We tackle eye strain

"It's always the same scenario. The eyes burn , sometimes as soon as you wake up. The muscles are tugging and you have a headache . Sometimes the vision becomes blurred , even double at times, "explains Ananhsa Berteau , orthoptist. No one is spared, including those who have lynx eyes! To be sure that it is an eye fatigue and not a genuine visual disorder ( myopia or presbyopia beginner for example), it is necessary to start by consulting an ophthalmologist . If he leans for eye strain , he will send you to an orthoptist , a real eye physiotherapist . Its balance sheet and its rehabilitation sessions are then supported: count € 23.80 the balance sheet and € 11.80 the session at a registered orthoptist , reimbursed up to 60% by the Social Security (the rest by most mutuals ).

How to strengthen your eyes

"The goal is to train your muscles beyond your needs, so that they always work below their maximum capacity: which can the most can the least!" Says Ananhsa Berteau . Flagship exercise of this rehabilitation : follow a luminous point (pursuit exercise) with one eye, then both. The orthoptist can add different prisms in front of the eye to deflect the image and complicate the task of your oculomotor muscles (a bit like adding weights to increase the difficulty of a weight training). Your eyes learn to work on lateral movements, convergence and divergence . An average of 12 to 15 sessions of 20 minutes suffice most often.

A control visit is expected 1 month later. If the vision becomes blurred 6 or 12 months after the rehabilitation sessions, you should see your ophthalmologist again. We must not put everything on the back of eye fatigue. Finally, to relieve yourself daily, consider placing the computer screen lower than your eyes, with a distance between the eye and the screen less than 50 cm . If you need to enter or copy documents, place them within 20 cm of the screen ...

Anti-fatigue glasses?

When visual fatigue persists despite the sessions at the orthoptist , there is the solution of the glasses of rest . Their correction is minimal (0.25 diopters only), which helps to relieve near vision , the one that most solicits our oculomotor muscles . Another alternative is Essilor Anti Fatigue glass, which reduces the effort of accommodation in close vision , in addition to the correction of any other visual defect.

What to think of the yoga of the eye?

Inspired by the Indian tradition of Ayurvedic medicine , the yoga of the eyes aims to relax the muscles to slow as much as possible the deterioration of the sight. Indeed, we can think that a well relaxed and well oxygenated eye will give the best of itself and will be more efficient.

For example, blink several times and let your gaze go towards the horizon without fixing a particular point. To do several times a day, especially if you work in front of a computer screen.

Another exercise of relaxation : the " palming ". After rubbing their hands together for a few seconds to warm them up, apply them on the eyelids (without pressing) to make the whole black. With your eyes open, stay in this position for at least 1 min. Calming effect guaranteed, especially if you focus on your breathing at the same time!

Another exercise: fix your index as close as possible to the nose, and then away from it: to do 2 or 3 times a day to work convergence at home, when orthoptist rehab sessions are completed. Do not abuse this exercise as this may cause stress spasms.

The inner solution

Free radicals produced by light , tobacco and the many chemical reactions of the body accelerate the aging of the retina . It is equipped with a protection system, but it works less well from the quarantine. If you do not support the strong light, it is already a sign that should alert you. The substances essential for the proper functioning of the retina are lutein and zeaxanthin . "We find 10,000 times more than in all other tissues of the body," says Dr. Laurent Benzacken , ophthalmologist. These two assets come solely from our diet, fruits and vegetables that bring the most are asparagus , broccoli , cabbage , zucchini , endive , spinach, kiwi , corn , peas , peppers and the grapes .

Smokers and people who drink more than two glasses of alcohol a day are most often deficient in lutein . Having a low HDL ("good") cholesterol level would also be a risk factor. The problem is that we do not consume enough of these beneficial substances. Our daily intakes are between 1 and 4 mg while studies suggest that it would take 6 to 10 mg to ensure optimal protection of the retina. Hence the interest of food supplements . They have shown some effectiveness, but only in people who already have a damaged retina. It is therefore not proven that it is really useful to take preventive measures. When in doubt, some ophthalmologists offer them when there is an increased risk: this is the case of a trip in the tropics (because of the high brightness). You can choose from PreserVision, Nutri-Optrex, Vitareds, Retinofta, etc. (from 10 to 30 € for 1 month of treatment, not reimbursed).

Close protection

The small retinal feeder arteries are responsible for all oxygen and micronutrient exchange with the retina . It is to say if they are important! Unfortunately, they have many enemies, especially tobacco (always him!), Diabetes and hypertension. But the main enemy is too bright, especially ultraviolet , infrared and blue light , that is to say, radiation that is found outside rather. Not to mention heat lamps (infrared sources) and tanning lamps (sources of ultraviolet). "That's why it's so important to wear category 3 sunglasses in case of strong sunlight and not turn your face to the heat lamps if you really want to use them," says Dr. Benzacken .

Vigilance in the mountains: each time one goes up 1000 m, one increases by 10% the dose of ultraviolet. And since the snow reflects 85% of the ultraviolet , it becomes really difficult to escape, except by protecting yourself with a good pair of glasses category 3 (and even 4 on the glaciers). Be careful, the slightest scratch in the filter makes your glasses ineffective. If you have any doubt, have your ophthalmologist check your pair and the whole family before leaving and change if necessary.

More information

www.asnav.org : The website of the National Association for the Improvement of Sight offers a lot of practical information and visual tests that can alert you in case.

www.snof.org : the website of the national union of ophthalmologists of France tells you more about all diseases and affections of the eye and eyelids.

The choice of tears

Insufficient tears or too dry atmosphere are enough to cause tingling , itching and sand in the eyes. Start by setting the heating to the correct temperature (no more than 19 ° C, and 18 ° C in the rooms), place water humidifiers on the radiators and do not hesitate to use artificial tears (on sale in pharmacy ), at least 6 times a day if you work on a computer. Instill the drops in the eye and blink several times to spread the tears (this is important to see net). Also avoid too aggressive makeup , especially the pencil on the lower eyelid, because contact with the cornea (transparent membrane of the eye) may trigger irritation. If you have sensitive eyes , choose products bought in pharmacies (Eye Care, La Roche-Posay) and hypoallergenic make-up removers (Avene type).

Carve the cornea

When you are hypermetropic , myopic , astigmatic or even presbyopic and you no longer want to hear about lenses or glasses , "carving" your cornea is a good alternative. The operation is done under local anesthesia. The ophthalmic uses different techniques depending on the degree of visual disturbance and the thickness of the cornea . Some techniques use laser and surgery . Another, newer, laser alone (Femtosecond) with similar results: thus, in case of operation of myopia for example, the procedure lasts less than 15 min. "The view is cloudy when coming out of the block. It improves the next day. However, it takes 5-6 weeks for optimal vision, "says Dr. Benzacken (€ 1,000 to € 1,500 per eye, not reimbursed).