by Visual fatigue, in most cases it is not serious, it consists of the tiredness suffered by the eyes due to the intense and prolonged use of sight. This can happen when you spend a lot of time in front of digital screens such as cell phones, computers, tablets, etc.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit organization dedicated to clinical practice, education, and research, the condition clears up when the eye is rested or steps are taken to prevent or lessen the effects on the eye.
Symptoms that may be warning signs of this condition include:
- Sore, tired, burning, or itchy eyes
- watery or dry eyes
- blurred or double vision
- Headache
- Neck, shoulder or back pain
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Difficult to focus
- Feeling like you can’t keep your eyes open
In case of presenting any symptoms, the ideal is to consult a doctor to receive adequate professional attention and obtain a diagnosis and treatment, if necessary.
To prevent visual fatigue, some recommendations should be taken into account:
- Take time to rest your eyes. When reading or in front of a screen, take several minutes to rest so that your eyes don’t get tired.
- Use artificial tears. “Use them even when your eyes are fine to keep them lubricated and prevent a return of symptoms,” recommends the Mayo Clinic.
- Use the glasses according to the need you have. In case of having a diagnosis of myopia, farsightedness, astigmatism, among others, it is important to follow medical recommendations, especially the use of prescribed glasses.
How to take care of eyesight?
Medline Plus explains that eye problems are also caused by bad everyday habits. Therefore, it points out some recommendations to prevent visual deficiencies:
- Wear sunglasses to protect the eyes.
- Wear safety glasses when hammering, polishing, or using power tools.
- If conventional or contact lenses are needed, keep the prescription up to date. Carry out checks periodically.
- No Smoking. If it is done, consult an expert to stop that habit.
- Avoid or limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Control and regulate blood pressure and cholesterol.
- For diabetic patients, follow the prescribed treatment and control blood glucose.
- Eat foods rich in antioxidants, such as green leafy vegetables.
Exercises to prevent eye fatigue
Better with Health, portal specialized in health and personal care, explains the instructions to perform various exercises and avoid eye fatigue. It is important to consult a doctor in case eye fatigue is persistent, despite the performance of these exercises and the preventive measures mentioned above.
It is key to take several minutes to perform these exercises correctly, in order to obtain good results.
Exercise 1
Helps reduce irritation and relax the eyes.
- Close the eyes.
- Rest the palms of the hands on the eyeballs with the fingers on the forehead.
- Apply pressure, without exaggeration, for 3 seconds.
- Breathe deeply and slowly while doing the exercise.
Exercise 2
- Close your eyes and place your thumb in the inner area of the eyes, under the eyebrow and close to the nose.
- Apply gentle pressure, making circular movements for three minutes.
- Do the exercise on both eyes at the same time.
Exercise 3
- Open your eyes and move them circularly, clockwise.
- Perform 5 to 6 laps. Flash each time a lap is completed.
- Do the same repetitions, but in the opposite direction.
