Long days at the computer, endless scrolling on your phone, and hours spent reading can leave your eyes feeling tired, dry, and unfocused. If you often find yourself rubbing your eyes or battling headaches by the end of the day, you’re not alone—eye strain is one of the most common vision complaints in our digital age.
Glasses made for screen use can provide real relief and help protect your eyes from further strain. Whether you need help reading fine print or whether you spend your day in front of a screen, a comprehensive eye exam is a great place to start feeling great again.
Can Glasses Reduce Eye Strain?
Yes, but it depends on the cause of your eye strain.
- Presbyopia: If your eye strain comes from difficulty focusing on up-close objects, reading glasses can reduce the effort your eyes make, easing strain and preventing headaches.
- Computer Vision Syndrome (digital eye strain): If your eyes feel tired after long hours in front of screens, standard reading glasses may not help much. This is because screens sit at an intermediate distance from eyes, not as close as a book, but not as far as distant objects.
For digital eye strain, we often recommend computer glasses instead. Computer lenses have a lens power designed for viewing screens, and can include anti-reflective and anti-glare coatings to reduce visual fatigue.
Glasses alone may not fix digital eye strain if other factors like poor posture, screen glare, or bad lighting are also at play. Combining the right eyewear with good habits can make a big difference.
Understanding Eye Strain
Eye strain is a common issue that happens when your eyes get tired from prolonged use. It can occur after reading, driving long distances, or staring at digital screens for too long without breaks.
Typical signs of eye strain include:
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Dry or watery eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Neck and shoulder discomfort
- Itchy or burning eyes
- Trouble focusing
Most eye strain improves once you rest your eyes or reduce the activity causing it. If symptoms persist, an eye exam can help identify any underlying vision problems that need correction.
How A New Pair of Glasses Could Help
Glasses typically add magnification, so that your eyes don’t have to work as hard to focus on small text or fine details. They’re most helpful for people with presbyopia, a natural change in the eye’s ability to focus up close that usually starts around age 40. Reading glasses shift the focal point of your eyes, making it easier to read or do close work without squinting.
Most of the time, reading glasses are sold over the counter in strengths from +0.50 to +4.00 diopters. However, it’s always a good idea to get advice from your optometrist to make sure you’re getting glasses that meet your needs.
Who Can Benefit from Wearing Glasses?
Anyone struggling with near vision can benefit from reading glasses, not just older adults. Students, professionals, crafters, and book lovers often make use of reading glasses to reduce eye fatigue and improve focus on detailed tasks.
For children and young adults, eye strain usually isn’t due to presbyopia but rather due to uncorrected vision issues or poor visual habits. A comprehensive eye exam can help you find out what’s causing the strain and how to treat it.
How to Choose the Right Pair
Picking the right reading glasses involves more than trying on a stylish frame. Here are some quick tips:
- Schedule an eye exam: This checks your overall eye health and confirms the exact magnification you need.
- Think about blue light: If you spend hours on devices, ask about lenses with blue light filtering to help reduce glare and light scatter.
- Try different powers: Read sample text with different strengths to see what feels most comfortable and clear.
Other Ways to Ease Eye Strain
Glasses alone may not solve eye strain completely. Good daily habits can help protect your eyes and reduce discomfort:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
- Check your workspace: Keep your computer screen at eye level and about arm’s length away. Use a supportive chair and good posture.
- Use proper lighting: Avoid glare by positioning lights behind you or to the side instead of shining directly into your eyes or screen.
See Clearly and Stay Comfortable with an Eye Exam
Taking care of your eyes means giving them the right support, whether that’s a good pair of reading glasses, specialized computer lenses, or simple daily habits to reduce strain. If you often deal with tired, uncomfortable eyes, you don’t have to push through the discomfort—a visit to your eye doctor can help you find a solution suited for you.
At Vision Care Center, our friendly team is here to make sure your eyes stay healthy and comfortable, no matter how busy your days get. Book your comprehensive eye exam today, and let’s find the right lenses to keep you seeing clearly and comfortably.
