As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga in Hixson, one of the most common questions Dr. Heather McBryar often encounters […]
Asthenopia is a condition in which you experience symptoms such as eye strain and blurry vision. It is a common issue which many people experience, especially those who spend a lot of time looking at digital screens. Learn more about this condition and how to relieve your discomfort.
Asthenopia is that feeling you may get where your eyes feel sore, achy, or tired. It is often experienced after spending an extended period of time looking at a computer or phone screen. Long periods spent reading, driving, or working on an intricate project can also cause asthenopia (essentially anything requiring long periods of focus from your eyes.
This occurs because of prolonged use of the muscles which control the movement of your eyes, and pupils.
Someone who has dry eyes or suffers from a vision problem and doesn’t use corrective lenses to correct problems like farsightedness, nearsightedness, or presbyopia, may be more likely to experience asthenopia.
In addition to the obvious fatigue due to eye strain, asthenopia can cause several other symptoms. These include:
You may also experience shoulder or neck pain since the physical positions which lead to eye strain can also strain certain muscles.
Very often, you will notice the symptoms of asthenopia yourself, though at times you might not notice them until you take a break from the activity causing the eye strain.
The effects of asthenopia generally only last for a short period, but they can linger for as long as a few hours. If this occurs often, it is advisable to consult with our eye doctor to try and determine if there is an underlying cause, or if there is something you can do to alleviate the symptoms. A comprehensive vision exam will detect if there is more going on than simple eye strain.
Frequent bouts of eye strain can lead to future instances that may see the symptoms develop faster, more often, and for longer periods.
Eye strain typically doesn’t cause any permanent damage or negatively affect your vision, but it can be troublesome enough to lower your quality of life, especially if you tend to spend a great deal of time looking at screens.
In most cases, simply giving your eyes a rest and generally taking care of them will minimize and alleviate your eye strain.
You can also try adjusting the brightness of your computer or phone screens, or adjusting the overall light level in the room.
However, if there is an underlying cause leading to regular eye strain, then treating that condition will be the key to preventing further regular eye strain. If your eye strain is being caused by something like farsightedness or nearsightedness, then wearing the proper corrective lenses should mitigate the effects. If it is dry eye causing your asthenopia, then treating that condition should similarly relieve your eye strain.
Limiting your time in front of a screen and taking breaks, or sitting a bit further back from the screen, will relieve some of the stress on your eye muscles.
Vision therapy, performed by neuro-optometrists, can also be an effective treatment for asthenopia. It can help treat some underlying problems which may cause regular asthenopia, and, by improving your vision skills to better control eye movement, you can learn to prevent your eyes from straining as much.
Aesthenopia is a relatively common problem which has become more prevalent as we spend more time in front of screens. While it is a relatively minor condition, it can still have a negative impact on your quality of life, and should be addressed. If you are experiencing frequent symptoms of asthenopia,Book an Appointment to schedule a vision evaluation exam.
Vision therapy is well worth the response, time and effort. Our Son had a hard time focusing and writing neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time if previously took. His abilities to focus improved greatly and so did his handwriting.
Also, he was better at listening. As a parent, we wanted learning to be fun for our Son, and vision therapy made this possible.
Vision Therapy is well worth the expense, time and effort. Our son had a hard time focusing handwriting neatly. After vision therapy Seth could complete a task in half the time it previously took his abilities to focus and improved greatly and so did his handwriting.
Also, he was better at listening. As a parent you wanted learning to be fun for our son and vision therapy made this possible.
Vision Therapy has given or son the tools he needs to be able to scan and read the written word more effectively and efficiently.
He love working with John and these working sessions give him the motivation to gladly work on his homework assignments.
It amazed us to see the difference in the tracking of his eyes and along a line of it's from the beginning to the end of the treatment.
Dr. McBryar , Kristen and John are all marvelous and we would recommend them to anyone I only wish that we would have found them sooner!
Prior to coming to the institute for vision development my son complained of daily headaches. Therapy has eliminated his headaches completely. I love knowing my son is able to learn pain-free for the rest of his life because of the work that has been done over just a few weeks in this office. He he absolutely loved coming that didn't even feel like going to a doctor or therapy. We are grateful for the relief he was able to find by coming here.
Thank you!
Seems much less frustrated with life
Reads non-stop and fast
Spelling abilities have been hugely improved
Seems much more confident
Thank You!!!
When we first came to the practice, my son did not have huge issues, but lots of small ones- trouble with reading, sports (hitting the baseball consistently), coordination, etc- that were not easily detectable,but when put together presented issues. The staff here were all very professional and loving towards him. While I was concerned in the reading, my son was concerned with the athletic side. Seeing improvement night off the bat gave him confidence that i have nor seen in him and made him want to not only Come to therapy, but also made him want to work hard. He has surpassed his grade level and above in reading and hit his first home run this year! Thank you!!!
As an optometrist at Amplify EyeCare Chattanooga in Hixson, one of the most common questions Dr. Heather McBryar often encounters […]
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