Eye Strain

[chaosyoshimage]

Hello, forum I happen to frequent, I seem to be having problems with eye strain. Not quite sure what to do about it. I know what you're thinking, "google it", yeah, it told me to "take a break from the computer or reading or whatever". Here's the thing, my eye strain is at its worst when I'm not doing something like that. It's been really bugging me lately, I'm having trouble going to sleep, constant headaches, and it's just generally uncomfortable. I've had these problems for years but they haven't been severe.

I can see just fine, but my mom thinks I might need glasses. For reference, I did have eye surgery when I was 3 (Now 19) and the doctor said I would I might need surgery again when I was older. Maybe this is that? Anyway, I'm here asking for advice on the matter, because I don't want to go to the doctor unless I absolutely have to. I really don't want to waste my dad's money and time, especially considering I could just be overreacting to a minor problem (I tend to do that). So does anybody here have problems with eye strain, wear glasses for it, and could just generally hook me up with advice?

Thanks in advance just for reading my lame problem!

 

[SckizoBoy]

Unless otherwise qualified by the statement 'I'm an optometrist' don't entirely trust anything beyond this sentence. (Incidentally, I'm not an optometrist.)

I think what's happened is that seeing as how you get this strain while not on a computer/reading, the muscles that change the shape of the lens to allow focussing have weakened through insufficient use (ciliary muscle, I believe). While reading or on a computer, you just move your eyes, not refocus and if you spend an inordinate amount of time doing said activities, adjusting to a depth perceptive environment will inevitably strain it and it'll take a lot of almost conscious effort to focus on objects at varying distances.

So my advice would be to go get your eyes tested and take a break from your PC (not entirely, just reduce usage and go outside (just to look at things, however weird that may sound). Afraid I haven't got anything better. *shrug*

 

[lettucethesallad]

Go see an optometrist. Headaches and eye strain may be indicators that you're vision isn't what it used to be.

 

[chaosyoshimage]

Unless otherwise qualified by the statement 'I'm an optometrist' don't entirely trust anything beyond this sentence. (Incidentally, I'm not an optometrist.)

I think what's happened is that seeing as how you get this strain while not on a computer/reading, the muscles that change the shape of the lens to allow focussing have weakened through insufficient use (ciliary muscle, I believe). While reading or on a computer, you just move your eyes, not refocus and if you spend an inordinate amount of time doing said activities, adjusting to a depth perceptive environment will inevitably strain it and it'll take a lot of almost conscious effort to focus on objects at varying distances.

So my advice would be to go get your eyes tested and take a break from your PC (not entirely, just reduce usage and go outside (just to look at things, however weird that may sound). Afraid I haven't got anything better. *shrug*

That makes sense, thanks. I actually did go outside today for about an hour and half just look at things. I hadn't really been out much since I hate the Summer weather, but I love just taking in nature (However weird that may sound). I'll try to cut down on my computer use, but it's so addictive, lol.

 

[SckizoBoy]

That makes sense, thanks. I actually did go outside today for about an hour and half just look at things. I hadn't really been out much since I hate the Summer weather, but I love just taking in nature (However weird that may sound). I'll try to cut down on my computer use, but it's so addictive, lol.

You're welcome, hope I helped.

I dislike summer weather, too... though, largely because it's too bright! =P (Reflected off anything white, the light intensity gives me a headache...)

Anyway, I'm pretty much jacked into my PC, too, so I know what you're about there!

 

[chaosyoshimage]

I've been trying to take 5-10 minute breaks after spending about a half hour with anything with a screen. It was working well enough, I was just dealing with minor strains, but now if I spend 45 to an hour on my computer, my eyes start to sting. I guess I should go see a doctor. Hopefully, this goes over well with my dad...

 

[Sephael]

Try this:


http://stereopsis.com/flux/

 

[mad825]

Go to the opticians and get your eyes tested. If they cannot do anything or still having problems then go to your GP.

 

[chaosyoshimage]

Go to the opticians and get your eyes tested. If they cannot do anything or still having problems then go to your GP.

I'm going to sound like an idiot (What else is new?), but what's a GP?

 

[mad825]

Go to the opticians and get your eyes tested. If they cannot do anything or still having problems then go to your GP.

I'm going to sound like an idiot (What else is new?), but what's a GP?

General Practice/Practitioner, Self-explanatory;

They are the equivalent to first-line defence in the medical sector where they deal with less serious problems such as giving advice, prescribing medication and diagnosing basic problems before referring you to a specialist.

Of course, I'm from the UK so that may be the reason why you've never heard of them before.

