Asthenopia, commonly known as eyestrain (as-the-no-pia: fatigue of eyes) is caused mainly due to prolonged near work, leading to fatigue of eyes.
Management of asthenopia:
Adjust the lighting: Keep your light source behind you while you are working close work. And you have to look at the light falling directly on the work. If you are working or reading at a desk, it is best to have a lamp shade on the light. The house should be kept dim or soft light while watching television or any digital screen. Bright light and excessive glare can strain your eyes and make it difficult to see your screen objects. Place an anti-glare cover on over of the screen to reduce bright light.
Take brake: Asthenopia occurs when your eyes are focused on something for a long time without breaking. If you’re reading, using a computer, or driving, it’s important to give rest your eyes. Take occasional breaks while working continuously and blink your eyes.
Limit screen time: This is very important for children. They do not easily remove the eyes from the digital screen. As a result eye strain starts. So, you have to set alarm for limit time for relax the eyes.
Regular blink your eyes: Many people blink less while working on the computer and it can lead to dry eye. Blinking produces tears and refresh eyes. Make it a habit to blink more when looking at the digital screen.
Adjust your computer display settings: Always keep your screen clean. The fingerprints on the screen and the dirty screen lead to strain in your eyes. The brightness of the display must be adjusted with the surrounding environment. Adjust the text size and contrast for comfortable. Sit 25 inches away from the computer screen and the screen should be kept downward. Use matte screen filter Blur light filter to reduce glare.
Improve your space’s air quality: To keep the eye well, air quality needs to be improved. You can use ventilator, thermostat, humidifier for good air quality. The thermostat reduces bowing air and avoids smoking. Humidifier prevents dry eye. Avoid blowing air directly into your face.
20-20-20 rule: Nowadays screen time is a big problem. Most of the time people look at the digital screen. And you also spend time looking at digital screen like television smart phone computer.
People usually blink around 15 times per minute. When looking at the screen, this number becomes half times. Eye strain occurs when you look at the screen for a long time. But the 20-20-20 rule helps you to use digital screen.
According to the rule Spending every 20 minutes using a screen, you should try to see something 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. It takes about 20 seconds for your eyes to relax completely. Set alarm every 20 minutes to brake.
Drinking water and green tea: You need to drink water to keep the body hydrated. Drink green tea at break time. Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins that can help your eyes make tears for better lubrication.
So, the eyes are not dry and keeps the eyes healthy.
Slash cold water: Slash your eyes with cold water to remove eye strain and fatigue. Cold water regulates blood circulation and relaxes muscles. For extra moisture you can rub ice cube on the eyes. This is a very quick and easy method to reduce eye strain and fatigue.
Wear proper eye ware: Eye strain occurs when proper glass or contact lenses are not used. Must use proper eyewear. You can use certain coatings and tints. They are good for the eyes. Use UV protecting sunglasses in the sun light. Sometimes give brake your eyes from the use of glass or contact lens. When you using contact lenses, clean your hands and maintain hygiene.
Eye exercises: Occasionally stop working to remove eye strain and warm your palm by rubbing both hands. Place the warm palm on the eyes for 30 seconds and repeat this process three to five times. It increases the blood circulation in the eyes and relaxes the eye muscles. This therapy relaxes the eyes and prevents eye strain. There are a variety of eye exercises that relieve the eye strain.
Use eye drops: Use lubricating drop to get relief from dry eye. Lubricating eye drops keep your eyes moisturized.
Correction for vision problems: If your eye strain is a major problem then it maybe a vision problem. So, make an appointment for an eye examination with an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Asthenopia is not a serious problem. Everyone should be aware and do regular eye check up by optometrist or ophthalmologist.
