrong type of contact lenses if you have severe dry eyes may easily increase the chance of strain.

How can you treat or minimize eye strain caused by excessive computer use?

Adjust the brightness of your screen. When doing computer work, make sure to pay attention to your screen and surroundings. Match the brightness of your screen to your workspace’s natural light as much as possible. You can also reduce glare by turning off some light fixtures.
Take regular breaks. Avoid the screen occasionally to rest your eye muscles and reduce ocular fatigue. You may also blink more often than necessary to refresh and re-lubricate your eyes. You can also use the 20-20-20 rule: look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds for every 20 minutes of screen time.
Put a limit on screen time. This precaution is especially important for kids who don’t have fully developed eyes yet for extended viewing. They’re more prone to eye strain.
Use eye drops. Eye drops are easily accessible to efficiently prevent or treat dry eyes. They aim to lubricate the eyes to prevent the recurrence of the symptoms. To make sure you’ll use the right kind of eye drops, consult a specialist first. Some of the choices in stores contain preservatives.
Seek better air quality for your office or workspace. As much as possible, avoid your eyes from direct contact with moving air. Wind will only worsen the dryness of your eyes.
Use appropriate eyewear. Prioritize contact lenses or eyeglasses that are specifically designed for computer exposure. Consult an optometrist about tints and coating that may improve the quality of your eyewear.

Conclusion

Eye strain or asthenopia makes the eyes feel really tired. It can also make your eyes dry or blur your vision. It’s usually caused by blue light from digital screens, nonstop reading, and activities requiring deep focus like solving puzzles. Don’t worry; it’s not fatal. It can also be prevented just by wearing appropriate eyeglasses or contact lenses and changing your lifestyle even for just a little bit. Try your best to take a break as much as you can while working.

Where to Buy Contact Lenses for Computer Eye Strain

Contact Lenses 4 Us has a wide range of products for eye strain caused by different factors, especially daily use of computers. Just to give you a few examples, we have the Dailies Total 1, Acuvue® Oasys 1-Day with HydraLuxe™, and Air Optix Aqua Multifocal. Order now for we’re shipping globally and allowing purchases without prescriptions. Feel free to buy brand-new contact lenses right in the comforts of your own home!