You use your eyes all day, from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep. Here at Total Focus Optometry, we know that with so much time spent on computers, phones, and tablets, your eyes work harder than ever. Sometimes, this hard work leads to a tired, uncomfortable feeling known as eye strain.
You may also experience dizziness or feel off-balance. It’s a strange sensation that can be a little unsettling. This leaves many people to ask if there’s a connection between tired eyes and a dizzy head, and the answer is that digital eye strain can contribute to feelings of dizziness.
Let’s explore how eye strain can cause dizziness and other issues.
What Is Eye Strain?
Eye strain occurs when your eyes become fatigued from prolonged use. Think of it like a workout for your eye muscles. Staring at a screen for too long, reading in dim light, or driving long distances can make your eyes feel sore or fatigued.
Common Causes of Digital Eye Strain
Your daily habits can contribute to how your eyes feel. Long hours in front of a digital screen, whether for work or fun, are a frequent cause. Other factors include poor lighting, uncorrected vision problems, and even the posture you hold while you work.
Signs Your Eyes Are Tired
- Sore, tired, or achy eyes
- Watery or dry eyes
- Blurred or double vision
- A headache
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Trouble with focus
The Link Between Your Eyes and Balance
Your sense of balance relies on a team effort between your eyes, inner ears, and body. Your eyes tell your brain where you are in relation to your surroundings. When your vision system is tired or strained, the messages it sends can get a little mixed up.
How Vision Affects Dizziness
When your eye muscles struggle to focus, your brain has to work overtime to process blurry or conflicting visual information. This extra effort can sometimes lead to a feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness, especially if you have uncorrected refractive errors. It happens because your brain isn’t getting the clear signals it expects.
Symptoms That Connect Eye Strain and Dizziness
The connection between eye strain and dizziness often shows up through a few specific symptoms. If you experience dizziness along with tired eyes, it might be related to visual fatigue. Your eyes and brain are working so hard to see clearly that it affects your sense of stability.
What to Look For
Some signs to keep an eye out for include:
- A feeling of lightheadedness after a lot of screen time
- A sense that the room is spinning (vertigo)
- Trouble with focus that makes you feel unsteady
- Headaches that come with both eye discomfort and dizziness, which can sometimes be a sign of an ocular migraine
Simple Ways to Relieve Tired Eyes
You can take small, simple steps throughout your day to give your eyes a much-needed break. These habits can help reduce eye strain. They may also help with related feelings of dizziness.
Try the 20-20-20 Rule
This is an easy one to remember. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This simple action, often called the 20-20-20 rule, helps your eye muscles relax.
Adjust Your Screen and Workspace
Position your computer screen about an arm’s length away and just below eye level. You can also reduce screen glare by adjusting your room’s lighting. Check that your workspace is comfortable for your eyes and your body.
When to See Your Eye Doctor
If you regularly experience dizziness with eye strain, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with an eye doctor. Persistent symptoms may indicate an underlying vision issue that requires attention. An eye exam can help get to the bottom of what’s going on.
A Comprehensive Eye Exam Can Help
During an exam, your eye doctor can check for vision problems that might contribute to eye strain. This includes uncorrected refractive errors or issues with how your eyes work together. The Canadian Association of Optometrists emphasizes that a routine eye exam is a critical part of maintaining your overall health, helping you get a clear picture of your eye health.
Don’t Let Eye Strain Hold You Back
If eye strain and dizziness are affecting your daily life, the team at Total Focus Optometry can help. An experienced eye doctor can perform a thorough exam to find the cause of your discomfort. Book an appointment today to get the personalized attention and care you deserve.
