What causes eye strain? How can I avoid straining my eyes?

Eye strain can be caused by a few different factors. In general, it tends to be caused by looking at an object for too long or focussing too closely or in unsuitable lighting.

The most common causes are:

1. Reading up close for long periods of time, especially in dim light.

2. Driving for long periods of time - generally, we blink less often when driving and focus our eyes on the same distance for most of our journey. Bright sunlight can also contribute to eye strain when driving.

3. Using a computer, smart phone, tablet or games console for too long - focussing on bright screens and blinking less often whilst using these can also strain your eyes.

4. Deteriorating eyesight - sometimes, this can be a sign that you may need to get glasses or increase your current prescription.

To prevent eye strain:

- Remember to give your eyes a break using the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen or book and refocus your eyes on something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds! 

- Get your eyes tested to make sure you don't need to update your prescription.

- Wear sunglasses while driving, especially when the sun is bright or if the sun is low in the sky.