How Long Does Eye Strain Last?

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Do you suffer from eye strain? If so, you’re not alone.

According to OHSOnline.com, 68% of employees experience digital eye strain (DES). Many who suffer from it and its symptoms, which include eye dryness, fatigue, and blurry vision, say this problem impedes their productivity.

Given its highly unpleasant symptoms, you’re likely wondering, “How long does eye strain last?”

In this guide, our team at Kiwi Drug will answer that question and share insights into eye strain remedies and how to prevent eye fatigue. Please read on.

How Long Does Eye Strain Last?

Eye strain duration is typically temporary, with the symptoms often subsiding within a few hours of resting your eyes. Some of the symptoms it may cause include:

• Tired eyes
• Sore, burning, or itching eyes
• Watery eyes
• Dry eyes
• Blurry vision
• Double vision
• Headaches
• Photophobia (increased light sensitivity)
• Difficulty concentrating

Eye strain can also make some people unable to keep their eyes open. Others may experience pain in other parts, such as the back, neck, or shoulders.

However, eye strain and its symptoms may last longer if an underlying issue, like an uncorrected vision problem or eye dryness, is behind it. In this scenario, you must treat the root cause first to relieve eye discomfort and strain.

How Long Will It Take to Feel Better From Eye Strain?

It depends on the causes of your eye strain, but if it’s due to prolonged screen device use, your eyes should feel better soon after you stop staring at your screen and rest your eyes. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, the continuous use of digital devices for two hours can be enough to cause DES. So, if it’s been at least two hours since you’ve started using your device (e.g., a computer) and your eyes feel tired and painful, take a break.

Tips to Achieve Eye Discomfort Relief From DES

You don’t have to wait for your eyes to feel tired and painful before taking a break and resting them. Instead, follow our tips and strategies to help prevent eye strain and ease its unpleasant symptoms.

Follow the 20-20-20-Rule

Safeguard your eyes and reduce your risk of eye strain by following the U.S. CDC’s recommendation of applying the 20-20-20 rule. It involves:

• Taking your eyes off the screen after every 20 minutes
• Directing your eyes at least 20 feet away
• Looking away for at least 20 seconds

To “remind” yourself to take these mini-breaks, set an alarm that goes off every 20 minutes. Take these breaks as an opportunity to stretch and stand, which can also help rejuvenate you.

Blink Often

Make it a habit to blink often, especially when working or using screened devices. A good enough reason is that these activities can make you so focused that you may “forget” to blink, leading to eye strain and fatigue. In some cases, not blinking as often as you should may even result in a burning sensation in your eyes.

So, be sure to blink often or use artificial tears. Doing so triggers your eyes to produce tears that refresh and keep your eyes moist. It can help reduce eye strain and the discomfort this condition causes.

Mind the Lights

Just as crucial is ensuring you have enough light to help your eyes but not too much that it’s too bright and causes glare. Glare can make it difficult to see what’s on your screen, requiring the eyes to work harder.

If there are too many bright overhead lights, turn some off, especially the ones right above your workstation. Consider installing an anti-glare cover on your computer monitor, too. It can help dampen bright lights and minimize glare.

When Should You See a Doctor for Eye Strain?

If your eye strain and its symptoms don’t subside even after resting, it may be time to check in with an eye doctor. Your eye strain may indicate an underlying problem that requires treatment and medication.

Here are some examples of eye problems that warrant a trip to the doctor and further treatment.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Eye strain that doesn’t get better with rest may be due to dry eye syndrome. If you have this problem, your eyes don’t lubricate correctly, such as when you look at an object, like a screen, for long periods. Your doctor may tell you to take over-the-counter or prescription-strength eye drops.

Refractive Errors

Another possible cause of eye strain that doesn’t improve with rest is a refractive error, such as:

• Myopia (nearsightedness): A condition that can make distant objects look blurry
• Hyperopia (farsightedness): A condition in which objects nearby appear blurry
• Astigmatism: Can make both distant and nearby objects look distorted or blurry
• Presbyopia: An age-related condition that causes vision problems in seeing things up close

According to the National Eye Institute, refractive errors are prevalent, affecting 150 million Americans. They can cause eye strain as the eyes struggle and work harder to focus.

If uncorrected, refractive errors can worsen and even lead to permanent vision problems. For this reason, seeing an eye doctor is highly advisable if you constantly suffer from chronic eye strain.

Your doctor may prescribe glasses or contact lenses if you have a refractive error. Glasses are the simplest, most affordable way to address these vision problems. Contact lenses offer a wider field of vision and a more natural view, but their placement may be trickier for some people.

Surgery (e.g., laser eye surgery) is another option that provides longer-lasting, even permanent results. However, it’s more expensive and carries more risk.

Ready to Combat Eye Strain?

How long does eye strain last? Now you know that it’s typically temporary and should subside within a few hours once you’ve given your eyes enough time to rest. You also learned that strategies like the 20-20-20 rule, blinking more often, and artificial tears can help relieve and prevent this condition and its symptoms.

If you’re looking for a reputable place to order eye care products to help with eye strain, look no further than Kiwi Drug. We’re your trustworthy online chemist backed by a pharmacy company with over forty years of business and service history.

Check out our eye care products now. We’ll help you save 50% (or more!) on your local pharmacy prices!