The eye is a muscular organ, therefore tiring, like all muscles. And the computer is not a friend. More and more people are complaining of eye fatigue. Our tips to make your eyes work in harmony.

A priori, the eye does not have to tire if one does not suffer from any vision disorder, or if this disorder is well corrected. However, in case of insufficient convergence, far or near, the eyes do not work at the same time and binocular vision is laborious.

What are the symptoms of eye strain?

A phenomenon of muscle fatigue occurs, especially when the eye is solicited by television and/or computer screens. And even more often if you are nearsighted because you tend to take off your glasses to work closely.

A blur from afar that reflects difficulties of accommodation (passage from the vision from far to that from near).

Tingling, burning, headaches, even a migraine attack.

An ophthalmological assessment is essential to identify a possible glaucoma whose symptoms are similar.

How to avoid eye strain?

Correct vision disorders (myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia, presbyopia) with glasses, lenses or excimer laser.

Work at a safe distance from computer screens, by at least one arm, avoiding daylight on the screen.

Move your eyes away from the screen, ten minutes every hour, looking into the distance to let go of the accommodation. Universal advice, lack of convergence or not.

Wear anti-fatigue glasses, prescribed by the ophthalmologist, with lenses that have a slight "myopia" correction to facilitate accommodation on screen.

Don't forget to blink to stop dry eyes.

How to treat and correct eye strain?

It is possible to treat eye strain with orthoptic rehabilitation, a real eye physiotherapist. She makes them work in 3D, in space, to facilitate accommodation and binocular vision, where both eyes work in a balanced way. This treatment, prescribed by a doctor and performed by an orthoptist, is covered up to 60% by Medicare.

Are there medications to relieve the eyes when you are in pain?

There is an eye drops to relieve visual fatigue, Alcon's Correctol, which stimulates the muscles of accommodation. One drop morning and evening in two-month cures every six months.

What to expect from food supplements?

There are effective dietary supplements to relieve and prevent dry eye.

Based on evening primrose and salmon oil for omega 3 and 6, these food supplements revive the secretion of tears and reduce dry eyes. Two capsules twice a day.

Dietary supplements to prevent visual fatigue contain hyaluronic acid, which prevents dry eye, and four antioxidants (blueberry, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin), eye protectors. Two capsules per day.

The eye gym, a remedy for eye strain

These two exercises work the eyes together and optimize binocular vision to prevent visual fatigue. Here are some small exercises to perform:

With a pen to attach: place a pen at arm's length in front of your eyes. Attach the pen and bring it closer to your nose. You must feel your eyes "pulling". To do two to three minutes a day for fifteen days, then every other day, and finally once a week.
On a sheet of paper: draw on a sheet, two black dots (ø.5 mm), 5 cm apart from each other. Hold the leaf at arm's length, and slowly move it close to the nose until the two black spots coincide. It is advisable to perform this exercise five minutes every two to three days, twelve times, and then once a week.

Dry eye in front of a screen: the right gestures

Usually, our eyes blink 15 times a minute. However, in front of a screen, this frequency is halved. Consequence: the tear film is not renewed and the surface of the eye dries out. Here are some things to do to prevent eye strain in front of a screen.

Force yourself to blink and look away every quarter of an hour.
Apply artificial tears preferably without preservatives. These eye drops are reimbursed up to 65% by Social Security when they are prescribed by an ophthalmologist.
Massage your eyelids: "First you need to warm the eyelids with a warming mask to apply for 10 minutes. This softens the contents of the Meibomian glands. Then, massage the eyelids to facilitate the drainage of the glands," says Dr. Fisch. Squeeze the upper eyelid up and down, and the lower eyelid up and down. To be done every day for a few weeks, then once every other day, or even once a week.

Eye relaxation masks to relieve eye strain

"Artificial vision syndrome", nicknamed "eye strain", is common. To relieve it, brands have imagined high-tech massage masks.

How does a relaxation mask work?

These masks offer several modes of massage: by pressure, by vibrations and/or by heat. Their pads fill with air, swell and press on different areas of the eye contour and temples, without touching the eyelids or eyeballs. If the heating mode is activated, it diffuses heat between 38 and 42 °C. Some models are equipped with a noise reducer to limit the sound emitted by vibrations. Others include soundscapes (seaside, nature ...) to promote relaxation or offer you to listen to your favorite music thanks to the Bluetooth function that allows you to connect your phone.

How to rest your eyes with a relaxation mask?

After removing your contact lenses or glasses, place the mask over your eyes and adjust the strap so that the massage is comfortable. A session lasts between 10 and 20 minutes. All these devices fold 180°, making it easy to store them and carry them everywhere.

Who is concerned by relaxation masks?

Anyone complaining of eye strain can benefit from it, according to the manufacturers. But there are contraindications: people suffering from eye pathologies (glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment ...) or having just had eye surgery. The same goes for people with stroke, with a tension problem or with increased heat sensitivity.

What benefits can I expect in case of visual fatigue?

Manufacturers ensure that they revive blood microcirculation around the eye and activate the tear ducts by exerting pressure on precise acupressure points. An unlikely action, according to Dr Anne-Laure Fisch. "The gland and tear sac is located behind the bones. They are therefore not accessible through the skin. And even if they were, their dysfunction is not the main cause of dry eye," she explains, before continuing: "This disorder is linked above all to a dysfunction of the Meibomian glands located at the root of the eyelashes and responsible for producing the oily layer of tears. To improve the production and release of this oil, eyelid care must be carried out."

However, the eyelids are not an area in contact with the pads of the mask. As a result, neither vibrations nor pressures nor even heat can have any effect on these small glands that play an essential role in dry eyes. "These masks simply have a relaxing action," concludes the ophthalmologist.