Is Eye Strain Affecting Your Quality Of Life

Is Eye Strain Affecting Your Quality Of Life?

Are you tired of experiencing eye strain on a daily basis? It’s a common problem that affects many people and can significantly impact your quality of life. From staring at a computer screen for long hours or other digital devices, eye strain can lead to discomfort, headaches, and even vision problems.

In this article, we’ll explore the causes of eye strain and provide practical tips and solutions to alleviate your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life. So, let’s dive in and learn how to combat eye strain and enjoy clear, comfortable vision daily.

Causes of Eye Strain

Eye strain can occur for a variety of reasons, and understanding the underlying causes is crucial in preventing and treating this condition. One of the primary culprits of eye strain is extended periods of time spent looking at digital screens. When you focus on a screen, your eyes must constantly adjust to the brightness, contrast, and flicker of the images, which can lead to fatigue and strain.

Other factors that can contribute to eye strain include poor lighting, improper viewing distances, and improper posture. For instance, if you’re working in a dimly lit room or using a computer that’s too far away from your eyes, your eyes may have to work harder to focus, leading to fatigue and strain.

Similarly, if you’re sitting in an uncomfortable or unsupported position, your neck and back may become strained, which can also affect your eyes.

Eye Strain Symptoms and Side Effects

Eye strain can cause a variety of symptoms and side effects, many of which can significantly impact your quality of life. Some of the most common symptoms of eye strain include:

  • Eye discomfort or pain
  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry eyes
  • Itchy or watery eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Neck, shoulder, or back pain

In addition to these symptoms, eye strain can lead to a range of side effects that can affect your overall health and well-being. For instance, if you’re experiencing frequent headaches or difficulty concentrating due to eye strain, this can impact your productivity and overall sense of well-being. Similarly, if you’re experiencing neck, shoulder, or back pain as a result of poor posture while working on a computer, this can have a negative impact on your physical health over time.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or side effects, it’s essential to take steps to alleviate your eye strain and prevent further discomfort. This may include adjusting your screen brightness, taking frequent breaks to rest your eyes, using proper lighting and posture, and incorporating eye exercises and relaxation techniques into your daily routine.

By being aware of eye strain’s symptoms and side effects and taking proactive steps to prevent and treat this condition, you can enjoy clear, comfortable vision and improved overall health and well-being.

How to Protect Your Eyes From Strain

Eye strain can be a significant problem for many people, but there are steps you can take to protect your eyes and reduce your risk of experiencing discomfort and fatigue. Here are some tips to help you protect your eyes from strain:

  • Adjust your screen: Position your computer screen, so it’s at a comfortable distance from your eyes, and adjust the brightness and contrast to reduce glare.
  • Take breaks: Take frequent breaks to rest your eyes, especially if you spend extended periods of time looking at digital screens. Every 20 minutes, take a break and look away from your screen for 20 seconds.
  • Use proper lighting: Avoid working in dimly lit rooms and use proper lighting to reduce strain on your eyes.
  • Practice good posture: Sit in a comfortable and supported position to reduce strain on your neck and back, which can also impact your eyes.
  • Incorporate eye exercises: Simple eye exercises, such as looking away from your screen and focusing on a distant object, can help to reduce eye strain and improve your overall vision.
  • Get regular eye exams: Regular eye exams can help to identify any potential vision problems early on and ensure that your eyes are healthy and functioning correctly.

By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can help to protect your eyes from strain and enjoy clear, comfortable vision every day.

Improve Your Diet and Stress

Your diet and stress levels can have a significant impact on your eye health and overall well-being. Here are some tips to help you improve your diet and manage stress to promote healthy eyes:

  • Eat a balanced diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can help to reduce inflammation and promote healthy eyes.
  • Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help to keep your eyes hydrated and prevent dryness, which can lead to discomfort and strain.
  • Manage stress: Stress can cause tension in the eyes and impact your vision. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, can help to reduce stress and promote healthy eyes.
  • Avoid smoking: Smoking can increase your risk of developing eye problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage.
  • Limit alcohol and caffeine: Consuming excessive alcohol or caffeine can dehydrate your body, including your eyes, leading to dryness and discomfort.
  • Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can lead to tired, dry eyes, and may even impact your vision. Aim to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

By making these simple lifestyle changes, you can help to improve your overall eye health and prevent eye strain and discomfort. Remember to consult your doctor or optometrist if you experience any persistent eye problems or discomfort.

