Eye Strain
Moderators: rcperryls, Rose, karen4bells, Serinde, Alex
Eye Strain
I have been getting eye strain whilst stitching for the last three or so months, annoyingly I can read books, use the lap top, watch TV and my sight is fine, but after ten minutes or so of stitching my eye sight blurs and I struggle to focus.
I have done everything I can think of to stop this but nothing seems to work.
I had an eye test last month my vision is very good but I was given reading glasses to ease the strain, I have taken breaks where I don't stitch for 3/4 days, I'm doing eye exercises since last week, I have a daylight lamp for stitching so its quite bright, I've switched from 20 to 18 count aida for a new project to see if that would help but I still have this problem, does anyone have any tips as I'm at a loss as to what to do next?
I know my eye's are fatigued I have been getting muscle twitches, does anyone know how long it would take to ease off, maybe I need to not stitch for longer period?
I have done everything I can think of to stop this but nothing seems to work.
I had an eye test last month my vision is very good but I was given reading glasses to ease the strain, I have taken breaks where I don't stitch for 3/4 days, I'm doing eye exercises since last week, I have a daylight lamp for stitching so its quite bright, I've switched from 20 to 18 count aida for a new project to see if that would help but I still have this problem, does anyone have any tips as I'm at a loss as to what to do next?
I know my eye's are fatigued I have been getting muscle twitches, does anyone know how long it would take to ease off, maybe I need to not stitch for longer period?
WIPS
Snow
Gamer Nouveau
Clara
Meadow
Snow
Gamer Nouveau
Clara
Meadow
- Mabel Figworthy
- Posts: 33061
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:05 pm
- Location: Dunchurch, UK
- Contact:
Re: Eye Strain
How infuriating! I'm afraid I can't offer any advice beyond what you're already doing - and will gratefully receive any great ideas on the subject as my eyes aren't what they used to be either
Visit Mabel's Fancies at www.mabelfigworthy.co.uk
WIPs
Elizabethan Beauty, RSN Certificate & Online
Waiting
Soli Deo Gloria, Mechthild, bling unicorn, goldwork & silk shading kits
Flights of Fancy (blog)
Mabel's FB page
WIPs
Elizabethan Beauty, RSN Certificate & Online
Waiting
Soli Deo Gloria, Mechthild, bling unicorn, goldwork & silk shading kits
Flights of Fancy (blog)
Mabel's FB page
- vanessanjf
- Posts: 12941
- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2009 11:43 am
- Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Re: Eye Strain
That must be really annoying. I think you just need to take regular breaks. The light is terrible this time of year which doesn’t help. I hope it passes soon and you will soon be stitching again.
Vanessa
A little progress every day adds up to big results
WIP
The adoration of the kings- Golden kite completed
A little progress every day adds up to big results
WIP
The adoration of the kings- Golden kite completed
- richardandtracy
- Posts: 5461
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:27 pm
- Location: Kent, UK
- Contact:
Re: Eye Strain
!!!!!!!!!!!
Is about the most useful thing I can say.
How ... [Searching for a polite word] ... Annoying.
Hope it clears up. The actions you're taking seem sensible.
One further thing that may help is a headset magnifier, other than that, we're left with exclamation marks.
Regards
Richard.
Is about the most useful thing I can say.
How ... [Searching for a polite word] ... Annoying.
Hope it clears up. The actions you're taking seem sensible.
One further thing that may help is a headset magnifier, other than that, we're left with exclamation marks.
Regards
Richard.
- kingfisher68(2)
- Posts: 681
- Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2017 6:13 pm
- Location: UK
Re: Eye Strain
So sorry to hear about the eye strain you are having. You have had a lot to contend with lately as you had hip/leg problems recently.
The only other thing I can suggest apart from what has already been said is to use an even larger count fabric for a while. I know I am older than you but I find 18 strains my eyes after an hour or so even with a magnifier & bright light. I am better with 16 or 14 count. Maybe you could do larger count projects in between the smaller count you are using now. That would give your eyes a bit more of a rest every now & then.
Hope you soon find a solution which suits you
The only other thing I can suggest apart from what has already been said is to use an even larger count fabric for a while. I know I am older than you but I find 18 strains my eyes after an hour or so even with a magnifier & bright light. I am better with 16 or 14 count. Maybe you could do larger count projects in between the smaller count you are using now. That would give your eyes a bit more of a rest every now & then.
Hope you soon find a solution which suits you
Izzi
If you believe you can you wil
Finished 2017
Pleasant Row Cottages
Kingfisher & flowers
If you believe you can you wil
Finished 2017
Pleasant Row Cottages
Kingfisher & flowers
-
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:55 pm
Re: Eye Strain
Hi,
I would recommend a visit to an eye doctor as it can be a problem with the eye muscles as wel.
All the best, Maartje
I would recommend a visit to an eye doctor as it can be a problem with the eye muscles as wel.
All the best, Maartje
-
- Posts: 293
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2016 11:59 pm
Re: Eye Strain
How aggravating! I am an avid reader as well as quilter and stitcher. I have found that I have to use much stronger reading glasses for quilting and stitching than I do to read. I use +1.75 or so to read with no eye strain at all, but need at least +2.50 or +3.00 to quilt or cross stitch. I have enough pairs of reading glasses scattered across the house, purses, project bags, and car to open at least a small mall kiosk. In the past I had been so frustrated with my inability to see to stitch, that I brought a sample of work on 22ct to show my eye doctor what I was trying to do - at which point he conceded that the prescription he gave me for reading would not be sufficient for the handwork. Hope this helps you a little.
