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Eye asthenopia: accommodative, muscular, neural

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
 
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Rapid fatigue of the visual apparatus indicates the development of asthenopia. Let's consider the causes of discomfort in the eyes, symptoms, types, methods of treatment and prevention.

Visual fatigue syndrome or asthenopia is known to every person whose work is connected with a computer. After 4-5 hours of continuous work at the monitor, painful sensations in the eyes appear. People who read books in poor artificial lighting or from the screens of tablets, smartphones and other electronic devices face this problem.

This pathology has a wide range of subjective symptoms that manifest themselves when the load on the eyes increases, not corresponding to the potential volume of productivity. Asthenopic syndrome has several categories, which are based on their primary symptoms:

  1. Visual difficulties – the quality of visual perception deteriorates, especially in low light or over long periods of work.
  2. Ophthalmological problems are manifested by increased eye fatigue, a feeling of heaviness in the eyelids, photophobia (which does not go away when wearing dark glasses), a sensation of a foreign body under the eyelids, conjunctivitis, and in rare cases, blepharitis and barley.
  3. Additional difficulties include frequent headaches of varying intensity, migraine, nausea, pain in the neck and shoulders, and shooting pain in the temples.

Such manifestations of the syndrome very often lead to sleep disorders and depressive states. Due to the low quality of the received image, the tension of the higher visual centers increases, which is accompanied by subjective complaints.

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Epidemiology

Medical statistics provided by the World Health Organization indicate that about 135 million people in the world have various visual defects, including asthenopia, and about 45 million are blind. In 75% of cases, blindness is associated with untimely treatment of diseases or failure to comply with preventive measures. The forecasts are not encouraging, since in 10-20 years the number of people with ophthalmological problems will increase to 200-300 million people.

The problem of visual fatigue is becoming more common every year. Statistics show that 5% of children entering first grade already have asthenopia due to increased strain on the eye muscles. By middle school, this pathology develops into myopia and more serious problems requiring medical intervention.

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Causes asthenopia

Visual fatigue is a certain discomfort in the eyes that occurs during visual work. The causes of asthenopia are associated with various factors. Very often, the pathology manifests itself when the eyes work at a close distance to an object. But the main cause of the disorder is prolonged strain and fatigue of the eyes without rest. Nutrition and bad habits play a significant role in the development of the disease.

There are a number of factors that most provoke the development of the disorder:

  • Long-term work at the computer.
  • Watching TV for long periods of time every day.
  • Reading in low light.
  • Driving in poor visibility.
  • Working under constant visual strain.
  • Incorrectly selected glasses for vision.
  • Failure to observe visual hygiene.
  • Insufficient lighting in the workplace.

The causes of asthenopia may be related to accommodation spasms of various origins. Also, various miotic agents (medicines that cause pupil constriction) can cause artificial spasm and sensations similar to visual fatigue.

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Risk factors

There are certain risk factors that contribute to the development of visual fatigue syndrome. Asthenopia occurs with prolonged eye strain and concentration during work. Most often, this is prolonged work at the computer, working with documentation, with various small details, driving a car at night, reading in poor lighting.

There are certain groups of people who are primarily susceptible to the disorder:

  • People with binocular ophthalmological disorders.
  • Office workers (70% of PC users develop the disease regardless of the type of screen).
  • Elderly patients who spend a lot of time reading books or watching TV.

The development of the disease can be facilitated by various endocrine pathologies, intoxication of the body. Painful sensations arise with the wrong choice of glasses for reading or constant wearing. At first, this leads to visual weakness, and as it progresses, it causes a violation of accommodation.

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Pathogenesis

Focusing of vision is performed by the muscles of the crystalline lens, which is the natural lens of the eye. The pathogenesis of asthenopia is associated with fatigue of the ciliary muscle. If a person holds his gaze at one point for a long time or quickly moves it between objects located at different distances from the eyes, then the muscles become overstrained, and asthenopia develops.

That is, the pathological condition is associated with uncorrected hyperopia, presbyopia, astigmatism or congenital weakness. In some cases, ciliary muscle disorder is promoted by certain diseases of the body and its intoxication.

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Symptoms asthenopia

Rapid eye fatigue is in most cases associated with increased stress and lack of rest. The symptoms of asthenopia are so varied that they can cause difficulties in the diagnostic process. Most often, patients complain of problems such as:

  • Feeling of sand or foreign body in the eyes.
  • Cutting and burning.
  • Double vision.
  • Periodic blurred vision.
  • Increased lacrimation.
  • Headaches and dizziness.
  • Redness of one or both eyes.
  • Progressive deterioration of vision.
  • Discomfort when moving eyes.
  • Elevated temperature.
  • Inflammatory processes in the organs of vision.
  • Deformation of the shapes and sizes of objects perceived by the eyes.

All of the above symptoms have in common that they, in different combinations or separately, arise under a certain visual load. In addition, patients complain of increased irritability and frequent severe headaches. In most cases, the unpleasant sensations disappear or weaken after rest or sleep.

First signs

The danger of asthenopia is that very often its first signs are not taken seriously. Mild blurred vision or dry eyes are associated with temporary stress or fatigue, and not with a developing disease.

