Are you wondering whether your vision could be the cause of eyestrain? There is, in fact, a link between myopia and eye fatigue. That's why we're sharing a few tips with you on how to avoid eye fatigue and prevent myopia from worsening prematurely. It's all about understanding your eye needs, ensuring clear vision and adopting best practices for optimal visual comfort. Here are the keys to healthy eyes and avoiding eyestrain if you're short-sighted.
Does myopia cause eye fatigue?
Yes, myopia can cause eyestrain and eye fatigue. This is because short-sighted people have difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. If you have myopia, your eyes have difficulty seeing things at a distance, which results in eye strain. This can lead to fatigue, headaches and tension around the eyes or behind the eyeballs.
If you sleep well at night but still feel tired, it's possible that your eyes are the issue and that you need an exam to assess your eyesight.
Your optometrist will be able to tell you if you need a new prescription for myopia. And, if you already wear corrective lenses for this eye problem, your optometrist can tell you if your eyesight has changed and give you a new prescription, if necessary.
Wearing glasses or contact lenses for myopia prevents fatigue. However, even with the proper prescription eyewear, it's important to take precautions to avoid eye fatigue associated with prolonged reading, working on digital screens or other tasks that place heavy demands on your eyes.
How can I avoid eyestrain with myopia?
To relax your eyes when you have myopia, you can adopt certain habits that have the potential to prevent and limit eye fatigue, even more so if you spend time on screens every day (television, smartphone, computer, etc.). Here are the simple things we recommend you do:
- Take breaks by practicing the 20-20-20 rule. Specifically, look at an object 20 meters away from you every 20 minutes for at least 20 seconds. This allows your eyes to relax. You may even feel some relief from eyestrain.
- Make sure your environment is well-lit. Avoid computer screens or electronic devices in dark rooms.
- Reduce reflections on your screens to improve visual comfort and limit fatigue. You can use an anti-reflective screen or an anti-reflective filter to do this. You can also activate the "night shift" mode for both day and night when available on your devices. The screen's colour will appear a little more yellow, but your eyes will quickly get used to it, improving your visual comfort.
- Look at your screens from a distance that's comfortable for your eyes. In other words, keep your screens at a distance of around 40-70 centimetres whenever possible.
- Adjust the text size to make it comfortable to read without squinting.
- If you work in front of a screen for long periods, consider using eye drops to keep your eyes hydrated.
If, despite these recommendations, you are still experiencing eye fatigue, you may need to have your eyesight checked.
How can you tell if your myopia is getting worse?
Eye fatigue is one of the indicators that your myopia is worsening. Frequent headaches are also common in people needing a new prescription.
Also, pay attention to any changes in your near or distant vision. If you notice that you're finding it increasingly difficult to see faraway objects clearly, this may indicate a progression in your myopia.
Finally, if you're short-sighted, you must check your eyesight regularly with your optometrist. Do not hesitate to follow their recommendations regarding the frequency of eye exams.
