Signs & Symptoms of Eye Fatigue

Eye fatigue or eye strain, sometimes called aesthenopia, is the overuse of the muscles in the eye. The main parts of the eye that can become fatigued are the ciliary body (the tissue just behind the iris) or one of six muscles that control the eye's movement: medial rectus (moves the eye inward), lateral rectus (moves the eye outward), superior rectus (moves the eye upward), inferior rectus (moves the eye downward), superior oblique (rotates top of eye toward the nose) and inferior oblique (rotates top of eye away from nose).

Causes of Eye Fatigue

• Female Eyes

  When the eye focuses on one thing to long, fatigue can set in. Therefore, any prolonged period of reading, looking at the glare or brightness of the computer or watching television at a close distance can cause eye fatigue. Additional causes of eye fatigue are working in poor lighting and direct glare from sunlight or indoor light.

Signs and Symptoms

• Eye fatigue can cause headaches.

  There are a variety of eye fatigue signs and symptoms, with the most obvious being the eyes becoming dry, irritated or uncomfortable. Other signs and symptoms include but are not limited to headaches, dizziness and blurred or double vision.

Eye Fatigue Treatment

• Eye chart and eye glasses

  Eye fatigue can be treated in various ways. Close your eyes or take a break from what you are focusing on, in order to give your eyes proper rest. Practice eye exercises such as blinking, which can relieve tight eye muscles. Make sure the computer or television screen is slightly near eye level. Use an anti-glare screen for the computer. Adjust the brightness or contrast on your screen if it is too dim or too bright. Make sure that your screen is clear of glare from sunlight. Moisturize the eyes with over-the-counter eye drops. Wear sunglasses when outdoors. If eye fatigue symptoms persist, see an ophthalmologist, who can determine if you will need vision correction such as glasses, contact lenses or eye surgery.