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How Long Does Eye Strain Last?

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How Eye Strain Affects Your Day-to-Day Life

Eye strain, also known as asthenopia, is becoming increasingly common in our digital world. Whether it’s long hours in front of a computer, extended smartphone use, or reading under poor lighting, many people experience discomfort, headaches, blurred vision, or fatigue at the end of the day.

For most people, symptoms can persist anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the cause, severity, and whether corrective measures are taken.

What Is Eye Strain?

Eye strain is the discomfort your eyes feel after intense use. Common symptoms include:

  • Sore or tired eyes
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Headaches
  • Dry or watery eyes
  • Sensitivity to light

What Causes Eye Strain?

Eye strain occurs when your eyes work harder than usual, leading to fatigue and discomfort. Common triggers include:

  • Long hours in front of digital screens (computers, tablets, phones)
  • Poor lighting or glare while reading or working
  • Prolonged near-focus tasks like sewing, writing, or crafting
  • Binocular vision misalignment (where the eyes don’t work together properly)

Minor eye strain usually resolves within hours with rest, but persistent or recurring discomfort may indicate a more serious underlying issue.

When Eye Strain Lingers

Some people experience eye strain that lasts several days. This prolonged discomfort often results from binocular vision dysfunction (BVD). However, not all prolonged eye strain is caused by BVD. Other factors, such as uncorrected refractive errors, dry eye, or chronic screen use, can also contribute.

Symptoms of prolonged eye strain may include:

  • Blurred or double vision
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Dry or burning eyes
  • Neck or shoulder tension
  • Fatigue during reading or screen time

Traditional solutions, such as adjusting lighting, taking breaks, or using over-the-counter reading glasses, may only provide temporary relief if the underlying cause isn’t addressed.

How Neurolens Can Help Relieve Eye Strain

Neurolens is an innovative lens technology designed to correct misalignments between the eyes. By subtly adjusting how each eye focuses light, Neurolens reduces the extra effort required by eye muscles to maintain binocular vision.

Benefits of Neurolens Include:

  • Reduced eye discomfort and strain
  • Fewer headaches and migraines caused by visual stress
  • Decreased neck, shoulder, and facial tension
  • Improved focus and visual comfort during screen use or reading
  • Customized prescription tailored to your eyes’ unique measurements

With Neurolens, many patients notice symptom relief shortly after using their lenses, although full adaptation may take a few days to a couple of weeks.

Supporting Eye Strain Relief at Home

Along with Neurolens, these simple habits can help reduce eye strain:

  • Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Remember to blink often to prevent dryness.
  • Adjust lighting: Reduce glare and use sufficient light while reading or working.
  • Position screens correctly: Keep screens at eye level and about an arm’s length away.

These strategies can complement Neurolens. However, persistent eye strain usually requires professional assessment.

Patient talking to their optometrist about Neurolenses.

Who Can Benefit from Neurolens?

Neurolens can be suitable for both adults and children who experience prolonged eye strain.

Typical candidates include:

  • Students and professionals who are spending long hours on digital devices
  • Adults experiencing headaches or fatigue from visual tasks
  • Individuals with unexplained or chronic eye discomfort
  • Anyone noticing double vision or blurred vision during near work

By correcting binocular misalignment, Neurolens addresses the root cause rather than just masking symptoms.

Find Solutions to Your Eye Strain in Saskatoon 

Eye strain can range from a few hours to several days, depending on the underlying cause. While rest and lifestyle adjustments can help with minor cases, persistent symptoms should be evaluated by an eye doctor. Neurolenses can offer a personalized, effective solution that addresses the root cause, helping eyes work together comfortably and reducing long-lasting strain. If you’re struggling with persistent eye strain and want a solution tailored to your unique visual needs, consider visiting The Eye Studio by Kennedy Eye Clinic. Book an appointment with our team to determine if Neurolens lenses are right for you.

Written by The Eye Studio

At The Eye Studio by Kennedy Eye Clinic, we treat our patients like family. We’re proud to be a small business offering local, customized, and compassionate vision care.

Our team is committed to creating outstanding experiences and building lifelong relationships so we can grow together with the families we serve.

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