Computer User Eye Exams

What are the symptoms of eyestrain?

Eyestrain, also called Asthenopia, signs and symptoms include:

• Sore, tired, burning or itching eyes.
• Watery or dry eyes.
• Blurred or double vision.
• Headache.
• Sore neck, shoulders or back.
• Increased sensitivity to light.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Feeling that you cannot keep your eyes open.

Eye strain, can be unpleasant and disruptive to your ability to concentrate and work. The symptoms of eyestrain may lead to physical fatigue, decreased productivity, increased numbers of work errors, and anxiety.

When you work at a computer, your eyes have to focus and refocus all the time. They move back and forth as you read. You may have to look down at papers and then back up to type. Your eyes react to images constantly moving and changing, shifting focus, sending rapidly varying images to the brain. All these jobs require a lot of effort from your eye muscles. And to make things worse, unlike a book or piece of paper, the screen adds contrast, flicker, and glare. What’s more, it is proven that we blink far less frequently when using a computer, which causes the eyes to dry out and blur your vision periodically while working.

Working adults aren’t the only ones affected. Kids who stare at tablets or use computers during the day at school can have issues, too, specially if the lighting and their posture are less than ideal.

If you are experiencing eye strain, call us at (800) 983-4933 or schedule an appointment for a complete eye examination.

We can prescribe special lenses, anti-reflection surface coatings and tints that make computer use much easier on your eyes.