Schedule Your Eye Exam

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam to catch symptoms early and avoid worsening pain or damage. Eye conditions are most treatable in their earliest stages. As soon as signs of eye strain begin, it is vital to seek treatment as quickly as possible to find relief and solutions that work for you. 

Visit Our Eye Experts at Shinagawa

Eye strain has become more common as our world revolves around technology. The good news is there are many treatment options to keep your eyes healthy and safe. Schedule an appointment with our experienced doctors at Shinagawa today. 

Your eye health is directly correlated with your quality of life. When vision is impaired, it can severely impact your quality of life in a number of ways. Strained eyes can result in headaches, blurred vision, and dizziness. Symptoms of eye strain and poor overall eye health have the potential to become disruptive during everyday activities.

For inquiries, questions, and appointments, call our Patient Care Lines (8 AM to 6 PM):

📱 (+632) 7-368 5238

📱 (+63) 917 862 7454

📱 (+63) 921 217 0517 

🖥 Talk to our Consultants via Livechat: https://shinagawa.ph/

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Being Physically Active is Good for Eye Health

Being Physically Active is Good for Eye Health

Regular physical activity is not only good for your overall health, but it can also improve your eye health by decreasing the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts, and increasing blood circulation to the eyes. In this article, we’ll explore the link between physical activity and eye health, and provide tips for incorporating exercise into your daily routine to promote good eye health.

A Sedentary Lifestyle and Eye Disease

A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of acquiring eye diseases like AMD, cataracts, and glaucoma. Physical activity improves blood circulation, delivering vital nutrients to the eyes. Obesity and high blood pressure from inactivity also increase risk. Incorporate simple activities like walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming into your routine for good eye health.

Reducing Eye Disease Risk Factors

To maintain good eye health, reduce risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and UV exposure. Quit smoking and eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants. Exercise to improve blood circulation and wear sunglasses and a hat when outside to protect against UV rays.

The Best Exercise Plan for Eye Health

Regular physical activity is crucial for keeping good eye health and reducing the risk of eye diseases. Brisk walking for at least 30 minutes a day can improve cardiovascular health, increase blood circulation to the eyes, and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other eye diseases.

Other low-impact exercises, such as cycling, swimming, and yoga, can also be beneficial for eye health. Eye exercises, such as focusing on a distant object, blinking rapidly, and moving the eyes in different directions, can also help to strengthen eye muscles and improve visual focus. Protecting your eyes during exercise by wearing protective eyewear is also important.

Don’t Forget About Regular Eye Exams

Being physically active is important for maintaining good eye health, but it’s also essential to prioritize regular eye exams. Many eye diseases have no symptoms in their early stages, making regular exams critical for early detection. Adults should aim to get a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years, or more frequently if they have a history of eye problems or medical conditions such as diabetes.

During an exam, an eye doctor can check for signs of eye disease, evaluate vision acuity, and assess overall eye health. By staying physically active and prioritizing regular eye exams, you can help maintain good eye health

We always love seeing our patients!

For inquiries, questions, and appointments, call our Patient Care Lines (8 AM to 8 PM):

📱 (+632) 7-368 5238

📱 (+63) 917 862 7454

📱 (+63) 921 217 0517

🖥 Talk to our Consultants via Livechat: https://shinagawa.ph/

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The Correlation Between Outdoor Activity and Myopia

The Correlation Between Outdoor Activity and Myopia

Recent studies have shown a significant correlation between outdoor activity and myopia, a condition that affects the eyesight of millions of people worldwide. The prevalence of myopia has increased significantly over the past few decades, leading researchers to investigate possible causes. Evidence suggests that spending time outdoors may be a key factor in reducing the risk of myopia development. In this article, we’ll explore the scientific evidence linking outdoor activity to myopia, as well as practical tips on how to incorporate more outdoor time into your daily routine.

