Eye Strain Symptoms

Headaches are not fun for anyone. However, unfortunately headaches are a part of everyday life. People experience them for all different reasons- while some feel the pain in their heads due to a cold or flu, others get headaches due to stress, hangovers, dehydration and thousands of other conditions. However, if they are occurring after a long time looking at a computer, then there is a chance that you are suffering from eye strain headaches.

Don't worry - this form of headache is hardly ever serious and quite preventable and treatable. Although there is no actual medical cure for eye strain headaches, there are ways to avoid them and the other symptoms that accompany them.

Strain on the eyes is a common problem for anyone who stares at a certain task for a long time. For example reading textbooks, working on a computer and driving for an extensive length of time can all be the cause of eye strain. It's possible to get this type of strain at the office, at home in front of the television and while participating in your everyday situations.

Many people may be suffering from eye strain and don't realize it. That's why we have made the check list below of symptoms to see if you are being affected.

Symptoms of Eye Strain

• Do you suffer from sore or tired eyes? If your eyes feel droopy or hurt to blink, then you could be suffering from eye strain. Sore and tired eyes in the most common complaint when it comes to strain on your eyes.
• Are your eyes dry, itchy or burning? Another common symptom includes dry eyes. Because those concentrating on a task for a long time will usually blink five times less than normal, your eyes can become quite dry. Often an artificial tear drop medication can help with this.
• Do you have watery eyes causing blurred vision? Another symptom is the complete opposite of dry eyes- watery eyes. Although they may not itch or burn, they can be incredibly annoying.
• Do you suffer from blurry vision when you do look away from the screen? If you continue to see the shapes and images on the computer screen, even when you look away, then don't worry- you are not slowly going crazy- this is a symptom of eye strain.

Other Eye Strain Symptoms to Look for

• Apart from the vision and eye concerns, you may also experience headaches at work, as mentioned above. These are classified as eye strain headaches and may be accompanied by any of the other symptoms listed.
• Do you find your eye are more sensitive to light and have problems with color fringes? This is a good indication that you have been staring at the television or computer screen for too long.
• Finally, do you have a sore or stiff neck? Finally, do you have a sore or stiff neck? This is yet another symptom of strain on your eyes.

In most instances, if any of these symptoms present themselves while working or at home, it's best to give your eyes a rest and get away from the computer screen/television/etc.

Lindsay Pollard is the co-creator of computer eye strain software ScreenRest that provides you relief from the eye strain, blurred vision, tired eyes and headaches that are caused by prolonged computer usage. Discover more about eye strain symptoms, their causes, and how to avoid them.