Research Dietician, CDE, N.D.D.Y.
Eye strain causes fatigue and tiredness in the eyes. It may occur due to prolonged hours of study, office work, tension, or aging. This article will explore the best natural remedy and solutions for overcoming eye strain.
Understanding causes of eye strain
Do you always feel fatigue, tiredness or burning in your eyes? Does working on computers for long or focused reading create irritation & dryness in your eyes? Are these conditions creating tiredness, double vision, headaches and dizziness? If so, then you suffer from eye strain. Eye Strain or eye fatigue is not a disease, but it is a symptom of destruction in retina. Therefore, any causes of eye discomfort are termed eye strain. Non-specific eye strain is also called asthenopia. Though occasional tiredness or fatigue of the eyes or eye strain is not a disease, repetitive or constant eye strain can be a warning of an unhealthy retina.
A survey study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science 2016 states that enhanced environmental eye tiredness is a problem for regular users of computer screens. The investigators found that continued viewing of visual displays, prolonged hours of academic studies and office work, aging, poor diet, and psychosocial and emotional tension causes eye strain or fatigue.Eye strain can aggravate if the condition persists for long or if a remedy is not sought. Similarly, in some cases, the symptoms of tiredness of eyes can point toward an eye condition needing treatment.
Preventing eye strain and the natural remedy for tiredness
Eye strain and its symptoms can be naturally removed by the four-tier approach:
Use of Grape Seed Extract-Grapes and their seeds have been used for centuries as a remedy to promote overall health. Grape seeds extract contain antioxidants, which provide internal protection to eyes in the long run. A Study by Shi J, published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, says that the highest concentration of procyanidins is found in the skin or membrane of the grape seed. The antioxidant power of procyanidins is 20 times greater than that of vitamin E and 50 times greater than that of vitamin C. This makes grape seed extract a natural remedy in many areas of health such as promoting youthful skin, eye health, blood circulation, elasticity, and flexibility. Similarly, a study by Corbe, published in the Journal for Ophthalmology, has concluded that Grape Seed Extract contains flavones (procyanidins), which can fix collagen and elastin fibers, reducing free radicals activity and protecting retinal capillaries by active blood circulation. I always advise my clients to take Grape Seed Extract by BestSource Nutrition as a remedy for eye stain because it provides 95% of procyanidins and the extraction is done by water, which ensures product purity.
Eye Safety Practices-Avoid UV, direct sun light as it can directly hit the macula of retina, which causes eye strain and causes symptoms such as burning sensation, headache, fatigue etc. Always wear sunglasses when exposed to direct sun light. This practice also prevents wrinkles and the discolouration of the delicate skin surrounding the eyes.
Exercise- Exercising your eyes is just as important as exercising the rest of your body. Daily eye exercise can be a great remedy for tiredness of eyes, since exercise helps in improves blood circulation in eye area, thereby it removing fatigue and tiredness. Exercises such as looking up-down, rolling, and concentrating on a near-far point are considered the best eye exercises for overcoming eye fatigue.
Sound Sleep-Long working hours or too much screen engagement causes tiredness and fatigue to the entire body, but especially to the eyes, which can frequently turn into eye strain. A good night’s sleep helps in the relaxation of body and of the tired eye muscles. For promoting good and sound sleep, a cup of Chamomile herb tea can be used as a natural sleep remedy after dinner.
These four tips can help you deal with the causes of eye strain and ensure optimal eye health.