Ophthalmologists identify 7 early signs of visual fatigue syndrome that should be a cause for concern, especially if they appear simultaneously:

  1. A kind of veil, haze or film appears before the eyes. When overexerted, such clouding can be so strong that a 1-3 second loss of vision occurs.
  2. Double vision and blurred vision appear. This symptom depends on how tired the eyes are, so it can manifest itself to a greater or lesser extent.
  3. The size and shape of objects are distorted. In particularly severe cases, it is difficult to determine the outline of a specific object.
  4. Signs of an inflammatory process appear, although there are no prerequisites for this. The eyes turn red, and the redness affects the eyelids and whites.
  5. Frequent lacrimation, especially after straining the visual muscles.
  6. Feeling tired and hot. When touching the eyelids, it may feel as if they are pulsating and burning.
  7. Frequent burning and stinging, increased dryness. Washing the eyes with cool water provides short-term relief.

In addition to the above-mentioned signs, the McCullagh visual effect occurs at first. If you move your gaze, for example, from a monitor screen to a black or white color/object, it is colored in the color that was on the screen. Objective changes in ophthalmological indicators occur after two hours of continuous eye strain.

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Stages

Specific visual impairment, that is, asthenopia, has certain stages of development, let's consider them:

  1. Compensation (fatigue) – this stage is characterized by short-term functional changes. Visual fatigue occurs with increased loads and goes away after rest.
  2. Subcompensation (overfatigue) – occurs with persistent compensation, which lasts for about 1-3 days. The condition does not normalize even after a long rest. Discomfort and symptoms characteristic of the syndrome occur.
  3. Decompensation (overstrain) – at the last stage, the development of persistent pathological changes and irreversible refractive-accommodative disorders is observed. If the disease is associated with the specifics of work, the patient is diagnosed with occupational ophthalmopathy. This disease has several forms: myopic, hypermetropic and mixed.
    • Myopic – most often occurs in patients aged 18-30 years. Characterized by the development of late axial myopia (nearsightedness) or the progression of existing myopia.
    • Hypermetropic – occurs after 30 years. There is a significant shift towards hypermetropia, which causes early presbyopia.
    • Mixed – this form develops at a fairly mature age. It is characterized by myopic refraction and early presbyopia (senile farsightedness).

Such violations negatively affect work capacity, limiting it.

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Forms

According to the ICD-10 classification, all types of asthenopia are classified under item H53.1 "Subjective visual disorders". In medical practice, the following types of visual fatigue are distinguished:

  1. Accommodative is the most common type of asthenopia. It can occur due to farsightedness, weakened accommodation in chronic diseases of the body or in case of accommodation spasm. Most often it is associated with overwork, exhaustion of the body, stress. The patient cannot read for a long time, as the letters begin to merge. Pain in the eyes, temporal and frontal parts of the head appears.
  2. Muscular – develops when the internal muscles of the eye, which are necessary for full binocular vision, are slightly weakened. The patient has to forcibly contract them and keep them in a state of tension for a long time. This form is characterized by the following symptoms: eye fatigue, headaches, double vision. Without timely correction and treatment, it leads to divergent or convergent strabismus.
  3. Mixed - a combination of accommodative and muscular visual fatigue. Manifested by instability of binocular vision, double letters when reading, headaches.
  4. Nervous (retinal) – manifests itself in the form of hysteria and neurasthenia. The patient is unable to do anything for a long time, as surrounding objects become foggy and unclear. Sometimes it gets dark in the eyes, there are signs of photosensitivity.
  5. Symptomatic – manifests itself with signs characteristic of inflammatory diseases of the nose and eyes. Because of this, the connection between visual fatigue and such symptoms is practically not traced.

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Accommodative asthenopia

One of the most frequently diagnosed types of visual fatigue syndrome is accommodative asthenopia. Fatigue of the ciliary muscle may be associated with its increased tension, uneven contraction, acquired or congenital weakness. The pathological condition occurs with general diseases of the body and severe intoxication.

Signs of the disorder:

  • Rapid eye fatigue.
  • Feeling of heaviness.
  • Pain and burning.
  • Pain in the eyes and head.
  • Blurred contours of details, letters, objects.

In children, asthenopic phenomena may gradually decrease simultaneously with a decrease in hyperopia and an increase in the functioning of the ciliary muscle. In adults, on the contrary, they increase as presbyopia (farsightedness) progresses.

Accommodative asthenopia is diagnosed based on the patient's complaints and the results of a skiascopic examination. If the diagnosis reveals high or medium hyperopia, astigmatism, or weakness of the ciliary muscle, the diagnosis is confirmed.

To normalize the patient's condition and restore vision, wearing corrective glasses is recommended. They should be worn not only when reading or working on a computer, but on a permanent basis. Particular attention should be paid to physiotherapy and exercises that stimulate accommodation. In some cases, the doctor prescribes a number of medications - drops. Timely diagnosis and treatment allow you to eliminate asthenopic phenomena, so the prognosis for this form is positive in most cases.

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Muscular asthenopia

Visual disorders caused by defects in the binocular visual system are muscular asthenopia. Most often it occurs due to the absence or incorrect correction of myopia, astigmatism. It is associated with weakness and tension of the muscular apparatus of the eyes, that is, the muscles that are attached to the eyeball from the outside, ensuring its movement.

Symptoms of the disorder:

  • Rapid fatigue.
  • Pain in the eyes radiating to the head.
  • Foreign body sensation.
  • Blurred contours and objects.

Against the background of the above symptoms, binocular vision is gradually lost. It is replaced by convergent or divergent strabismus. These signs are the basis for diagnosis.