The connection between outdoor activity and myopia

Several theories have been proposed to explain the link between outdoor activity and myopia. One theory suggests that outdoor time may help reduce myopia risk by promoting dopamine release in the retina, which can help control eye growth. Another theory proposes that exposure to natural light and a wider range of distances outdoors may help prevent the elongation of the eye that leads to myopia.

Furthermore, outdoor activity may also be associated with a healthier lifestyle, including more physical activity and less screen time, which could also play a role in reducing the risk of myopia. Regardless of the mechanism, the evidence supporting the connection between outdoor activity and myopia is clear.

Encouraging children and adults to spend more time outside may be a simple and effective way to promote eye health and reduce the risk of myopia.

How does spending time outdoors protect our vision?

Spending time outdoors can provide a range of benefits for our eyesight. Firstly, exposure to natural light can be beneficial for our eyes. Natural light contains a broad spectrum of wavelengths that can help stimulate the production of important hormones and enzymes in the eye that promote good vision.

Secondly, spending time outdoors typically involves looking at objects at different distances, which can help exercise the muscles that control the shape of our eyes. This is particularly important for children, whose eyes are still developing and are more susceptible to the development of myopia. Additionally, spending time outdoors may also encourage more physical activity, which can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, which can have a negative impact on vision.

By providing a range of visual stimuli and promoting overall health, spending time outdoors can help protect our vision and promote good eye health.

What causes myopia?

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The exact cause of myopia is not fully understood, but several factors have been identified as potential contributors.

One of the primary factors is genetics; individuals with a family history of myopia are more likely to develop the condition. Environmental factors, such as spending too much time indoors or engaging in activities that require prolonged near work (such as reading or using a computer), may also contribute to the development of myopia. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, can increase the risk of myopia.

While the exact cause of myopia may not be fully understood, it is clear that a combination of genetic and environmental factors can contribute to its development. Understanding these risk factors can help individuals take steps to reduce their risk of developing myopia and maintain good eye health.

Maximizing time outdoors

Maximizing time outdoors can provide a range of benefits for our overall health, including our vision. To make the most of your time outside, it’s important to find activities that you enjoy and that can help provide a range of visual stimuli.

For example, going for a walk or hike in nature can provide opportunities to look at objects at different distances, exercise the muscles that control the shape of our eyes, and reduce the risk of myopia. Additionally, participating in sports or other outdoor activities can provide opportunities for social interaction and physical activity, which can also be beneficial for our overall health.

To maximize the benefits of outdoor time, it’s important to find a balance between screen time and outdoor time, and to make a conscious effort to spend more time outside. By incorporating outdoor activities into your daily routine, you can help promote good eye health and improve your overall well-being.

Get outside!

Spending time outdoors is important year-round. Not only does it benefit your eyes, but it bolsters your overall health and wellbeing. So bundle up, and get outside when you can. Your eyes will thank you.

Treating myopia

Treating myopia typically involves correcting the refractive error in the eye, which can be done through the use of eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Eyeglasses and contact lenses work by altering the way light enters the eye, allowing for clearer vision. Refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, reshapes the cornea to correct the refractive error. While these treatments can be effective in correcting myopia, they do not address the underlying causes of the condition.

To prevent the progression of myopia, it’s important to take steps to reduce risk factors, such as spending more time outdoors and reducing time spent on activities that require prolonged work. Additionally, there are several emerging treatments for myopia, such as orthokeratology and atropine eye drops, that show promise in slowing the progression of myopia.

It’s important to work with an eye care professional to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs and to ensure that your eyes are healthy.

For inquiries, questions, and appointments, call our Patient Care Lines (8 AM to 8 PM):

📱 (+632) 7-368 5238

📱 (+63) 917 862 7454

📱 (+63) 921 217 0517 

🖥 Talk to our Consultants via Livechat: https://shinagawa.ph/

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Your Eyes Should Work as a Team

Your Eyes Should Work as a Team

For good eyesight, we don’t just need our eyes to work individually. We also need them to work effectively as a team, which is called binocular vision.

