[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/09\/eye-strain-causes-treatment\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/09\/eye-strain-causes-treatment\/","headline":"Why Do My Eyes Feel Tired?","name":"Why Do My Eyes Feel Tired?","description":"Eye strain is rarely serious. But if you find yourself experiencing it often, talk to your doctor about ways to rest your eyes.\r\n\r\n","datePublished":"2017-09-12","dateModified":"2023-07-17","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/ophthalmology-regions","name":"UPMC Vision Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/ophthalmology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-vision-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/eye-strain-causes-treatment.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/eye-strain-causes-treatment.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/09\/eye-strain-causes-treatment\/","about":["Eye Health"],"wordCount":443,"keywords":["Eye pain","eye strain","vision problems"],"articleBody":"You’re squinting at the computer screen when you begin to feel pain behind your eyes. After a few seconds, you have trouble focusing, and your head begins to ache.You most likely have eye strain \u2014 an increasingly common problem in our digital world.Eye strain is rarely serious. But if you find yourself experiencing it often, talk to your doctor.Visit the UPMC Vision Institute website.\u00a0What Is Eye Strain?Tasks that require you to use your eyes for long periods \u2014 such as driving, reading small text, or typing at a computer \u2014 can cause eye strain.Eye strain, however, is not a specific condition; instead, it is the result of different signs that indicate your eye muscles and nerves need a break. Once you can rest your eyes, the symptoms of eye strain usually go away.Symptoms of eye strain can include:FatiguePain behind your eyesHeadacheDifficulty focusingA burning sensation or dry eyeCommon Causes of Eye StrainAny activity that requires heavy use of your eyes and focus can cause eye strain.As smartphones and computers have become part of our daily lives, more and more people experience eye strain on a regular basis. Some eye doctors have even labeled this particular cause of eye strain “computer vision syndrome.”Other common causes of eye strain include:Improper or insufficient lightingReading for an extended periodGlare from a digital screenHeightened stressAn undiagnosed eye conditionSpending time outdoors without proper eye protectionRELATED: Health Benefits of Standing DesksWhat to Do for Eye StrainYou can take steps to reduce strain on your eyes \u2014 even if you spend your days working in front of a computer screen.First, give your eyes a break. After 20 minutes or so, look away from your computer, phone, or tablet. Then close your eyes for 20 seconds. This allows your eyes to recover. If you spend hours staring at a computer screen, turn down the brightness level to reduce glare.If your eyes are dry, moisturize them with eye drops or use a humidifier in your work space. Most importantly, limit the amount of time you spend staring at your phone, tablet, computer, and other digital devices.When Is Eye Strain Serious?In some cases, eye strain can indicate an undiagnosed condition. Talk to your doctor if symptoms do not go away after simply resting your eyes.You may have uncorrected vision or astigmatism, which can worsen without treatment. Uncorrected vision, such as nearsightedness, can be treated with contact lenses or glasses. Ask your doctor for more information.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on September 12, 2017, and was last reviewed on April 22, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Why Do My Eyes Feel Tired?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/09\/eye-strain-causes-treatment\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]