Restoration of vision is possible only in the early stages of the disease. To do this, it is necessary to create favorable hygienic conditions for visual work and perform physiotherapy procedures to develop convergence and normal fusion amplitude. If the disease has a high degree of heterophoria, then wearing glasses with prisms directed towards the deviation of the eye is indicated. Timely treatment and prevention of muscular asthenopia is a guarantee of a favorable outcome of the disease.

Asthenopia in hypermetropia

Very often, visual fatigue syndrome is associated with other ophthalmological problems. Asthenopia in hyperopia, that is, farsightedness, is a refractive anomaly in which rays are collected behind the retina, forming a blurry image.

In the early stages, the pathological condition manifests itself with the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue and aching eyes.
  • Feeling of a foreign body under the eyelids.
  • Headaches.
  • A feeling of fullness in the eyeball.
  • Lacrimation.
  • Intolerance to bright light.
  • Decreased concentration.
  • Periodic blurred vision.

If the above symptoms appear, you should seek medical help and undergo diagnostics to prevent further progression of the disease.

The main method of treating asthenopia with hyperopia is correction with glasses. The patient is given glasses for constant wear with the most tolerable converging lenses.

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Complications and consequences

Like any disease, asthenopia can cause certain consequences and complications. As a rule, they arise due to untimely seeking medical help. Most often, patients face such a negative outcome of ophthalmological pathology:

  • Strabismus.
  • Conjunctivitis.
  • Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis).
  • Deterioration of vision quality.
  • Nerves and migraines due to frequent and severe headaches.

Based on this, we can conclude that asthenopia cannot be left to its own devices, as it can lead to quite serious illnesses.

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Diagnostics asthenopia

To detect visual fatigue syndrome, the patient is prescribed a set of laboratory and instrumental studies. Asthenopia diagnostics can only be performed by a qualified ophthalmologist. The doctor collects anamnesis, analyzes the patient's complaints and evaluates the severity of pathological symptoms.

Diagnostics consists of:

  • Determination of visual acuity.
  • Measuring the angle of strabismus (Hirschberg method, synoptophore).
  • Refractometry in different pupil states.
  • Measuring the accommodation reserve.
  • Identification of fusion reserves.
  • Ultrasound diagnostics.
  • Laboratory tests.

Based on the above examinations, the ophthalmologist makes a final diagnosis and prescribes the most appropriate treatment methods.

Tests

Laboratory diagnostics of asthenopia is carried out if there is a suspicion that the disease is caused by various disorders of the body. Tests are necessary for lesions of the conjunctiva of the eye, since the conjunctiva accounts for about 30% of ophthalmological pathologies.

Patients are prescribed the following set of tests:

  • General blood and urine analysis.
  • Biochemical studies of biological fluids.
  • Bacteriological and virological tests from the eye or scrapings of conjunctival discharge to identify the bacterial pathogen.

In addition to the above-mentioned studies, the patient may be prescribed serological tests to detect adenovirus antigens. Immunological tests are performed if fungal infections of the eye organs are suspected.

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Instrumental diagnostics

Examination of the eyes using various equipment and assessment of their physiological indicators is instrumental diagnostics. If asthenopia is suspected, the following examinations are prescribed:

  • Visometry, that is, determination of visual acuity, both with and without correction.
  • Perimetry is an assessment of the visual fields.
  • Skiascopy is a study of refraction using an indirect ophthalmoscope and rulers based on the nature of the movement of the shadow in the pupil.
  • Ultrasound examination of the eye and determination of its anterior-posterior axis.
  • Refractometry is the determination of the refractive power of the eye in a state of cycloplegia.
  • Ophthalmoscopy.
  • Examination of the eye using a Goldman lens to identify associated disorders.

Based on the results of instrumental diagnostics, the ophthalmologist can draw conclusions about the degree and form of visual fatigue.

Differential diagnosis

Since asthenopia has several types, differential diagnostics is indicated to identify them.

  • The accommodative and muscular forms are manifested by severe fatigue of the ocular apparatus. Differentiation is carried out with diseases characterized by weakened accommodation and spasms. During diagnostics, congenital flaccidity of the internal muscles and impaired binocular vision are determined. Strabismus, refractive spasms, paralysis of the nerve responsible for eye movement, and decreased elasticity of the lens are also possible.
  • The mixed form (characterized by a combination of muscle and accommodative fatigue) is diagnosed with unstable binocular vision, unstable focusing of images, and doubling of objects.
  • In the nervous type, the doctor diagnoses severe photophobia and frequent attacks of darkening in the eyes.
  • The symptomatic form is characterized by various inflammatory lesions of the structures of the visual apparatus.

Differential diagnostics is carried out using instrumental and laboratory methods. During examinations, the following pathologies can be identified: astigmatism, myopia, weakness of the ciliary muscle, hypermetropia, which require additional treatment.

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Treatment asthenopia

Visual fatigue syndrome is characterized by a fairly long-term therapy. Treatment of asthenopia is aimed at eliminating and preventing the causes of the disorder, as well as restoring the normal functioning of the visual organs. The success and speed of recovery largely depend on the patient's desire.

  • The first stage of therapy involves correction with contact lenses or glasses. This helps eliminate rapid eye fatigue and, if necessary, improve vision quality.
  • To relax the ciliary muscle and relieve accommodation spasms, drug treatment is indicated. Most often, patients are prescribed drops with an active component - atropine or mydriatic. It is also recommended to take vitamins and vitamin complexes to maintain eye health.
  • The following methods are used as hardware treatment and training reserve: divergence, convergence, accommodation. For this, various training devices, prisms, plus lenses of different strengths are used.

