Eye Strain

I think I have eye strain. My eyes hurt and I get a headache every time I have to focus on something (near or far). It happened very quickly when I was having to do reading assessments all day every day, and when I wasn't doing reading assessments, I was on the computer doing work. I looked up the symptoms of eye strain, and I have every single one except I have dry eyes instead of watery eyes. When I was in San Diego and working to focus on things far away my sight started to get better, but got worse again when I read on a bus.

I don't want this to be permanent, I had laser surgery to correct my vision three years ago and feel that money would have been wasted.

I'm trying some of the tips I found online, but does anyone have any suggestions to help me with the eye strain? I'm a reading specialist, so I have to read, plus I love to read for fun!

Definitely recommend taking a 5 minute break from the computer or book- every hour or so- just get up and around. Also, make sure you're not sitting to close to the screen.  Try and make sure you have adequate lighting around too- even with the screen, you'll want background light. 

Can you take a weekend off from using your eyes too much? Stay away from the computer, and listen to some books on tape instead of reading? If your eyes feel better on the Monday after the break, at least you'll know it is simply eye strain and not anything more serious.

These were the tips from my eye doc when I had issues with it in college:

1. Make sure you're reading in optimal light - not too bright, not too dark.
2. Take at least a ten minute break from any reading every 45 minutes or so.  If it's really bad, close your eyes and let them have a good rest.
3. Keep a log of what, specifically, seems to trigger it (what were you reading right before you noticed it, how long had you been reading, how/where were you holding the book, etc).

Hope that helps a bit.

Were you farsighted before the laser surgery?  I'm not an expert, but if you weren't I wonder if it's possibly developing?

Thanks, Ladies. I'll try some of those tips.

I'm staying off the computer as much as possible and haven't read since Wednesday. I brought home a bunch of work that I need to do on the computer and I'm not even touching it. I think I might go to the library and borrow a book on CD like Chary suggested.

Abby, I was farsighted before the surgery, so much so that they couldn't even measure it and I could only see clearly about 2 inches away from my face. I really don't think it's farsightedness developing again. I remember what that was like and this time seems different. I'm really only noticing the blurriness with words. I drove to go out shopping today and I could see telephone polls and make out individual trees way off in the horizon (probably about 1-2 miles away?), but any signs I had a little bit of a hard time reading. I would think with how close the words are when they are hazy, I wouldn't be able to see so clearly beyond the words if I was becoming farsighted again. I'm planning to make an appointment with an eye Dr. just to be sure.

Thanks, Ladies. I'll try some of those tips.

I'm staying off the computer as much as possible and haven't read since Wednesday. I brought home a bunch of work that I need to do on the computer and I'm not even touching it. I think I might go to the library and borrow a book on CD like Chary suggested.

Abby, I was farsighted before the surgery, so much so that they couldn't even measure it and I could only see clearly about 2 inches away from my face. I really don't think it's farsightedness developing again. I remember what that was like and this time seems different. I'm really only noticing the blurriness with words. I drove to go out shopping today and I could see telephone polls and make out individual trees way off in the horizon (probably about 1-2 miles away?), but any signs I had a little bit of a hard time reading. I would think with how close the words are when they are hazy, I wouldn't be able to see so clearly beyond the words if I was becoming farsighted again. I'm planning to make an appointment with an eye Dr. just to be sure.

Wow, that IS farsighted!  It was just a thought that popped into my head.  Obviously a bad one.

I hope it clears up soon.

Wow, that IS farsighted!  It was just a thought that popped into my head.  Obviously a bad one.

I hope it clears up soon.

thanks! I've been so worried about becoming farsighted again, that's why I've been paying so much attention to what my vision is doing. Not a bad thought at all.

Just thought I'd update to say that I do have eye strain. I went to the dr. and my vision is still perfect, but since I'm a reading specialist and have to either read books or read on the computer all day, I have strained my eyes since they aren't meant to look at close things all day. I have reading glasses now. When I had the surgery I was told that I would probably need reading glasses when I got older (just because as we age the eyes don't adjust to near vs. far as quickly, I just didn't think I would need them so soon!

Just thought I'd update to say that I do have eye strain. I went to the dr. and my vision is still perfect, but since I'm a reading specialist and have to either read books or read on the computer all day, I have strained my eyes since they aren't meant to look at close things all day. I have reading glasses now. When I had the surgery I was told that I would probably need reading glasses when I got older (just because as we age the eyes don't adjust to near vs. far as quickly, I just didn't think I would need them so soon!

I'm so glad it's nothing too serious.  Welcome to the Eye Strain Club!

I'm glad you got it sorted out!

Thanks, ladies. Not necessarily a club I wanted to join, but oh well!