Screens may be to blame. “Asthenopia” may sound like an obscure country, but it’s actually a common collection of symptoms caused by eye strain. Asthenopia symptoms usually occur after working on a computer or similar eye-straining activity and can include dryness, irritation, pain, temporary double vision, and headaches.
The first and most important treatment for this condition is to just give your eyes a break now and then. Continually staring at a screen (big or small) or papers is not eye friendly, and taking a break for a few minutes each hour can make a big difference. Research has shown that taking 50 minutes worth of short computer breaks a day can reduce asthenopia symptoms without affecting work productivity.
Special films that reduce computer screen glare also help to reduce asthenopia symptoms, as does ensuring your surroundings are bright enough. Your screen should not be brighter than the lighting around you.
Nutrients that can be helpful for eye strain-related symptoms include DHA, bilberry, and lutein. A small study using a combination of these nutrients showed a reduction in asthenopia in only four weeks.
