How is it Diagnosed?
Eyestrain, or asthenopia, is diagnosed based on patient-reported symptoms and a
thorough eye examination. The ophthalmologist or optometrist begins with a detailed
history, focusing on the duration and context of symptoms such as eye fatigue,
headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck or shoulder pain. The use of digital
devices, reading habits, lighting conditions, and duration of visual tasks are evaluated.
A comprehensive eye exam is conducted, including visual acuity testing to detect
refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. Refraction tests help
determine the appropriate corrective lens prescription. Binocular vision testing assesses
eye coordination and alignment, as poor eye teaming can contribute to eyestrain.
Accommodation tests evaluate how well the eyes adjust focus at different distances.
Tear film assessments may also be conducted to check for dry eyes, which often
coexist with digital eyestrain. Slit-lamp examination helps rule out other underlying
ocular conditions.
If screen use is a factor, a Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) questionnaire may be used
to quantify symptoms and guide management. In rare cases, further neurological or
systemic assessments are required if symptoms do not correlate with eye findings.
The diagnosis of eyestrain is typically clinical, with emphasis on ruling out serious
pathology and identifying lifestyle or vision-related causes.