What Causes Tired Eyes?
Feeling groggy but also not looking like you’re alert and energized? You could be suffering from eyestrain, otherwise known as tired eyes. This is a condition that affects a massive amount of people around the world, particularly as we increasingly turn to computer screens and digital input methods to work, learn and play. Tired eyes occur in several ways, including the following:
- Limited sleep / under-sleeping
- Working for long periods in poorly lit conditions (for example: fluorescent lighting)
- Allergies
- Prolonged periods of driving, particularly at night
- Prolonged periods working at a computer (be sure to take frequent breaks!)
- Other activities that require long periods of eye focus/strain
Symptoms of Eyestrain
There are several indicators of tired eyes that you should be aware of to identify when it is occurring. They include redness and irritation, overly dry or watery eyes (the latter can sometimes be confused with or tied to allergies), and blurred vision. In addition, sensitivity to light and the presence of migraines/sinus pressure around the eyes can occur. Back, neck and shoulder pain are other symptoms, as is a heavy feeling that resembles a “sucking” sensation in the eyes, the latter of which can create a tunnel vision effect and impede upon your mental focus.
Physical Dangers of Eyestrain
Did you know that serious eyestrain can present safety and awareness risks, particularly if you need to expose yourself to different, busier environments with more hazards after encountering eye exhaustion? This can be dangerous in instances such as working in an office at a computer all day before stepping outside in a heavy-traffic area to catch the bus home. Or, those who study for long periods and need to rush through a school between classes could fumble and become disoriented – all it takes is a misplaced step or sudden turn in a different direction to collide with someone or something you hadn’t noticed. Another instance of eyestrain proving dangerous is driving at night in a poorly lit area, becoming fatigued, and veering off the road – a common cause of trucking accidents for long-haul drivers trying to stick to a schedule.
