Ever catch yourself rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, wondering why they feel heavy, irritated, or strained? Tired eyes are often the result of everyday habits and environmental factors that place extra strain on your visual system.
Common causes of tired eyes include prolonged screen use, inadequate sleep, dehydration, dry eye syndrome, allergies, or even poor air quality. These factors can lead to dryness, irritation, blurred vision, and a heavy, fatigued feeling in or around your eyes.
If your eyes often feel sore, fatigued, or strained by the end of the day, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to ignore the discomfort. By identifying what’s contributing to your eye fatigue, you can take steps to relieve symptoms and protect your long-term eye health.
Common Causes of Tired Eyes
Tired or strained eyes can develop from a mix of lifestyle habits and environmental factors. Let’s explore some of the most common culprits behind eye fatigue.
Allergies
If your eyes are itchy, red, or watery, eye allergies could be to blame. Pollen, dust, pet dander, and other irritants can inflame the delicate tissue around your eyes, making them feel swollen, dry, and sore.
While over-the-counter allergy eye drops can help, persistent symptoms may require professional evaluation, especially if allergies interfere with your comfort or vision.
Dehydration & Dry Eye
Your eyes rely on moisture to function comfortably. When you’re dehydrated, your body may not produce enough quality tears, leading to dry, gritty, or tired-feeling eyes.
Drinking enough water each day and eating water-rich foods like cucumbers and citrus fruits can help maintain hydration for both your body and your eyes.
However, chronic dryness can be a symptom of dry eye syndrome. When you experience scratchy, burning, or watery eyes that still feel exhausted, your eye doctor can develop a personalized dry eye treatment plan to help you find long-lasting relief.
Lack of Sleep
Poor sleep is one of the most common (and overlooked) reasons your eyes feel tired. When you don’t get enough rest, your eyes don’t get the recovery time they need. The result? Puffiness, dryness, blurred vision, and overall fatigue.
Quality sleep supports healthy tear production and helps reduce inflammation, giving your eyes the break they deserve.
Excessive Screen Time
When you spend a lot of time on a computer, phone, or tablet, you might be experiencing digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome. Staring at a screen reduces how often you blink, drying out the surface of your eyes and making them work harder to focus.
Symptoms of digital eye strain include:
- Tired or dry eyes
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Neck or shoulder pain
Limiting screen time or taking regular breaks can help your eyes relax and replenish surface moisture.
Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
Smoking, poor diet, and excessive alcohol intake can all impact your eyes. These habits can affect circulation, contribute to dry eye syndrome, and increase your risk for long-term vision problems.
A diet high in sodium may also lead to fluid retention and puffiness around the eyes, making them feel more tired than they are.
Solutions & Treatments for Tired and Dry Eyes
Thankfully, there are plenty of accessible ways to relieve tired eyes and give them the rest they need. But if your symptoms persist, it’s important to speak with an optometrist, especially if you think dry eye disease might be the cause.
By booking an appointment with Mint Eyecare, we can help create a customized dry eye treatment plan for you that is more effective than over-the-counter options. We offer a range of dry eye treatment options, including:
Moisturizing Eye Drops
If dryness contributes to your eye fatigue, lubricating eye drops can help. Your eye doctor can prescribe medicated eye drops to help reduce inflammation or stimulate natural tear production for severe or chronic dry eye. At Mint Eyecare, we offer specialized artificial tears that can provide quick hydration and soothe irritated eyes. Not all dry eye products are the same, which is why it’s important to see your optometrist for solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Anti-Inflammatory Drops
When allergies or irritation cause redness, swelling, or inflammation, anti-inflammatory eye drops from your optometrist can provide targeted relief. These specialized drops can reduce the immune response in the eyes and help restore comfort more quickly than oral medications alone.
Lid Wipes
Eyelid hygiene is an important part of treating dry eye and blepharitis. Medicated lid wipes can help remove debris, bacteria, and oil buildup from the lash line, promoting healthier tear production and reducing irritation. At Mint Eyecare, we can recommend the right lid wipes for daily use as part of your personalized dry eye treatment plan.
Omega-3 Supplements
Omega-3 supplements have been shown to improve the quality and stability of your tear film, reducing inflammation and supporting long-term relief from dry eyes. At Mint Eyecare, we offer high-quality Omega-3 oil supplements as part of our range of dry eye treatment options.
Eye Masks and Warm Compresses
A specialized eye mask or warm compress applied to closed eyes for 5–10 minutes can help unclog the oil glands along your eyelids. Opening the glands promotes healthy tear production and eases irritation, especially if you suffer from blepharitis or dry eye syndrome.
Adjust Your Environment
Small environmental changes can go a long way:
- Use a humidifier to reduce indoor dryness
- Position screens slightly below eye level
- Take breaks from screen time every 20 minutes
- Adjust the lighting so the space is well-lit but not overly bright
Lifestyle Adjustments That Support Eye Comfort
Simple at-home strategies can help relieve tired, strained eyes, so you can focus on your routine.
Drink More Water
Hydration is key to both general and ocular health. Aim for at least 8 cups (2 litres) of water daily. If plain water isn’t your thing, add lemon slices or brew an herbal tea.
Prioritise Sleep
Getting enough rest—usually 7 to 9 hours per night—helps your eyes recover and maintain a healthy moisture barrier. Try limiting screen use an hour before bedtime to help your brain and eyes unwind naturally.
Eat for Your Eyes
A healthy diet can help prevent dry, tired eyes. Add more:
- Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
- Omega-3 rich fish (salmon, sardines)
- Colourful fruits & vegetables (carrots, blueberries, oranges)
A diet rich in nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C can significantly support your eye health.
Try the 20-20-20 Rule
The 20-20-20 rule is a simple yet helpful guideline when scheduling screen breaks is a challenge. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. It gives your eyes time to reset and reduces strain over time.
Set Boundaries with Screens
Blue light from screens can cause fatigue and disrupt your sleep cycle. Adjust your brightness settings, use blue light filters, and wear blue light-blocking glasses if necessary. Also, keep your monitor about arm’s length away from your eyes.
When to See an Optometrist
When tired eyes become a persistent issue, your eye doctor can help you protect your vision and identify underlying conditions that may impact your eye comfort. You should seek professional care if you notice:
- Frequent or worsening blurred vision
- Burning, gritty, or scratchy eyes
- Redness or swelling that doesn’t go away
- Headaches that seem tied to visual tasks
- Excessive dryness or tearing
A comprehensive eye exam can help uncover the cause of your symptoms—whether it’s dry eye syndrome, digital eye strain, an uncorrected prescription, or something else entirely.
Refresh Your Vision at Mint Eyecare
Tired eyes don’t have to be your new normal. With healthy habits, hydration, and support, your eyes can feel more comfortable and energized—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
At Mint Eyecare in Brampton, we take your eye health seriously. If your eyes feel constantly tired, blurry, or uncomfortable, we’ll help identify the root of the issue and create a personalized plan tailored to your needs.
Book your appointment today and start seeing the world with fresh eyes.