To relieve muscle tension and prevent the development of fatigue syndrome, various computer programs are used: EyeDefender, Safe eyes, Relax. If the pathological condition is accompanied by strabismus, myopia or hyperopia, then the following software packages are recommended: EYE, Strabismus, Blade.

Medicines

To treat asthenopia, medications can be prescribed that relieve accommodation spasms and relax the ciliary muscle. The medications are selected by an ophthalmologist, individually for each patient.

Let's look at the most effective medications for eliminating visual fatigue syndrome:

  1. Digitoxin

Low-polar cardiac glycoside from foxglove. Has inotropic properties, increases intracellular sodium concentration, regulates calcium and sodium metabolism. Promotes the formation of actomyosin and enhances myocardial contractions.

  • Indications for use in ophthalmological practice: presbyopia, asthenopia, latent hypertension and eye fatigue, eye pain during migraine, intraocular circulation disorder. The drug is used to treat cardiovascular pathologies: chronic heart failure, atrial tachyarrhythmia, heart failure with low cardiac output, paroxysm, sinus tachycardia.
  • The method of application and dosage depend entirely on the treatment regimen and indications. Eye drops are used 3 times a day for 3-6 days, 1 drop in each eye.
  • Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, liver dysfunction, acute myocardial infarction, glycoside intoxication.
  • Side effects: headaches and dizziness, allergic reactions, temporary decrease in visual acuity, sleep disturbances.

Digitoxin is available as eye drops in a 10 ml dropper bottle and in tablet form for oral use.

  1. Irifrin

A medicinal product with the active substance phenylephrine. It belongs to the category of selective a-adrenergic agonists, with a predominant effect on a1-adrenergic receptors. It has a mydriatic effect. It stimulates a1-adrenergic receptors, localized in the postsynaptic membranes of blood vessels and the radial muscle of the iris. It improves intraocular pressure, dilates the pupil, without affecting accommodation.

  • Indications for use: elimination of accommodation spasms and myopia with high visual load, treatment of iridocyclitis and red eye syndrome. The drug can be used during diagnostic manipulations. It provides mydriasis during ophthalmoscopy. It is used to conduct provocative tests when closed-angle glaucoma is suspected and in patients with a narrow profile of the anterior chamber of the eye.
  • Directions for use: one drop in each eye before bedtime. The course of treatment is determined by the attending physician. In most cases, a single use of the drug is sufficient to achieve a lasting pharmacological effect.
  • Side effects: inflammation and temporary reddening of the conjunctiva, swelling, pain and burning in the eyes, lacrimation, pupil constriction, increased intraocular pressure. Systemic side effects are also possible: allergic reactions (most often dermatitis), increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, reflex bradycardia.
  • Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, closed-angle or narrow-angle glaucoma, cardiovascular diseases, tachycardia, high blood pressure, violation of the integrity of the eyeball. The drug is not prescribed for patients with type 1 diabetes, thyroid diseases, hepatic porphyria, during pregnancy and lactation, for the treatment of children.
  • Overdose: anxiety, increased sweating and nervousness, dizziness and headaches, vomiting, increased heart rate, shallow breathing. Alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers are indicated as an antidote - Phentolamine 5-10 mg intravenously.

The drug is available in the form of eye drops 2.5% in 0.4 and 5 ml in a bottle and 10% in 5 ml in a bottle.

  1. Mezaton

Vasoconstrictor, vascular a-adrenoreceptor stimulant. Causes arteriolar spasms and increased blood pressure. Promotes pupil dilation and intraocular pressure reduction without affecting accommodation. Has mild mydriatic properties.

  • Indications for use: increased blood pressure with hypotension and collapse, asthenopia, infectious eye diseases, pupil dilation with iritis, iridocyclitis, secretory renal anuria.
  • Method of application: 1-2% solution is administered into the conjunctival sac, 2-3 drops. The duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician.
  • Side effects: headaches and increased agitation, irritability, arrhythmia, paresthesia, pain in the heart area, tremors of the extremities.
  • Contraindications: hypertension, tendency to vascular spasms, patients under 15 years of age, hepatitis, atherosclerosis.
  • Overdose: short attacks of ventricular tachycardia and extrasystoles, feeling of heaviness in the head, increased blood pressure.

The medicine is available as a 1% solution in 1 ml ampoules and as a dry powder for the preparation of an injection solution.

  1. Mydriacyl

A medicinal product with the active component - tropicamide. Refers to anticholinergic agents that block M-cholinergic receptors, including those in the sphincter of the pupil and the ciliary muscle. The maximum therapeutic effect develops 20 minutes after instillation.

  • Indications for use: increased visual fatigue, ophthalmoscopy, determination of refraction. Very often the drug is used in preparation for eye surgery and laser therapy. The drug is effective in the complex therapy of ophthalmological pathologies and as a prevention of adhesions in the postoperative period.
  • The method of application and dosage are determined by the attending physician. Most often, patients are prescribed instillation of 1-2 drops of a 1% solution once a day.
  • Side effects: increased intraocular pressure, temporary deterioration of vision, attack of angle-closure glaucoma, headaches, photophobia, psychotic reactions, hypotension, allergic reactions, tachycardia, increased temperature.
  • Contraindications: primary glaucoma and tendency to this pathology, individual intolerance to the components of the drug. It is prescribed with special caution in case of increased intraocular pressure, inflammatory eye diseases, during pregnancy and lactation.
  • Overdose: anticholinergic intoxication, dry skin and mucous membranes, disturbances in heart rhythm and movement coordination, hallucinations, behavioral changes, collapse.

