Eye Strain

Asthenopia, also known as eye strain is an ophthalmological condition that commonly presents itself with symptoms such as fatigue, pain in or around the eyes, blurred vision, headache and occasional double vision.

Causes of eye strain are often similar to that of Computer Vision Syndrome, and often occur after reading, computer work, or other close activities that involve tedious visual tasks.

When concentrating on a visually intense task, such as continuously focusing on a book or computer monitor, the ciliary muscle tightens. This can cause the eyes to get irritated and uncomfortable. Allowing the eyes to focus on a distant object at least once an hour typically helps alleviate the problem.