We all get headaches now and again. There could be a thousand different reasons for it- did you have a beer too many last night- your headache could be a symptom of a hangover. Have you had your 8 glasses of water today- if not, your headache may be caused by dehydration? Are you currently stressed out- headaches and stress go hand in hand? Or have you been staring at a monitor or driving for a long period of time? If so, then you may be suffering from an eye strain headache.

Eye strain has become a common problem in our lives because so much of what we do on a daily basis revolves around tedious staring. Students often complain of strain on their eyes from constantly reading textbooks and notes; office workers frequently suffer from this strain due to the fact they are staring at a computer screen all day long; life guards are required to take a break every 15 minutes to avoid strain on their eyes; and drivers will often experience strained eyes when on the road for a long period of time.

So are you suffering from any of these strain types? Check the list of symptoms below to find out.

Eye Strain Symptoms Involving your Eyes

• Sore and tired eyes- this is the most common complaint of those suffering from eye strain. Your eyes may feel droopy or so sore that it even hurts to blink. This is a sign that you need to step away from the computer/television/driver’s seat and let your eyes rest.
• Watery eyes- another common complaint is watery eyes which can result in blurred vision
• Dry and itchy eyes- others have the opposite symptom with dry or itchy eyes. To avoid this, try to blink as often as you can and consider taking eye drops to provide a soothing effect.
• Blurred vision or double vision- when your eyes start playing tricks on you, then it’s most likely because they are overworked and overtired.
• Impaired vision when you look away- have you ever looked away from a screen to still see the colors and shapes dancing in front of your eyes. This is a common symptom of eye strain. This can also happen when you are watching television for a long period of time.

Other Symptoms of Eye Strain

• Eye strain headaches- headaches are common complications of strain on the eyes and usually occur after a long day at the office. Try to drink as much water as possible and take breaks throughout the day.
• Sore neck- a sore neck can be caused by many different things but, when accompanied by the other eye strain symptoms; there is a good chance that your eyes are to blame.
• Increased sensitivity to light- another common complaint of eye strain sufferers is an increased sensitivity to light, especially in the sun.

In most instances, these symptoms cannot be completely avoided. However, when your eyes begin to strain or you experience any of the above symptoms, it’s a good idea to give them a break.