Eye Strain - The Causes and Cures

What Causes Eye Strain?
There are several factors that contribute to the causes of eyestrain. Focusing the eyes on a fixed object for prolonged periods causes the eyes to strain with close viewing being worse than distant viewing. Working in poor lighting also causes the eyes to become more strained.
The direct glare of bright ceiling lights or a sunny window shining into your eyes makes it difficult to see. Eye strain caused by computers is common. Reflected glares of computer screens may also bring about eye strain because the contrast between the image you are viewing and its background are reduced by the reflected light.
This glare makes it harder for your brain to interpret the image which causes you to strain your eyes and your facial and eyes muscles tighten. Too much contrast (the difference in brightness between what is being viewed and its immediate environment) can also lead to eye strain caused by computers.
Eye strain symptoms will not be present when you wake up in the morning nor be accompanied by ultra-sensitivity to light. Eye strain symptoms also tend to worsen when visual tasks like reading are performed. Eye strain caused by computers has become exceedingly common and today eye strain affects mostly computer users.
More than 50% of computer users complain of eye strain symptoms. They stare at a screen for hours a day, usually in one position. People who read a lot, watch television for long periods, spend time outdoors in the glaring sun or drive long distances are also at risk of developing eye strain symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of eye strain are:
Headaches or migraines
Pain in the eye
Red, watery eyes
Blurred or double vision
Dry eyes that feel scratchy
Burning sensation when you close your eyes
Neck aches
Back aches
Aching heaviness of the eyelids or forehead, especially around the eyebrows
Muscle spasm in the muscles surrounding the eyes. Twitch in the eyelid.

Natural treatments such as herbal and homeopathic remedies can also promote healthy vision, strengthen blood capillaries in the eye and prevent eye sensitivity without doing further harm. These remedies are gentle and can help to lubricate the eye, and provide relief when it is needed most. Herbs such as Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry), Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) and Sutherlandia frutescens benefit peripheral circulation and capillary strength. Other remedies you might try are closing your eyes for a few minutes to ease the strain, this is a commonly overlooked home remedy for eye strain.
Practice eye exercises such as blinking or rolling your eyes - blinking moistens the eyes and relieves tight eye muscles.
Take regular breaks to relax eye muscle - occasionally look away from the monitor and focus on a distant object for a few seconds to give your eyes a rest.
Turn up the contrast on your computer screen to minimize eye strain.
Another home remedy for eye strain is to position your computer screen out of the direct glare of the sunlight and use a glare filter on the screen.
Computer monitors and television screens should be positioned at eye level so that you can look down towards it.
When reading, hold your book at least 30 to 40 cm away from your eyes.
Wear sunglasses when driving or outdoors because the ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause you to squint.
Wear a sunhat or baseball cap when outside in the sun to reduce glaring and squinting
While watching television, the lighting of the room should be about 50% dimmer than the screen.
Avoid watching television at an angle or in darkness.
Another home remedy for eye strain consists of sufficient intake of nutritional supplements such as Vitamin A and beta carotene which are good for your eyes and reduce the risk of eye strain.
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Natural Cures For Eye Strain