Fatigue, or a persistent feeling of extreme tiredness, is common and can affect anyone. It may arise after intense physical activity, dehydration, or as a symptom of an underlying health condition. While fatigue often resolves with rest and hydration, certain cases may require closer attention. Interestingly, one of the first places your body shows signs of exhaustion is through your eyes.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Girish Budhrani, Chief Medical Officer, Cataract and Cornea Specialist, Sankara Eye Hospital, Panvel, highlights common signs in your eyes that may indicate extreme tiredness.
Also Read: Best Remedies For Eye Fatigue You Can Try If Your Screentime Is High!
How Fatigue Affects Your Eyes
Studies suggest that prolonged fatigue doesn’t just slow your body—it affects your eyes, too. “When you're running low on energy, your eye muscles are, too,” says Dr Budhrani, explaining that fatigue slows down how well your eyes can focus, and even your blinking gets lazy, which dries out the surface of the eye. Less oxygen reaches those tiny eye tissues, which can leave your vision feeling fuzzy or even doubled. It’s your brain and eyes teaming up to say, “We need a break.”
Why Should You Limit Screen Exposure?
Screen time can be a common contributing factor of fatigue, not just physically, but also in terms of your eyes. According to Dr Budhrani, trying to use a screen when already tired is equal to competing in a race when you already have sore limbs. "Focusing on screens when tired takes a lot of effort, which reduces blinking. Every time you try to focus on a screen, your eye straining increases, which further deepens fatigue.”
A study published in the journal Cureus suggests that rising screen time from constant use of phones, computers, and TVs can harm both mental and physical health. It disrupts sleep, increases stress, anxiety, and depression, and can lead to obesity and heart issues. In children, it may affect brain development and hormone balance.
Vision-Related Signs Of Tiredness
When it comes to recognising signs of tiredness through your eyes, here are some signs to watch out for:
- Redness
- Puffiness
- Droopy lids
- Blurry vision
- Lights look extra bright or halos are forming around them.
- Eyes cannot “focus” on something.
Additionally, start paying attention to the general signs, like frequent yawning, struggling to concentrate, heavy eyelids, and rubbing your eyes a lot.
Also Read: Why Do My Eyes Feel Heavy In Winters?
A Final Word
If your eyes feel heavy, your vision blurs, or lights start to feel too harsh, it's not just a sign of screen fatigue; it’s your body asking for rest. As Dr Budhrani explains, our eyes are deeply connected to our energy levels, and when we’re exhausted, they’re among the first to show it. Ignoring these early signals can worsen discomfort or even mask an underlying issue. Taking regular breaks, limiting screen time when tired, and getting quality sleep aren’t just good for your body. It is important for your vision too.