When Should I See an Eye Doctor for Eye Fatigue?

If a person is experiencing frequent eye fatigue, it may be worth visiting an eye doctor to make sure there is not a serious underlying problem. Everyday causes may not be a big worry, but if a person is finding that eye fatigue is causing serious side effects, it may be time for a checkup. Although the most common cause is of tired eyes is a problem with the prescription of contacts or glasses, a visit to the optometrist can determine both the cause and the treatment.

Common causes of eye strain

There are several everyday activities that can cause eyes to feel tired or overworked. Generally these causes are not worrisome and can be mediated by a simple change of activities. The most common things that can make eyes feel tired include the following:

• Driving – road hypnosis, reading the print on maps, glare from water or a bright sky
• Reading – especially books with a small font size, difficult type style or faded letters
• Writing – tiring over an extended period, especially if pains are being taken to avoid mistakes
• Bright light – being outside when the sun is very bright or when there is a lot of snow on the ground reflecting the light
• Dim light – trying to read in dim light, such as in the car at night or working on a detailed hobby without adequate lighting for the task

When to be concerned

Eyes contain many small muscles that, as with any other muscle, need to rest and have some downtime. If eye strain is not relieved by resting, changing activities, or correcting lighting conditions, it is possible there is more to be concerned about. There are certain side effects of eye fatigue that are warning signs and may indicate that a visit to the eye doctor is needed. These include such things as blurred or double vision and persistent or migraine headaches. A person should also be concerned if problems such as floaters or a dark area in the vision occur. Such symptoms could be indications of cataracts, macular degeneration or certain types of retinopathy.

What an eye doctor can check for

Other changes in vision quality may be a natural part of aging, but they could also be problematic. An eye exam can diagnose any issues that exist as well as catch the early warning signs of developing conditions. The eye doctor will likely test visual acuity and the pressure in the eye and do a refraction test. Additional tests will be made to see if eyes are tracking together, to check for astigmatism and to check depth perception. While all of these tests may seem like a lot to do for eye strain, it is important to make sure there are no serious underlying problems.

Conclusion

When it comes to enjoying life, a person’s eyesight plays a huge role. Taking care of eye health helps ensure that vision quality can be maintained at the highest possible level. An exam by a qualified eye doctor is an important part of this process.

Request an appointment here: https://brighteyesny.com or call Bright Eyes Optometry at (914) 730-9574 for an appointment in our New Rochelle office.

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