 

[chaosyoshimage]

Try this:


http://stereopsis.com/flux/

I tried that, I don't think it's for me. In order for it to go into effect it messes with the color on the screen, I do some color sensitive stuff. And when turning it off, it messed up my screen, I'm not really sure why...

Go to the opticians and get your eyes tested. If they cannot do anything or still having problems then go to your GP.

I'm going to sound like an idiot (What else is new?), but what's a GP?

General Practice/Practitioner, Self-explanatory;

They are the equivalent to first-line defence in the medical sector where they deal with less serious problems such as giving advice, prescribing medication and diagnosing basic problems before referring you to a specialist.

Of course, I'm from the UK so that may be the reason why you've never heard of them before.

Lol, yeah, I'm from the US, so I wasn't sure what you were talking about.

My eyes have been mostly okay today, I really don't want to bother my dad with this sort of thing right now (He already has to deal with his car insurance since he hit a deer with his car). And I really don't want him to have to deal with even more insurance stuff right now...

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Hello, forum I happen to frequent, I seem to be having problems with eye strain. Not quite sure what to do about it. I know what you're thinking, "google it", yeah, it told me to "take a break from the computer or reading or whatever". Here's the thing, my eye strain is at its worst when I'm not doing something like that. It's been really bugging me lately, I'm having trouble going to sleep, constant headaches, and it's just generally uncomfortable. I've had these problems for years but they haven't been severe.

I can see just fine, but my mom thinks I might need glasses. For reference, I did have eye surgery when I was 3 (Now 19) and the doctor said I would I might need surgery again when I was older. Maybe this is that? Anyway, I'm here asking for advice on the matter, because I don't want to go to the doctor unless I absolutely have to. I really don't want to waste my dad's money and time, especially considering I could just be overreacting to a minor problem (I tend to do that). So does anybody here have problems with eye strain, wear glasses for it, and could just generally hook me up with advice?

Thanks in advance just for reading my lame problem!

Do your eyes ever feel dry or itchy? Do you ever have a burning sensation? Does the eye strain feel like a headache behind your eyes? Do you ever feel photophobic (sensitive to light), most particularly when your eyes are sore?

 

[chaosyoshimage]

Hello, forum I happen to frequent, I seem to be having problems with eye strain. Not quite sure what to do about it. I know what you're thinking, "google it", yeah, it told me to "take a break from the computer or reading or whatever". Here's the thing, my eye strain is at its worst when I'm not doing something like that. It's been really bugging me lately, I'm having trouble going to sleep, constant headaches, and it's just generally uncomfortable. I've had these problems for years but they haven't been severe.

I can see just fine, but my mom thinks I might need glasses. For reference, I did have eye surgery when I was 3 (Now 19) and the doctor said I would I might need surgery again when I was older. Maybe this is that? Anyway, I'm here asking for advice on the matter, because I don't want to go to the doctor unless I absolutely have to. I really don't want to waste my dad's money and time, especially considering I could just be overreacting to a minor problem (I tend to do that). So does anybody here have problems with eye strain, wear glasses for it, and could just generally hook me up with advice?

Thanks in advance just for reading my lame problem!

Do your eyes ever feel dry or itchy? Do you ever have a burning sensation? Does the eye strain feel like a headache behind your eyes? Do you ever feel photophobic (sensitive to light), most particularly when your eyes are sore?

1) Yes, but not too often.
2) It's more of a stinging sensation.
3) Yes, this is what brought the problem to the forefront, I have headaches all the time, but the most noticeable recently is what you just described.
4) Yes, a little bit.

My problems are very on and off right now. I watched a couple hours of TV last night, and my eyes gave me problems afterwords, so I just walked around for an hour. Later that night (And into the early morning), I watched a bunch of anime episodes straight on my computer and I didn't have any problems.

 

[chaosyoshimage]

So apparently our health insurance doesn't cover eyes, looks like I'm just going to have to "tough" this out...

 

[BloatedGuppy]

So apparently our health insurance doesn't cover eyes, looks like I'm just going to have to "tough" this out...

Sent you a PM regarding this. Please do not "tough it out". Those are the only eyes you're ever going to have.

 

[daunchy]

Look at an object in the distance (~10-20 feet away) and let your eyes focus on it for a little while. See if it helps. Reading, staring at monitors, and things like that can make your eyes strained, but they can STAY strained even when you're not doing anything like that. What you might be describing is a migraine, however--migraines can feel like something is digging into your eye sockets. Not much you can do about them aside from take painkillers.

You should probably see a doctor if you can, but you know that already.