In a stressful world, it is easy to get rid of the pains that come with daily life. However, there are some symptoms that you should not ignore, including one that may be a strong indication that your eyes are hurting. Of course, you probably know that pain in your eyes can be a sign of eye pressure, but there is another surprising symptom to note. Read on to find out what body pain can mean to hurt your eyes, and if you experience this problem with your eyes, your risk for heart disease is high.
Headaches caused by prolonged use of smartphone screens, computer screens and TV screens can eventually be due to eye strain – “a common condition that occurs when your eyes get tired from intense use,” explains the Mayo Clinic. It can also be caused by reading without stopping, letting your eyes relax, driving long distances, dry eyes or an uncorrected face, or simply from stress.
“Now that many people have switched to working from home, we are spending even more time on screens – computer screens, smartphone screens, etc. You do not get up and walk around the office to talk to a co-worker,” Benjamin Bert, MD, an ophthalmologist in California, tells Parade. “Even meetings are now virtual and on-screen. All the extra screen time puts a bit of strain on the eyes.” And if there are more signs, something is missing: if you feel it at night, you should check your liver, doctors say.
Howard R. Krauss, MD, a neuro-ophthalmologist in California, tells Parade the less blinking – what happens when you stare at the screens – eventually affects the eye muscles. “Along with the reduced blinking, the tear film increases, which you can imagine as a protective bubble film that moisturizes and protects the eye, as well as increased evaporation moisture loss,” Krauss said. “Pair it with dry indoor air, which flows over one’s face, powered by an HVAC system and the drought can become severe, which can tear, burn or turn red.”
As Krauss noted, the brain is detected by the brain, causing three muscles of the eyelids – the orbicularis, procerus and the zinc plate – to contract. Anyone who continues to keep their eyes open will have increased dryness and muscle spasms, and thus may cause headaches. And for more symptoms to note: If you see it on your nails, have your thyroid checked, doctors say.
Despite the discomfort, experts say that eye strain does not have long-term consequences. Yet you do not have to deal with it. To prevent headaches in the eyes, Healthline suggests that you take regular breaks when using digital screens for hours – specifically “watching something every 20 minutes for 20 seconds for 20 seconds.” Other ways to prevent headaches are to blink more to keep your eyes moist, not to look at digital screens in a dark room, not to hold your contacts too long and your screen at least 25 centimeters from your eyes down, according to Healthline.
Krauss advises anyone who spends a lot of time in front of a screen to wear glasses and use eye drops if necessary, Parade reports. He says glasses can help maintain your eye health by preventing dry air from flowing into your eyes. But if you notice sudden vision changes, extreme eye pain, nausea or vomiting, you should consult your doctor for advice, Healthline warns. And sign up for our daily newsletter for the latest health news sent straight to your inbox.
Looking at the screens not only causes headaches in the eye, it can also be pain in the neck. As Krauss said Parade“Prolonged screen time can also cause poor posture or persistent head, neck and shoulder positions which can provoke muscle spasms neck and headaches.” As for eye strain, there are many other symptoms you should pay attention to, including dull face, burning or itchy eyes, increased sensitivity to light and concentration problems. And if you see it in your feet, you could have diabetes, doctors say.