🌐 EN
Asthenopia or eye fatigue is a condition that occurs when the eye is fatigued by prolonged use, such as to affect the efficiency of the eyeball muscles.1

Asthenopia: aetiology

accommodative disorders Ophthalmic pathologies
Asthenopia is a condition with multiple possible causes, the most common being accommodation problems such as amblyopia, strabismus, hyperopia, myopia, and presbyopia.1,2
It can also be associated with ocular diseases such as conjunctivitis, keratoconus, diabetic retinopathy, retinoblastoma, and dry eye syndrome.2
Additionally, asthenopia may have muscular or neurological origins.1,2

The computer vision syndrome

High accommodation effort Exposure to inappropriate light Neurological factors INCREASED BLINKING INTERVAL/REDUCED BLINKING
Video-terminal or occupational asthenopia refers to eye fatigue resulting from work-related activities, particularly prolonged screen time involving close-range visual tasks3,4. From an aetiological perspective, this type of visual fatigue is often due to the combined effect of multiple factors, including:
  • High accommodative demand,
  • Exposure to inappropriate lighting conditions,
  • Neurological factors, such as work-related stress and anxiety4
Several studies in occupational medicine have identified screen-based work as a trigger for visual fatigue. Accordingly, ergonomic guidelines recommend taking regular breaks, typically 15 minutes of rest for every 2 hours of screen use3,4, to reduce ocular strain by shifting focus to distant objects.
Computer screens are often highly luminous, and a significant contrast between screen brightness and ambient lighting can stress the iris sphincter muscle, which must continuously adjust pupil size to regulate light entry.4
Furthermore, digital devices emit a high proportion of blue light, which can generate reactive oxygen species and initiate inflammatory processes at the ocular surface level.5
Prolonged screen exposure has also been shown to reduce blink frequency, leading to tear film instability and the development of dry eye syndrome. This condition not only contributes to discomfort on its own but also acts as a risk factor for asthenopia.4

ASTHENOPIA: THE TREATMENT

It is advisable to intervene on the correct lifestyle, especially by minimising or even better eliminating factors that can increase oxidative stress, as free radicals are the precursors of inflammation6.
CORRECT LIFESTYLE

Diet rich in vitamins and low in saturated fats

Reduce or eliminate smoking

Supplementation with substances of natural origin

Advancing Eye Care Through a Complete Product Portfolio

Evidence-based solutions designed to support clinical excellence

Discover more

References:
1. Sheedy JE, Hayes J, Engle J. Is asthenopia a visual syndrome? Optometry and Vision Science. 2003;80(11):732–739.

2. Rosenfield M. Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2011;31(5):502–515.
3. Bali, J., Neeraj, N., & Bali, R. (2007). Computer vision syndrome: a study of the visual and ocular causes. Indian J Ophthalmol, 55(4), 289–294.

4. Rosenfield, M. (2011). Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt, 31(5), 502–515.

5. O’Hagan, J. B., Khazova, M., & Price, L. L. A. (2016). Low-energy light bulbs, computers, tablets and the blue light hazard. Eye, 30, 230–233.

6. Liguori, I., et al. (2018). Oxidative stress, aging, and diseases. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 13, 757–772.

You are about to leave this website

External content may be subject to different local regulations, product availability may vary by market.

THIS PAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

To access this page, please click YES if you are a healthcare professional.
If you are not a healthcare professional, select NO.