Mydriacyl is available in the form of 0.5% and 1% drops, 15 ml each in a bottle.

  1. Tropicamide

A drug that dilates the pupil. Blocks the structural formations of the eye, causing a disorder of the motor function of the ciliary muscle and visual perception disorders.

  • Indications for use: diagnostics of mydriasis, cycloplegia, examination of the fundus, determination of the refractive power of the eye. Complex therapy of inflammatory pathologies of the visual organs and elimination of adhesions of the eye tissues with the surrounding tissues.
  • Method of application: drops are instilled into the lower conjunctival sac in a single dose of 1-2 drops. For the treatment of asthenopia, a 0.5% solution should be used 3-6 times a day.
  • Side effects: increased intraocular pressure, impaired visual perception, photophobia, headaches and psychopathic reactions, increased heart rate, a sharp drop in blood pressure, increased body temperature, temporary burning in the eyes, various allergic reactions.
  • Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, closed-angle glaucoma.

The drug is available in the form of eye drops 0.5% and 1%, 10 ml per bottle.

  1. Emoxipin

A medicinal product used in ophthalmology. Contains the active component - methylethylpyridinol, which helps protect eye tissue. The drug reduces the level of permeability of the vascular endothelium, accelerates the resorption of intraocular hematomas and thins the blood.

  • Indications for use: inflammation of the cornea, cataracts and their prevention, hemorrhages in the anterior chamber of the eye or sclera, retinal dystrophy, diabetic retinopathy, complications of myopia, glaucoma, ophthalmological surgeries.
  • Method of administration: subconjunctivally 1-3 drops of 1% solution once a day or every other day, parabulbarly 1-3 drops of 1% solution once a day or every other day. Duration of treatment is 10-30 days. If necessary, therapy can be carried out several times a year.
  • Side effects: burning and stinging in the eyes, redness of the mucous membrane.
  • Contraindications: individual intolerance to the components of the drug, pregnancy and lactation.

Emoxipin for ophthalmic use is available in the form of a 1% solution for eye drops, 5 ml per bottle.

Drops for asthenopia

Most medications for relieving eye fatigue and combating dry eyes are over-the-counter. But drops for asthenopia should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. This is because it is quite difficult to independently select an effective medicine.

Let's look at some popular drops for relieving eye strain:

  1. Visine

Contains tetryzoline - an a-adrenergic stimulant that promotes vasoconstriction. Reduces conjunctival edema, dilates the pupil and reduces the formation of intraocular fluid. The therapeutic effect develops a couple of minutes after instillation and lasts for 4-8 hours. The drugs are not absorbed and do not penetrate into the systemic bloodstream.

  • Indications for use: redness, lacrimation and swelling of the eyes due to exposure to physical or chemical agents, allergic conjunctivitis.
  • Directions for use: instill 1-2 drops of the medicine into the conjunctival sac 2-3 times a day. Before using the medicine, remove contact lenses. The drops are not recommended to be used continuously for more than 4 days.
  • Side effects: burning, redness and dilation of the pupil, irritation of the conjunctiva, blurred vision, eye pain, allergic reactions.
  • Contraindications: hypersensitivity, closed-angle glaucoma, patients under 2 years of age, corneal dystrophy. Use with extreme caution in arterial hypertension, diabetes, pregnancy and lactation.
  • An overdose is possible if the medicine gets into the digestive tract. In this case, symptoms of tachycardia, convulsions, dilated pupils, nausea, fever, respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, circulatory arrest, coma are observed. Gastric lavage, activated carbon, and oxygen inhalation are indicated for treatment.
  1. Systane

An ophthalmological product for local use. It has moisturizing properties, reduces discomfort due to insufficient eye moisture, eliminates itching, burning and a feeling of sand in the eyes. It does not have a mechanical or chemical effect on the mucous membrane. The therapeutic effect develops quickly and lasts for a long period of time. It does not have a systemic effect, it is excreted with tears.

  • Indications for use: dry and irritated eyes, contact conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, visual fatigue syndrome. Elimination of discomfort when wearing lenses.
  • Method of application: the preparation is applied to the eyes 1-2 drops 1-3 times a day. The course of treatment is determined by an ophthalmologist, individually for each patient.
  • Side effects: allergic reactions, temporary burning in the eyes. No cases of overdose have been recorded.
  • Contraindications: intolerance to the components of the drops, pregnancy and lactation.
  1. Taufon

Eye solution with the active substance - taurine (sulfur-containing amino acid). Improves energy processes, participates in fat metabolism. Slows down the transmission of nervous excitation, has anticonvulsant and cardiotropic properties.

  • Indications for use: reduction of intraocular pressure, acceleration of recovery in case of dystrophic lesions of the retina or traumatic disorders of the tissues of the visual organs, cataracts, open-angle glaucoma.
  • Directions for use: 2-3 drops 2-4 times a day. The course of treatment is 10-30 days, repeated after a month.
  • Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Side effects or overdose symptoms have not been recorded.
  1. Oxial

Drops for use in ophthalmology. The drug contains hyaluronic acid and electrolytes, which effectively eliminate dry cornea and eye irritation. In terms of rheological properties, the drug is close to human tears. Promotes corneal regeneration by maintaining the integrity of the tear film. Maintains the natural level of mucin production.

