If your eyes feel heavy, dry, or sore by the middle of the day, you’re dealing with something most people experience at some point. That worn-out, can’t-keep-them-open feeling has a name—eye fatigue—and it usually has a cause you can do something about.
At Decatur Family Eye Care, our skilled eye doctor in Decatur can help identify what’s leaving your eyes tired and what will bring lasting relief. Keep reading to learn the most common causes and how to feel comfortable again.
What eye fatigue feels like
Eye fatigue, sometimes called asthenopia, shows up differently for different people. Common signs include:
- Sore or burning eyes
- Blurred vision, especially late in the day
- Dryness or watery eyes
- Headaches around the brow
- Light sensitivity
- Neck or shoulder tension
These symptoms tend to come and go, but when they show up almost daily, that’s a sign something needs attention.
Common causes of eye fatigue
Tired eyes can stem from several different sources—and often more than one at a time. Here are the most common culprits we see.
Digital eye strain from screen time
Screens are the most common culprit behind tired eyes. When you stare at a computer, phone, or tablet, you blink far less and your focusing muscles stay locked at one distance for hours, which wears them out. A simple habit that helps is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Dry eye and our Tennessee Valley allergy season
When your eyes don’t produce enough quality tears, they can feel gritty, tired, and irritated throughout the day. Here in the Tennessee Valley, our long allergy season can make that worse, leaving eyes especially dry, itchy, and fatigued.
If your tired eyes come with a burning or sandy sensation, a dry eye evaluation can pinpoint what’s behind it.
An outdated or uncorrected prescription
One of the most overlooked causes of eye fatigue is simply needing glasses—or a stronger prescription than you have now. When your eyes work overtime to compensate for blurry vision, strain and headaches follow. A comprehensive eye exam is the most reliable way to catch this, and updating your prescription often clears up the fatigue almost immediately.
Contacts or how your eyes work together
If you wear contacts, tired eyes can be tied to lenses that dry out, build up, or get worn longer than recommended; a contact lens exam can help. Fatigue can also stem from how your eyes work together—issues like convergence insufficiency force them to strain to hold a single, clear image. Vision therapy can strengthen these skills for both children and adults.
See clearly and feel comfortable again
Tired eyes don’t have to be your normal—and finding the cause is the first step to lasting relief. Decatur Family Eye Care has served the Decatur community from the same location for more than 35 years, and Dr. Jonathan Davis, a graduate of the UAB School of Optometry, takes the time to explain what’s behind your symptoms and answer your questions.
Decatur Family Eye Care accepts a wide range of vision and medical insurance plans. Schedule an appointment today for a comprehensive eye exam and personalized recommendations to help your eyes feel comfortable again.
