How Long Does Eye Strain Last?

Eye strain (asthenopia) is a group of symptoms that result from overworking the eyes. Its duration and severity vary depending on the condition of your eyes. The most common cause is digital eye strain, but eye strain can also be a symptom of many other eye conditions.

It can be hard to relieve eye strain symptoms without understanding the underlying cause. If you’re dealing with persistent eye strain or new symptoms, it may be a sign that there’s more going on than simple fatigue.

Schedule an eye exam to evaluate your eye health and find out what might be causing your eye strain. The more you understand the possible causes, the faster you can get relief.

Also read: When can I rub my eyes after LASIK surgery?

Eye Strain Symptoms

Although feeling that your eyes are tired or overworked is the most obvious symptom, eye strain can also include:

Also read: LASIK surgery for vision correction in detail

Causes of Eye Strain

How long eye strain lasts depends largely on the cause. If you know what’s triggering it, you can stop or modify that activity. Common causes of eye strain include:

Also read: Wavefront LASIK device and everything you need to know about it

Vision Problems

Refractive errors occur when the eyes don’t focus light properly. When your eyes try to compensate for this error, they have to focus more intensely. If you have a refractive error, one of the common symptoms is eye strain.

A comprehensive eye exam can assess your vision and determine whether you need prescription lenses. Corrective lenses improve your visual performance, and when your eyes don’t have to work as hard, eye strain often eases.

If a refractive error is causing your eye strain, wearing prescription lenses can reduce symptoms fairly quickly. However, you may not notice complete relief right away, as your eyes often need a short adjustment period.

Also read: Is there an age limit for LASIK surgery?

Digital Eye Strain

Digital eye strain usually results from staring at a screen up close for long periods of time, or from blinking less than normal while using a computer. This condition is also referred to as computer vision syndrome (CVS). In addition to eye strain, other symptoms of digital eye strain can include:

Also read: Post‑LASIK instructions | Important and useful details

How Long Until Treatment Starts Working?

If you’ve taken a screen break, started using prescription lenses, or tried another method that usually helps you, how long does it take before you actually feel relief from eye strain?

Unfortunately, there’s no fixed rule. The time it takes for your eyes to adjust varies. Think of it like having insomnia: you go 24 hours without sleep or sleep poorly for several nights, then finally get a good night’s rest—but you still feel worn out. You can’t erase the previous sleep deprivation, but you can build healthier habits so you feel better going forward.

Also read: Best eye drops for red eyes from contact lenses – top options for 2024