  • Indications for use: contact conjunctivitis, dryness and irritation of the cornea with increased visual loads and medication intake. Condition after laser vision correction and other ophthalmological surgeries.
  • Method of application: drops are applied to the conjunctival sac as needed. As a rule, the drug is recommended to be used no more than 4-5 times a day.
  • Side effects: allergic reactions. If they occur, stop using the drops.
  • Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. The drug can be used during pregnancy and lactation, but only as prescribed by an ophthalmologist. Symptoms of overdose have not been recorded.
  1. Oftagel

Synthetic tear fluid substitute with high-molecular carboxyvinyl polymer. Increases tear fluid viscosity, forms a moisturizing and protective film on the cornea. Reduces dryness, itching and painful sensations in the visual organs.

  • Indications for use: dry eye syndrome, redness of the eyes and their prolonged strain, dry keratoconjunctivitis.
  • Directions for use: 1 drop no more than 4 times a day, the course of treatment is determined by the attending physician.
  • Side effects: hyperemia, itching and tingling in the eyes, temporary decrease in visual acuity.
  • Contraindications: intolerance to the components of the drug, pediatric practice. It is prescribed with special caution during pregnancy and when driving a car (you can get behind the wheel 40 minutes after installation). There are no cases of overdose.

In addition to the above drops, for the treatment and prevention of visual fatigue syndrome, you can use drops Natural Tear and the drug Artificial Tear.

Vitamins

One of the common causes of vision deterioration and development of ophthalmological diseases is a deficiency of nutrients in the body. Vitamins are necessary for the normal functioning of all organs and systems. For example, a lack of vitamin A leads to the development of "night blindness", low levels of B6 are the cause of involuntary twitching of the eyelids. If the body lacks vitamin B2 or fatty polyunsaturated acids, then there is a feeling of sand in the eyes or a foreign body under the eyelids.

Vitamins for the treatment and prevention of asthenopia:

  • Retinol - vitamin A is a component of the visual pigment rhodopsin, which improves visual acuity and color perception. This substance has a positive effect on the cornea and conjunctiva, protecting them from dryness.
  • Thiamine - vitamin B1 takes part in the conduction of visual impulses along neurons. Participates in metabolic processes in the retina. Reduces intraocular pressure, prevents the development of glaucoma.
  • Riboflavin is a component of the visual pigment. Vitamin B2 saturates the tissues of the cornea and lens with oxygen, nourishes them. It acts as a preventive measure against keratitis, glaucoma and cataracts.
  • Cyanocobalamin - vitamin B12 ensures normal blood supply to eye tissues, participates in the restoration of optic nerves and retinal cells. It is a preventive measure against retinal detachment and the appearance of leukoma.
  • Ascorbic acid – vitamin C strengthens the walls of blood vessels, prevents petechial hemorrhages, participates in oxidation-reduction processes. Reduces the risk of developing glaucoma and cataracts.
  • Tocopherol - vitamin E accelerates tissue regeneration, accumulates in the retina and affects metabolic processes. It has antioxidant properties, significantly slows down age-related changes in the tissues of the organs of vision. Stimulates collagen synthesis, maintaining muscle tone of the eyes.
  • Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that support the normal functioning of the retina. They provide protection from the aggressive effects of ultraviolet radiation. They have antioxidant properties.

There are also vitamin complexes that support the normal functioning of the visual organs and act as a preventative measure against ophthalmological pathologies. Let's consider effective medications for eliminating visual strain and preventing asthenopia:

  1. Vitrum for Eyes

Contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect eye cells from peroxide compounds and free radicals. The drug reduces the risk of development and further progression of eye diseases. Improves the functioning of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and cerebral blood flow disorders.

  • Indications for use: prevention of age-related visual impairment, vitamin deficiencies, increased eye fatigue, visual impairment. Complex treatment of optic nerve diseases, cataracts, retinopathy. Acceleration of recovery after ophthalmological surgeries.
  • Directions for use: 1 tablet once a day during meals. Duration of treatment: 2-3 months.
  • Side effects: allergic skin reactions, skin itching, urticaria.
  • Contraindications: hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Prescribed with caution for pregnant and lactating women, for children under 12 years of age.
  • Overdose: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, painful sensations in the epigastric region. Treatment is symptomatic, intake of enterosorbents and gastric lavage are indicated.
  1. Optics

A combination drug that includes minerals, vitamins and plant carotenoids. It has antioxidant properties and replenishes vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body.

  • Indications for use: replenishment of the supply of nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the visual organs, in case of age-related degenerative changes in the retina, pathologies of the optic nerve. Prevention of visual impairment in patients with diabetes. Used in the complex treatment of night vision impairment and prevention of retinal degeneration. Accelerates the recovery period after ophthalmological surgeries.
  • Directions for use: for adults and children, 1 tablet per day, regardless of meals. The course of treatment is 2-3 months.
  • Side effects: various skin allergic reactions. Overdose is manifested by increased side effects. Treatment is symptomatic.
  • Contraindications: individual intolerance to the components of the drug, patients under 12 years of age. It is prescribed with special caution during pregnancy.
  1. Strix

Biologically active supplement with retinoprotective properties. Promotes improvement of visual functions, increases the tone of eye capillaries, restores visual pigments, improves visual acuity, reduces the severity of asthenopia, slows down the development of age-related degenerative changes.

