Definition: Asthenopia is a word often used in the eye care profession to describe a collection of symptoms that produce eye fatigue or tiredness, usually brought on by using the eyes. Asthenopia may also produce symptoms of pain, eye strain, tiredness and headaches. Symptoms often occur after concentrating on a visually straining activity, such as reading, which causes the inner eye muscles to tighten.
Asthenopia is sometimes caused by basic vision problems, such as uncorrected refractive errors.
If you are experiencing symptoms of asthenopia, try to give your eyes a break once every hour by focusing on an object in the distance.
Also Known As: eyestrain
