Monthly Archives: January 2021

Utah Eye Centers   →  Utah Eye Centers Blog   →  2021   →  January
Categories General Posted on Author

Are your eyes feeling tired?

Mature female doctor with smartphone at table in officeDo you spend much of your day looking at a computer screen or at other electronic devices? Do you spend a lot of time behind the wheel for your job? Do a lot of reading? Or are you a bit short on sleep? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are at a higher risk for eye strain.

What causes eye strain? The condition is brought on by periods of intense or extended focus and use of vision. It can be caused by long periods of reading small print, looking at computer screens, keeping a close eye on the road ahead of you or spending many hours in very dark or very bright conditions.

How do you know if you’re experiencing eye strain? Take note of these symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Blurry vision
  • Itchy, dry or burning eyes
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty keeping your eyes open
  • Other general discomfort

For the most part, eye strain is a normal part of life. Think of your eyes in the same way you would your muscles. Overuse leads to fatigue, right? Eye strain isn’t normally serious, but it could be a sign of an underlying vision condition, so if you’re suffering from eye strain for more than a couple of days, please schedule an appointment with us. Just call us at (801) 476-0494.

Eye strain can be brought on more quickly due to issues with your vision, such as when your eyes aren’t working together to focus properly, or if you have other developing eye or vision problems. A new or updated prescription for glasses or contacts may help by improving your vision so that your eyes don’t have to work so hard. In some cases, reading glasses can help. We also can provide some suggestions for helping support your eyes when you’re spending a lot of time looking at screens. (An important tip: Try giving your eyes a break from the computer screen by following the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.)

If you’re experiencing eye strain regularly, take a break! Then give us a call. We can “shine a light” on your options. We look forward to meeting with you.

Categories General Posted on Author

Signs your child might need an eye exam

36668561_SChildren sometimes have a difficult time explaining how they feel or if there is a problem. That’s why if you are a parent, trying to figure out if your child has an issue with his or her vision can sometimes be tricky. Here are a few signs to look for:

1. Blurry vision. Is your child having trouble reading the blackboard at school? Then it’s a good time to make an appointment with us. People who have myopia, or nearsightedness, have clear vision at close range and poorer vision at a distance.The problem with this one is getting your child to tell you about it!

2. Reading issues. Vision problems can make it difficult for children to learn to read, to develop their reading skills and to do well in school. Astigmatism, which stems from an abnormal curvature of the cornea, can cause headache and eye strain and lead to difficulty reading. Regular eye exams are vital for detecting eye issues, such as astigmatism, in children.

3. Rubbing eyes. We rub our eyes — when they are tired, when they get dust in them, etc. But if your child is rubbing his or her eyes frequently when they are not tired and when no irritants are present, then it could be a sign of a vision issue. Your child may be rubbing their eyes while reading or doing homework due to eye fatigue or strain. Another sign of a vision issue: When a child closes one eye to see better or if a child’s eyes tend to move inward or outward.

4. Headaches. Eye strain can cause headaches, typically at the end of the day or after hours of screen time. We can help you and your family learn ways to prevent eye strain.

Regular eye exams are an important part of overall health. If you have questions, feel free to call us at (801) 476-0494.