What is Computer Vision Syndrome? (C.V.S.)

This is a specific occupational disorder seen in individuals who spend several hours in front of the computer and focusing on a Vdu.

The chief symptoms include:

• Eyestrain
• Contact lens discomfort
• Heavy pulling feeling over eyes
• Fatigue
• Burning, red, watering eyes
• Headache
• Difficulty re-focusing on distant objects
• Neck, shoulder and back pain
• This, in turn, can cause physical fatigue, decreased productivity and increased work errors.

• DRYNESS OF EYES

• A normal person blinks about 16 times a minute. In front of the computer screen we tend to stare
• continuously and the blink rate drops to a low as 6 times per minute. This allows more time for tear
• evaporation and results in dryness of eyes.

WHY HAVE I DIFFICULTY IN FOCUSING THE SMALL PRINT? 

Unlike printed text which has dense black characters with well-defined edges, characters on a computer screen (pixels) are brightest at the center and diminish in intensity toward their edges. This makes it very difficult for our eyes to maintain focus and remain fixed on these images.

IMPROPER POSTURE
This will result in back, neck and shoulder pains that will worsen the symptoms of CVS.

What is eye muscle strain? (ASTHENOPIA)

Normally our eye muscles need to contract to maintain focus at any object closer than 20 feet. Average computer working distance is about 18 to 28 inches (50-80cms) and this means that our eye muscles are in a prolonged state of contraction or spasm as long as we are focused on the computer screen. This causes the muscles to become fatigued and results in headaches and difficulties in shifting focus to other objects.

What are the dangers of blue light?

According to The Vision Council report, 65% of people now suffer from digital eye strain, which is characterized by dry and irritated eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and neck and back pain. Futhermore, recent research indicated that prolonged exposure to the blue light emanating from digital screens may result in various eye health issues, such as macular degeneration and even cataracts. Blue light is found naturally in the sun’s light; but it’s also found – in high doses – in LED lighting, digital screens (computers, TV’s, smart phones and tablets) and energy efficient fluourescent lights (CFLs).

How can we reduce or even eliminate symptoms?

Dry eye is a major symptom targeted in the therapy CVS. The use of over-the-counter artificial tear solutions, shown below, can reduce the effects of dry eye in CVS.
Asthenopic symptoms in the eye are responsible for much of the discomfort in CVS. Proper rest to the eye & its muscles is recommended to relieve the associated eye strain. A routinely recommended approach is to consciously BLINK the eyes every now and then (this helps replenish the tear film), and look out of the window into the distant object or the sky (this provides rest to the ciliary muscles).

20-20-20 rule

One of the catch phrases is the “20-20-20 rule”;
Every 20 minutes,
Focus the eyes on an object 20 feet (6 metres) away, for 20 seconds.
Further to the MAR (multi anti-reflection) coating, A.K.A. Anti-Glare/Ultraclear which is recommended for computer work, we now have a newer version that blocks out the harmful blue light form your digital devices. So, we tackle both digital eyestrain as well as the short wave length blue light, by combining the MAR coat with the blue filter.

Computer screen Ergonomics

Monitor position to help with eye strain

Make sure your monitor is neither too high nor too low. The top of the monitor should be just below eye level.
If you reposition your chair, keep in mind that your arms should be parallel to the floor when you type, and your feet should be flat on the floor (or a footstool).
Finally, maintain good posture at your desk; keep your back straight and your shoulders back.