Re: Eye Strain
Thank you for all your replies, the only thing I haven't tried is the magnifier thanks Richard, its interesting what you said about needing stronger glasses for quilting and stitching DisneyStitcher I'll pop in and have a chat with my opticians this week.
I am going to be patient and have a break for a couple of weeks see if that does the trick, along with keeping up the eye exercises I'm hoping this will recover them, I generally stitch for no more than a 2 hour sitting in the evenings but I'll do an hour when I get back to it and take it from there, I'm pretty sure my eye's are just tired and need a holiday!
In the meantime I'll just be watching everyone else's progress
I am going to be patient and have a break for a couple of weeks see if that does the trick, along with keeping up the eye exercises I'm hoping this will recover them, I generally stitch for no more than a 2 hour sitting in the evenings but I'll do an hour when I get back to it and take it from there, I'm pretty sure my eye's are just tired and need a holiday!
In the meantime I'll just be watching everyone else's progress
WIPS
Snow
Gamer Nouveau
Clara
Meadow
Snow
Gamer Nouveau
Clara
Meadow
Re: Eye Strain
I have "dry eyes" and use an eye lubricant (which reminds me that I am out and need to get some more). I also use a magnilight, which is especially helpful on larger count fabrics. Check with your optician or ophthalmologist. Taking care of your eyes is a high priority!
Carole
Carole
WIPs
Star Wars Afghan:Chewbaca
HAEDs:
O Kitten Tree
Dancing with the Cat
Everything else "on hold"
2022 Finished: Star Wars Afghan: Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Finn, Rey, Poe, Han Solo,Darth Vader, BB8,Luke Skywalker
Star Wars Afghan:Chewbaca
HAEDs:
O Kitten Tree
Dancing with the Cat
Everything else "on hold"
2022 Finished: Star Wars Afghan: Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Finn, Rey, Poe, Han Solo,Darth Vader, BB8,Luke Skywalker
- Podolyanka
- Posts: 1706
- Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2017 4:30 pm
- Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Re: Eye Strain
Possibly you need special eyeglasses for stitching. I have been ordering ones since 1998. The difference in my case is 0.5. That is, while right now my reading glasses are +4.75, for stitching I need +5.25.
To check what exactly glasses you need for stitching, take a piece of Aida 14 (or whichever you stitck to) with you to the Doctor and she will resolve the problem within 5 min.
And remember that if you stitch on Aida 14 in the lenses for finer fabric, you will feel uncomfortable on Aida 14. Depending on the count, you'd better use different glasses. Well, so many words. But I am trying to help from my own experience.
To check what exactly glasses you need for stitching, take a piece of Aida 14 (or whichever you stitck to) with you to the Doctor and she will resolve the problem within 5 min.
And remember that if you stitch on Aida 14 in the lenses for finer fabric, you will feel uncomfortable on Aida 14. Depending on the count, you'd better use different glasses. Well, so many words. But I am trying to help from my own experience.
Lyudmila
- BizzieLizzie
- Posts: 2028
- Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 1:12 pm
- Location: Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
Re: Eye Strain
Is there any chance your daylight lamp is TOO bright for your eyes? Especially if it's reflecting off pale fabric? Just a thought ...
Sew many patterns, sew little time!
WIP
HAED Drawing Room
HAED Stitchers Retreat
Lion Profile
Coniferous Forest
WIP
HAED Drawing Room
HAED Stitchers Retreat
Lion Profile
Coniferous Forest
Re: Eye Strain
Sorry to hear that , Lulu (hug)Lulu22 wrote: I have been getting muscle twitches, does anyone know how long it would take to ease off,
Last year, one of my eye twitched for months until I took some Magnesium supplements. It stopped very quickly after that, so in my case it was lack of magnesium.
May be you could try that too. xx
Hélène
Finished: Joan Elliott. Rainbow Fairy
Fit Kit by Peter Underhill
The Choir by Peter Underhill
Angel Of The Morning by Lavender & Lace
Best of Friends by Mabel Lucie Attwell
Finished: Joan Elliott. Rainbow Fairy
Fit Kit by Peter Underhill
The Choir by Peter Underhill
Angel Of The Morning by Lavender & Lace
Best of Friends by Mabel Lucie Attwell
Re: Eye Strain
That's interesting about the magnesium Helene I'll try anything if it works!
I have ordered a clip on magnifying glass that should be here in a few days, so I hope that works for me.
Thank you every one for your help I really appreciate it.
I have ordered a clip on magnifying glass that should be here in a few days, so I hope that works for me.
Thank you every one for your help I really appreciate it.
WIPS
Snow
Gamer Nouveau
Clara
Meadow
Snow
Gamer Nouveau
Clara
Meadow
- richardandtracy
- Posts: 5461
- Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 4:27 pm
- Location: Kent, UK
- Contact:
Re: Eye Strain
My youngest daughter gets eyelid twitches rather like Dreyfus in the Inspector Clouseau films. Happens when you mention something she objects to very strongly. Quite funny really, but she can't voluntarily stop it & she finds it very wearing.
Hope the problem eases.
Regards,
Richard.
Hope the problem eases.
Regards,
Richard.