Why are my eyes “tired”?
- Posted on: Apr 17 2016
Patients often complain of “tired eyes” to their doctor. Whether it happens at specific points in the day or is brought on by certain activities, tired eyes are a common source of discomfort for many.
Eye fatigue among patients is often accompanied by redness, burning, and tearing. Often, it is brought on by excessive computer use, reading, or writing. Step 1 to treating your tired eyes – get your eyes checked! Having an updated prescription for glasses and contact lenses is important in maintaining ocular comfort when doing a variety of tasks. Your ocular demands change with each activity, and its vital to have the right correction for each task!
Furthermore, follow these steps to alleviate your tired eyes:
Blinking
We underestimate the importance of blinking! When using the computer or ANY digital device (yes, your phone counts!)- our “partial blink rate” increases. The eye does not fully close during these blinks, exposing the cornea and tear film to the environment for longer periods of time. This causes a sense of dryness and discomfort when we use digital devices for extended periods of time. Make sure to consciously blink more!
Anti Reflective Coating
An anti-reflective coating on your glasses reduces glare from your digital devices, allowing your to use them for longer periods of times with greater comfort. Tilting your computer and devices so that light does not reflect off them helps as well.
20-20-20 Rule
Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away, for 20 seconds. This allows the accommodative system of your eye to relax, and reduces the strain you might be feeling on your eyes.
Posted in: Brooklyn Eye Care, Common Eye Conditions
