If you’ve experienced dizziness that seems to come out of nowhere, you’re not alone. And what may surprise you is that your eyes might be to blame.
After hours of focusing on visually demanding tasks, it’s not your work that’s making your head spin; it could be eye strain, especially given our growing reliance on digital screens.
While we can’t completely detach from digital screens, we can take proactive steps to manage eye strain and keep our eyes (and head) comfortable.
What Is Eye Strain?
Your eyes work tirelessly to support your daily adventures. And, like other systems in your body, they need time to rest, too.
Eye strain, also known as digital eye strain or visual fatigue, occurs when your eye muscles overwork as you engage in visually demanding tasks. Reading, staring at a screen for extensive periods, or driving for long hours can all lead to eye strain. It’s both a byproduct of our screen-centric lives and a signal from our body to take a break.
If you’ve been putting in long hours at your desk or cramming for your finals, you may have noticed signs of eye strain that include:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Dry eyes
- Watery eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Neck and shoulder pain
These symptoms are frustrating enough on their own, but what often goes unmentioned is how eye strain can trigger dizziness.
Eye Strain & Dizziness: Exploring the Link
You’ve probably never associated dizziness with eye strain, but the reality is that the 2 might share a connection. Here’s how:
How Eye Strain Affects Your Balance
Your eyes do more than help you see—they also help with your balance.
Your visual system works in tandem with your inner ear (the vestibular system) to keep you steady. When your eyes tire, it can disrupt this coordination, leaving you feeling disoriented or dizzy, as your brain struggles to interpret conflicting signals.
Here are some key factors contributing to dizziness caused by eye strain:
- Fatigued eye muscles: The muscles supporting your eyes work overtime to help you focus. When they’re overused, they can cause discomfort and contribute to dizziness.
- Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD): This occurs when your eyes struggle to work together as a team. It may cause difficulty focusing, leading to blurry vision, headaches, and dizziness.
- Screen time and head movement: If you’ve spent hours looking at a screen, moving your head too quickly to change focus can intensify the feeling of dizziness.
- Migraines triggered by eye strain: Eye strain can cause migraines, which can lead to vertigo-like dizziness.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone can experience dizziness that stems from eye strain, but certain factors can increase this likelihood, such as:
- Extensive screen use: People who spend hours on laptops, tablets, or phones, especially without taking a break.
- Uncorrected vision issues: If you have an uncorrected refractive error, such as myopia or astigmatism, or don’t wear your prescription lenses, this can aggravate eye strain.
- Migraine history: People with a history of migraines might feel dizzy as a secondary symptom.
How to Prevent & Manage Dizziness from Eye Strain
Dizziness can feel overwhelming, but if you suspect eye strain might be the underlying cause, there are ways to prevent and manage this concern to keep yourself feeling centered and balanced.
Follow the 20-20-20 Rule
Every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It gives your eyes a quick reset and prevents overexertion. Besides, it’s a great opportunity to give your legs a quick stretch and step away from your work.
Create a Comfortable Workspace
Eye strain can set in when you move your head to accommodate your screen. Setting up a comfortable and posture-friendly workplace can help reduce eye strain:
- Keep your screen at eye level or just below.
- Place your chair about an arm’s length away from your screen.
- Find a chair that supports your posture to avoid additional neck and shoulder pain.
- Adjust the brightness of your room so your eyes can comfortably view your screen and the material you’re working on.
Stay Hydrated & Remember to Blink
Dry eyes are a significant contributor to eye strain.
Drink plenty of water (to support tear production), and make a conscious effort to blink more often, especially during long screen sessions. Try keeping preservative-free artificial tears on hand so you can hydrate your eyes as needed.
If your dryness persists, it might be time to explore more specialized, in-clinic dry eye therapies.
Schedule Regular Eye Exams
If your eye strain or dizziness persists, it might be time to visit your eye doctor. Sometimes, uncorrected vision can worsen eye strain.
A routine eye exam can help uncover whether underlying vision concerns, such as myopia or BVD, might be the primary contributor to your eye strain and discomfort.
Comfort Is Closer Than You Think
The dizziness you’re experiencing might not stem from the chaos of your work life; it could be eye strain. While preventing eye strain might be challenging in a world dominated by screens, you can significantly reduce symptoms with consistent habits.
If your dizziness and eye strain continue despite these changes, it’s time to take action and visit your eye doctor. Together, we can uncover the underlying cause of symptoms and find a treatment that aligns perfectly with your needs. All it takes is a routine eye exam with Bethel Vision Care.
Connect with our team to book an appointment. Don’t wait for your symptoms to worsen. Take control today.
