That heavy, strained sensation in your eyes after a long day is a familiar feeling for many of us. It’s more than just an annoyance, it’s your body’s way of signalling that your eyes need some attention. This feeling of eye fatigue can come from a variety of sources, ranging from your daily habits to the environment around you.
Pinpointing the exact cause is the first step toward finding relief and improving your daily comfort. Your eyes often feel tired due to a mix of factors, including digital screen use, environmental conditions like our local climate, and underlying issues such as dry eye disease or an outdated prescription that requires an updated adult eye exam.
Understanding these triggers can help you take practical steps to help your eyes feel refreshed and comfortable.
Uncover the Reasons for Tired Eyes
From the screens we use daily to the dry air, there are many reasons your eyes may feel tired. Some causes are temporary, while others may signal an underlying issue.
From the bright screens we use daily to the environment around us, many factors contribute to eye fatigue. Simple habits and underlying conditions can both play a part. Let’s look at what might be happening.
Digital Screens & Your Eye Comfort
Staring at computers, phones, or tablets for hours is a frequent cause of eye strain. This is sometimes called digital eye strain. It happens because your eyes work harder to focus on screens.
Simple Changes for Screen Use
You can help reduce strain by following the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eye muscles a much-needed break.
Make sure your workspace is set up for comfort. Adjust your screen’s brightness and position it so you look slightly down at it—this can help your posture and eye comfort.
A Closer Look at Dry Eye
Persistent tired, gritty, or watery eyes can be a sign of dry eye disease. This happens when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the right quality of tears to stay lubricated. Our climate can sometimes make these symptoms more noticeable.
Common Signs of Dry Eye
- A scratchy or sandy feeling
- Stinging or burning sensations
- Redness or irritation
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision that comes and goes

How InVision’s Dry Eye Clinic Can Help
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, a thorough assessment can reveal what’s behind your discomfort.
At InVision Eyecare’s dry eye clinic in Saskatoon, we use advanced tools to examine your tear film and the surface of your eyes to determine the cause.
From there, we’ll recommend a personalized care plan, which may include at-home routines or in-office treatments, all aimed at helping your eyes feel more comfortable day-to-day.
Other Vision Factors & Eye Strain
Sometimes, tired eyes come from a simple need for an updated prescription. If your glasses or contact lenses are no longer correct for your vision, your eyes strain to see clearly. This can lead to fatigue and even headaches.
The Role of Routine Eye Exams
Regular check-ups are important for more than just clear vision. A comprehensive eye exam is a thorough health assessment, and during routine eye exams, we check your overall ocular health. This allows us to catch small issues before they become bigger problems.
Proper Contact Lens Fitting
Contact lenses that don’t fit well can also cause discomfort and dryness. A proper contact lens fitting makes sure the lenses are right for your eye shape and lifestyle. This can make a big difference in how your eyes feel throughout the day, so we offer detailed contact lens exams and fittings to find your ideal match.
Proactive Vision Care for Your Family
Tired eyes aren’t just an adult problem, children can experience them too, especially with increased screen use. For some children, this can be related to developing nearsightedness, or myopia. Monitoring their vision health is key.
We offer services like myopia control to help manage the progression of nearsightedness in children. Our team can develop a tailored myopia management plan with the goal of supporting their long-term eye health. Part of this process involves regular check-ups to monitor any changes.
Find Relief with an Eye Exam at InVision Eyecare
The first step toward easing tired eyes is understanding what’s causing your discomfort. A comprehensive eye exam gives our team a clear view of your eye health so we can identify the factors behind your symptoms.
Whether you need an updated prescription, advanced dry eye treatment, or guidance on simple daily habits, our team at InVision Eyecare is here to help. We take the time to listen to your concerns and create a care plan that’s tailored to you.Book your appointment today and take the first step toward clearer, more comfortable vision.