Fatigue or discomfort in the eyes caused by prolonged use or focusing, often resulting in headaches or blurred vision.
From 'eye' + 'strain' (stress or exertion). A compound term that emerged in the late 19th century as industrialization and factory work increased demands on vision.
Eyestrain has become more common since screens proliferated—your eyes strain differently on a screen than when reading because screens flicker 60+ times per second and emit blue light, which is something our ancestors' eyes were never designed to handle.
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