  • Indications for use: myopia and its complicated forms, eye fatigue and tiredness when working at a computer and reading for a long time, hemeralopia, primary glaucoma, recovery period after ophthalmological surgeries, peripheral and central retinal dystrophies, diabetic retinopathy.
  • The method of administration and dosage depend on the patient's age. The drug is taken orally with a sufficient amount of liquid. The average dosage is 1 tablet per day for 2-3 months.
  • Side effects: various allergic reactions.
  • Contraindications: individual intolerance to active components. Use during pregnancy is possible only on doctor's prescription.
  1. Ocuvait Lutein Forte

A combination product that contains minerals (zinc, selenium), vitamins C and E, carotenoids, and antioxidants.

  • Indications for use: restoration and maintenance of visual apparatus function, improvement of visual acuity, improvement of color perception for patients with ophthalmological diseases or risk of their development.
  • Method of application: tablets are taken orally, after meals. The recommended dosage is 1 capsule 2 times a day. The average duration of treatment is 2-3 months.
  • Side effects most often occur in patients with intolerance to the components of the drug and manifest themselves in the form of allergic reactions.
  1. Blueberry forte

A complex biologically active preparation. Contains blueberry extract, vitamins B and C, zinc and rutin. This composition prevents a decrease in visual acuity due to eye strain, improves microcirculation, has an antioxidant effect and strengthens the capillaries of the visual organs.

Regular use of the vitamin complex helps to normalize intraocular pressure. The product is not recommended for patients with hypersensitivity to its components, for children under 3 years of age. In rare cases, allergic reactions may develop. No cases of overdose have been recorded.

Physiotherapy treatment

Complex therapy is indicated for effective elimination of visual fatigue syndrome. Physiotherapeutic treatment for asthenopia consists of hardware techniques to increase the accommodation reserve and special gymnastics.

Hardware methods:

  1. Synoptophore – used for asthenopia due to weak fusion reserves, with pronounced disorders of binocular vision or concomitant strabismus. The principle of this method is based on the division of visual fields. For example, one eye sees a vase, the other a flower, and the patient needs to place it in the vase, aligning the axes of the eyes and training the eye muscles.
  2. Helium-neon laser therapy is prescribed for accommodation spasms in ametropia and asthenopia. The treatment is effective for diseases and atrophy of the optic nerve, corneal dystrophy, and eyelid pathologies. The helium-neon laser stimulates the eye structures with a low-intensity light beam.

The beam affects the visual organs at the molecular, cellular, organ and tissue levels. Increases the protective properties of the cells of the retinal pigment epithelium, improves blood circulation and metabolism of the eye. Enhances the regeneration processes of the corneal epithelial cells, activates local immunity and eliminates spasms of the ciliary muscle.

  1. Software-computer treatment – asthenopia, amblyopia of any degree, initial presbyopia, accommodation spasms, binocular vision disorders, concomitant strabismus. During the procedure, the retina is irritated (locally and generally) by bright dynamic color pulses. The therapy is based on methods of perceiving a visual image, developing eye muscle reserves and their coordinated work. The main treatment programs are: Flower, Contour, Chibis, Relax, Blade-2, Schulte Table.

In order for the visual organs to always be healthy and function well, it is necessary to ensure their good blood supply. The following exercises are recommended for this:

  • Sit up straight, close your eyes and relax. Imagine that the tip of your nose is a pencil. Draw with it in the air for 30-40 seconds.
  • Bend your arms at the elbows so that your palms are below eye level. Spread your fingers and perform smooth head turns from side to side. During the exercise, you should look through your fingers, without lingering on extraneous objects.
  • Take a deep breath and look between the eyebrows, hold your gaze in this position for 10-20 seconds. Exhale slowly, return your eyes to their original position, close them and massage.
  • While inhaling, slowly turn your eyes to the right, while exhaling, return to the starting position. Inhale deeply again and turn your eyes to the left. After the exercise, close your eyes for 20-30 seconds.
  • Lower your eyes down and slowly turn clockwise, stopping at the top point. Take a deep breath and continue turning down. Perform 2-3 circles, then close your eyes and knead your eyelids.

There are exercises that can quickly relieve eye fatigue. They can be done at any time and in any place.

  • Rub your hands thoroughly and cover your eyes with them. The warmth will provide instant relaxation and calm.
  • Close your eyes and roll them up. It is better to do the exercise lying down, when the neck muscles are maximally relaxed.
  • Alternately change the focus of your gaze from the tip of your nose to a distant object. Stay in each position for no more than 3-5 seconds.
  • Close your eyes and describe circles with them - 2 clockwise and 2 counterclockwise, changing the intensity of the movements.
  • Relax and start blinking frequently, gradually changing the tempo of the exercise.
  • Move your eyeballs to polar positions – right-left, up-down. Hold each position for up to 10 seconds.

In addition to physiotherapy, do not forget about maintaining a daily routine and a balanced diet. During prolonged visual strain, take breaks to do a couple of exercises and relax the eye muscles.

Folk remedies

You can relieve eye fatigue at home. Traditional treatment allows you not only to relax the visual muscles as much as possible, but also to get rid of external signs of fatigue (redness, bags under the eyes, inflammation).

