What natural treatment for dry eyes

Do you have itchy eyes, headaches, or blurred vision after spending several hours in front of a computer or mobile phone? These symptoms are most likely signs of eye strain, an increasingly common condition in the digital age.

What is eye strain?

Eye strain is a temporary impairment of eye function after intensive use of vision, especially at close range. It manifests itself through a series of uncomfortable symptoms that can be reversed by adapting your habits.

The most common signs include:

Burning sensation, stinging, “gritty eyes”
Red, heavy, tired eyes
Blurred or cloudy vision throughout the day
Difficulty focusing, sometimes double vision
Headaches, feeling unable to concentrate

Why do screens cause so much eye strain?

Computer, smartphone and tablet screens place a heavy strain on our close-up vision. However, our eyes are naturally designed to see easily from a distance. When you stare at a screen for a long time, several phenomena combine:

The eye muscles work continuously to maintain sharpness at close range. Over time, they become tense and tired.
The frequency of blinking decreases significantly: instead of blinking 12 to 20 times per minute, we blink much less, which prevents the tear film from being distributed properly . Tears evaporate more quickly and the eyes become dry.
Unsuitable lighting (fluorescent lights, reflections on the screen, too much or too little contrast) exacerbates the discomfort, as do air conditioning and excessively dry air.

The result: irritation, dry eyes, blurred vision and a feeling of general fatigue at the end of the day.

Eye strain, dry eyes: what’s the difference?

Eye strain is often closely linked to dry eyes, but the two concepts do not refer to exactly the same thing.

Eye strain mainly affects the quality of vision: decreased acuity, sensitivity to contrast, glare, and possible double vision.
Eye strain is more evident in unpleasant physical sensations: burning, itching, redness and a feeling of having a foreign body in the eye.
Dry eye syndrome , on the other hand, corresponds to a lack of tears or poor-quality tears. The surface of the eye is no longer sufficiently lubricated, which promotes irritation, micro-lesions of the cornea and, sometimes, infections.

In practice, prolonged screen work can cause both visual fatigue and dry eyes, creating a vicious circle: the drier the eyes, the more irritated they become and the faster they tire.

What are the other consequences of eye strain?

When the surface of the eye is constantly irritated by dryness, the natural protective barrier becomes more fragile. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the eyelashes and glands of the eyelids, increasing the risk of styes in some people.

In addition,untreated eye fatigue can become an almost daily occurrence: difficulty spending a whole day in front of a screen, the need to blink or rub your eyes constantly, reduced performance at work, less fluid reading, and more difficulty concentrating.

As for cataracts, although there is no direct link between dry eyes and their development, dry eye syndrome can aggravate the symptoms of cataracts in people who already have this condition. It is important to note that cataracts are mainly related to the natural ageing of the lens, although environmental factors, such as exposure to ultraviolet rays, may also play a role. Digital screens themselves are not considered a direct risk factor for the development of cataracts.

When should eye strain be a cause for concern?

In most cases, eye strain related to screens is benign and reversible with good habits. However, medical advice is requiredif:

The discomfort persists despite rest and visual hygiene measures
Vision becomes permanently blurred or significantly deteriorates
The pain is severe or accompanied by significant redness
Styes or infections recur frequently

An examination by an ophthalmologist can check for any uncorrected vision problems (short-sightedness, astigmatism, long-sightedness, presbyopia, etc.) or more severe dry eye syndrome requiring specific treatment.

To learn more about solutions, read this article detailing simple steps, natural remedies and appropriate treatments to relieve eye strain and restore lasting comfort when using screens.

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