You can see how it works by closing one eye, then the other, while focusing on the same object. You’ll notice that you see things from a slightly different angle out of each eye. This is due to the distance between your eyes. Our brains combine the two images into a single 3D one, which is how we can judge distances.

A variety of problems can impede binocular vision:

  • Divergence insufficiency. The eyes struggle to turn outward to focus on distant objects.
  • Divergence excess. The eyes turn outward too much when focusing on distant objects.
  • Convergence excess. The eyes turn inward too much when focusing on close objects.
  • Convergence insufficiency. The eyes struggle to turn inward to focus on close objects.
  • Strabismus. One eye turns inward or outward.
  • Amblyopia (“lazy eye”). The brain will favor input from just one eye, making the other worsen in acuity. This is often the result of a severe refractive error in one eye or strabismus.
  • Vertical heterophoria. The eyes are vertically misaligned, making them strain to create a coherent image together.

Most forms of binocular vision dysfunction can be treated through visual therapy or corrected with special glasses, but only if they are diagnosed. Some are best corrected with surgery.

The Importance of Comprehensive Eye Exams

Only a Comprehensive Eye Check-up can test for vision problems, and it is critical to catch a vision problem early on. 

Many adults never received a diagnosis and went through lots of years struggling to see. If you think you or your child might have an undiagnosed vision problem, don’t hesitate to schedule an eye exam.

Your clear, comfortable vision is our highest priority!

For inquiries, questions, and appointments, call our Patient Care Lines (8 AM to 8 PM):

📱 (+632) 7-368 5238

📱 (+63) 917 862 7454

📱 (+63) 921 217 0517 

🖥 Talk to our Consultants via Livechat: https://shinagawa.ph/

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Sleep and Vision

Sleep and Vision Intersects

Does sleep affect your eye health?

Getting enough sleep is great for our overall health and our eye health alike. At the other end of things, we can improve the quality of our sleep if we are more careful about what we put in front of our eyes before we go to bed.

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Eye Health

Nearly everyone knows what it’s like to feel sleep deprived in the short term. We feel grumpy and drowsy and struggle to concentrate. Over time, however, the effects are more dramatic. 

Chronic sleep deprivation can weaken our immune systems, make it harder to lose weight, increase our blood pressure, make us moodier, and make us more prone to memory loss. Our eyes don’t escape unscathed either.

We need at least five hours of sleep each night for our eyes to replenish themselves for a new day. Beyond helping us keep our eyes open, our eyes need sleep to prevent eye strain, dry eye, and eye twitches. Thankfully, our eyes also play a role in getting more and better quality sleep that will help them function at their best!

Blue Light from Screens Can Mess Up Our Internal Clocks

As tech-savvy as we become with our modern devices, we still can’t change the biology of our eyes. Only the last few decades of the entirety of human history have included sources of blue light that come from anywhere but the sun. Our brains are wired to interpret blue light as daytime, when we should be awake. The later we look at our screens in the evening, the more we trick our brains into thinking it’s not bedtime.

Limit the Blue Light around Bedtime

Anyone who’s had a harder time falling asleep in the smartphone era might have better luck if they avoid screens in the hour before bed. If that isn’t possible, blue light filters on the screen can help significantly as well. Try it out and see if it makes a difference for your quality of sleep. It will also help your eye health!

Make Eye Exams a Priority

We’re happy to answer any questions our patients have about the connections between sleep and eye health, and we can easily do so the next time you see us for an eye exam. Until then, try to get plenty of sleep while practicing good care and safety of your contact lenses, and don’t forget to dim the blue lights before bed!

We’re excited to see you in our clinics!

For inquiries, questions, and appointments, call our Patient Care Lines (8 AM to 8 PM):

📱 (+632) 7-368 5238

📱 (+63) 917 862 7454

📱 (+63) 921 217 0517 

🖥 Talk to our Consultants via Livechat: https://shinagawa.ph/

📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/shinagawa_ph/