  • Take a fresh cucumber, cut it into circles and apply them to your eyes. You can also peel the cooled vegetable, grate it on a coarse grater, wrap it in gauze and apply it to your eyes. The beneficial substances in the cucumber will tighten and cool the skin, moisturize it, and relieve inflammation.
  • Brew two bags of black or green tea and cool them. Apply the bags to your eyes for 3-5 minutes. If desired, you can soak cotton pads in the tea and apply them to your eyelids. This method quickly relieves irritation and eye fatigue.
  • Cut a couple of slices of raw potato and apply them to your eyes. Potatoes can be grated, wrapped in gauze and applied to your eyes. The starch contained in the vegetable will reduce swelling and whiten dark circles under the eyes.
  • Cut fresh strawberries into large slices and apply to closed eyes. The berry contains useful substances and acids that make the skin fresher and younger, and relieve fatigue.
  • Wrap a handful of ice cubes in a thick but soft cloth. Apply the compress to tired eyes. Instead of ice, you can use chilled metal tablespoons. After this procedure, the skin will tighten and tone up, fatigue will go away.

Despite the effectiveness and availability of folk methods for eliminating visual fatigue, asthenopia should only be treated by a doctor.

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Herbal treatment

Herbal treatment has proven itself to be effective in combating visual fatigue. Let's look at effective herbal therapy recipes:

  • Take 50 g of dry chamomile and pour 300 ml of boiling water over it, simmer over low heat. Wrap the container with the decoction and let it cool. After that, soak a sterile cotton swab in the liquid, tilt your head back and gently squeeze the medicine into your eyes. Repeat 8-10 times for each eye.
  • Pour cold water over fresh birch leaves and let steep for 8 hours. Use the resulting infusion for lotions and washing. This remedy helps with tired eyes and swollen eyelids.
  • Finely chop a handful of fresh parsley, wrap it in gauze and dip it in boiling water for 7-10 seconds. Once the compress has cooled, it can be applied to the eyelids for 10 minutes. To eliminate eye fatigue and redness, the procedure should be repeated 3-4 times.
  • Cut the aloe stem and chop it. Place the pulp in gauze, squeeze out the juice. Soak cotton pads in the liquid and apply them to the eyelids for 10-15 minutes. Aloe removes redness and smoothes out expression wrinkles around the eyes.
  • A decoction of mint has tonic properties. Pour 35 g of mint leaves into 150 ml of water and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the liquid. Soak two cotton pads in it and apply to tired eyes for 10-15 minutes. After this procedure, you can wash your face with a herbal decoction of chamomile or mineral water.

Infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs have antibacterial and relaxing properties, tone the skin and improve blood microcirculation.

Homeopathy

Asthenopia is treated not only by classical medicine, but also by homeopathy. The following medications are most often prescribed to combat visual fatigue syndrome:

  • Agaricus – asthenopia due to accommodation spasm and prolonged visual strain. Difficulties arise when reading, letters and objects blur, there are headaches.
  • Asarum – pain in the head and eyes, burning, stinging, lacrimation.
  • Carboneum sulphuratum – heaviness in the eyes and eyelids, sharp deterioration of vision, color blindness.
  • Cina – a disorder of accommodation and color perception; when the visual system is strained, a veil appears, which goes away after a short massage or rubbing of the eyes.
  • Kali carbonicum – acute pain and dark spots before the eyes. Upper eyelids are swollen, severe fatigue appears after short-term visual work.
  • Lachesis – asthenopia in combination with other visual impairments. The sclera is yellow or reddened, the gaze is clouded, depressed. The pupils are dilated, there is increased lacrimation.
  • Lithium carbonicum – visual syndrome is accompanied by signs of photophobia. Black spots appear before the eyes.
  • Rhododendron - muscular asthenopia, painful shooting pains from the eyes through the head, heat and tension in the eyelids, one pupil dilated, the other constricted.
  • Secale – all signs of asthenopic condition. Pupils are spastically dilated or constricted, severe painful sensations. Sharp decrease in visual acuity, veil before the eyes and sensation of a foreign body under the eyelids.

Homeopathic medicines can only be taken with a doctor's prescription. The homeopath selects the medicine, its dosage and determines the duration of treatment.

Surgical treatment

Today, surgical treatment of asthenopia is not performed. This is due to the fact that a complex of treatment and preventive methods allows to completely eliminate the disorder and prevent its possible manifestations in the future.

Accommodation spasms are not treated with surgery; corrective lenses, physiotherapy procedures, eye drops and vitamin therapy are used to eliminate them.

In case of weakness of the ciliary muscle and pronounced farsightedness or nearsightedness, laser treatment is possible. The operation allows to completely restore vision and eliminate the symptoms of visual fatigue. But without observing preventive measures, the painful condition will not take long to return.

Prevention

Any disease, including ophthalmological disorders, is much easier to prevent than to cure. Prevention of asthenopia is based on following these recommendations:

  • Regular preventive examinations by an ophthalmologist.
  • Timely treatment of ophthalmological and any other diseases of the body.
  • Correct correction of vision loss.
  • Work and read in proper lighting.
  • Do not read while lying down in transport.
  • Observance of the rest regime for the visual system during its long-term strain. After each hour of work, the eyes should rest for 10-15 minutes. During this time, you can do special gymnastics or get a massage.
  • Periodically use perforated glasses, which relieve accommodation tension.
  • Maintain a balanced diet and take vitamin supplements to maintain eye health.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle and spend more time outdoors.

Following the above rules will help you maintain healthy eyes for a long time.

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Forecast

Asthenopia is often diagnosed in young patients, and recently in children. The disease causes significant discomfort and pain. The prognosis of visual fatigue syndrome depends entirely on timely medical care and treatment. With proper therapy and adherence to preventive measures, the pathology has a favorable outcome.

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