Eye stress symptoms include vision problems, as well as more abstract symptoms like fatigue that people may not immediately connect with eye strain. Evaluation for stress usually involves a doctor's visit and detailed discussion of the symptoms being experienced. If a doctor believes a patient has eye stress, eye exercises and other measures can be recommended to alleviate the stress. This usually includes adjustments to working habits designed to limit stress on the eyes.
People with eye stress may experience blurred vision, trouble shifting focus from nearby objects to distant ones, and itching, burning, or watery eyes. The eyes may feel sore and symptoms like spasms, sensitivity to light, and dryness can be experienced as well. Usually, the eye stress symptoms grow worse during visually intensive tasks.
More generally, eye stress symptoms can include symptoms like headaches, neck pain, and fatigue. These symptoms will become more intense over time if the source of the stress is not identified and addressed. People may notice a decline in the quality of their work, the result of poor visual and mental focus, and sometimes behavioral changes are noted by people around the patient. The fatigue and eye irritation can make people feel short tempered or annoyed.
If eye stress symptoms appear to be developing, there are some steps people can take. Adjusting the work environment to make it as ergonomic as possible is usually helpful; computer screens should be positioned in areas with low glare, for example, and bright lights shouldn't shine directly in the eyes. In addition, it is advisable to do regular eye exercises, including periodically looking away from close visual tasks like reading and using the computer to focus on distant objects. Closing the eyes to rest them can be helpful, as can doing exercises like rolling the eyes. Moving around may be beneficial, as people with eye stress are often seated in the same position for extended periods of time and can develop fatigue as a result of that as well.
Persistent eye stress symptoms may need to be evaluated by a doctor. Patients can get specific advice on modifying their habits and environment to address sources of strain, and a doctor may recommend other steps like using warm compresses on the eyes to ease soreness. Eye stress can become repetitive in nature, exposing patients to the risk of potential complications over time as their eyes are stressed, partially recover, and then become stressed again. Any vision changes, including losing vision, seeing floaters, or experiencing double vision, should be brought up with a doctor.
