Yes, Computer Vision Syndrome is a real diagnosis, and if you work on the computer for greater than 3 hours at one sitting, you likely suffer from it!  Extended computer use has been well documented to cause eye strain and fatigue, watering, burning, redness, dryness, blurry vision, and headaches.  Why is using the computer so detrimental to your eyes?  It is a really unnatural setting for our ocular system.

The computer is typically 2-3 feet in front of us, forcing our eye muscles to constantly “accommodate” or strain to focus

We blink about 50% less at the computer screen because our brain signals our eyes to stay open longer to process more information.  Basically you are staring.  For hours.  Without a break.

Not only is the screen unnaturally close and you are staring at it, there’s also light coming from it, casting a constant glare that obscures vision

How can you improve your computer comfort?  Ergonomics are very important.  

Make sure your computer screen is not too close or too far away from you.  About an arm’s length is correct.  

Make sure your computer screen is positioned about 15 degrees below eye level.  If the screen is above your eye level, your eyes have to stay wide open longer, causing them to dry out with time.  If your screen is below eye level, your top eyelids can hang down, protecting your eyes from drying out 

Take breaks about every 20 minutes to look at a distant point across the room and blink.  

Allowing your eye muscles to rest from their constant focusing action at the computer can preserve their strength.  If your vision is blurry in the distance when you look away, and then takes a few minutes to clear, your eyes were working WAY too hard at the computer!

If your eyes get red, watery, or dry, you may need a rewetting drop for relief.  Over the counter tear drops can be used up to 4 x a day if they are not preservative free.  Do NOT use a red eye drop like Visine or Clear Eyes if you are suffering from these issues.  They will make your eyes look less red for a short time, but will only worsen the dryness that is causing your redness, causing a worsening of your symptoms!

Having your eyes checked by a professional is very important if you suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome, even if you have never needed to wear glasses before in your life.  Even a small refractive error (vision anomalies) can create major strain and fatigue at the computer.  Often times, I prescribe my computer users with complaints low astigmatism or low “anti-fatigue” plus prescriptions to help relax their eyes.  

Many times, these patients don’t need to wear glasses for other activities, but their computer glasses just allow their eyes to better relax.  I always recommend an anti-reflective coating for computer glasses due to computer screen glare. 

Sometimes a yellow or amber tint can also help increase comfort by increasing contrast and reducing glare.  Think of computer glasses as doing the work for your eyes; an aid to help make your job easier and more comfortable!

You have a fair chance that you have computer vision syndrome if you are constantly using a computer. This is a kind of pressure on the eye due to the prolonged application of digital displays. Computer vision syndrome may cause, among many other symptoms:

dry eyes

headaches

eye fatigue

Computer vision syndrome doesn’t mean you have to give up your time. You could make a massive difference in your perception of a digital device.

Keep reading to learn much more about the syndrome in computer vision. We are going to discuss the causes, signs, and lifestyle changes to avoid this disease.

About the Syndrome

Computer vision syndrome is a disorder that may cause particular vision or eye disorders like optical eye strain or computer eye strain.

eye strain

headache

eye fatigue

tearing eyes

double vision

blurry vision

itchy or red eyes

shoulder pain

dry eyes

neck pain

It is due to a long-term emphasis on a digital screen. Digital screens on devices such as:

computers

e-readers

tablets

smartphones

Your eyes must work harder to concentrate on the computer screen. The result is that the digital screen text isn’t quite as sharp also as printed page wording.

Digital displays are often susceptible to glare, which makes the focus much more difficult for your eyes. If you display a digital screen for two or even more hours in a row, you can develop computer vision syndrome more often.

Additional optical eye strain risk factors involve:

Every day glance at a digital screen

Glare on a computer screen or reflection

Improper angle or distance of view

Poor illumination

Vision problems that have not been fixed (like astigmatism or farsightedness)

Incorrect eyeglasses prescription

poor sitting posture

If you routinely use digital images for several hours a day or have an underlying eye disease, the symptoms will be more severe.

Tips to Ease the Eye Strain

By adjusting the way you use digital displays, you can minimize or eliminate pressure on your eyes. Here are some suggestions that can prevent tension and pain in your eyes.

Adjust the computer

Place 20-28 inches of your eye on your computer monitor. If you sit too near a digital screen, your eye strain will increase.

Put the screen down entirely from 4-5 inches below eye level. Turn from 10-20 degrees on top of the screen. Please ensure that your neck does not turn up or down to see the screen.

You could also visualize and more straightforwardly read the text as well as the photos by increasing your device’s contrast, font size, and brightness.

Blink Frequently

Eyes Blinking helps avoid drying the eyes by distributing moisture and mice around the eyes. You can make your eyes dry & frustrated if you wouldn’t blink frequently enough.

You will blink much less though you should when looking at a monitor or digital screen. In reality, you blink 66 percent less on a computer as per the University of Iowa.

Try to blink frequently when you use a tablet or other optical gadget, and take your eyes for rest regularly from a mirror.

Reduce the Glare on the Screen 

Screen shine occurs when the screen reflects light. Overhead lighting or adjacent windows also provide illumination.

Take a look at or remove blindness:

Closing the windows blinds, shades, or curtains to minimize the glare of the screen

Use light bulbs with lower wattage

Overhead lights dimming

Adding your monitor a screen glare

Use the Correct Eyeglasses

Please ensure that your medication is right if you wear eyeglasses. With the wrong prescription, the eyes will find it difficult to concentrate correctly. You could be more susceptible to headaches and eye stress.

You can need to have a new prescription-only for watching digital screens whether your glasses are there for reading, distance, or both.

Adjust your Body Posture

Poor posture will increase the risk of strain in your eye. That is why, when sitting in front of your screen, it is necessary to design your workplace to encourage good alignment.

Beware of such tips for good posture while seated in front of your monitor or other digital screen:

Sit right on your shoulders, keeping your eyes aligned. Avoid leaning your head and neck.

Stay calm for your shoulders. Do not slouch or hunch forwards.

Slightly below your eye level places your computer screen. Make sure that you don’t turn or lean up against your head and see your phone clearly.

Use the correct height of a chair. Try to keep your feet plane or slightly higher than your hips in your knee.

Use a well-supported rear chair. Try sitting down and feel the spine supporting the rear of the chair.

Take Breaks at Regular Intervals

Continuous use of such a digital screen is a significant risk factor for computer vision syndrome.

Make regular breaks to mitigate your risk:

Come on to rule 20-20-20. The 20-20-20 rule will aid you in concentrating and rest your eyes. Watch for 20 seconds, every twenty minutes, about 20 feet away.

Cover your eyes for 15 minutes after 2 hours of continuous screen use. Get away from your monitor and concentrate on objects closer to your digital screen and farther away.

Do tasks without a computer. Do not glance at another digital screen during any break. Try to perform non-screen tasks like document organization or a walk.

Use Eye Medicine

Lubricating eye drops are intended for moisturizing the skin. You can purchase many forms of OTC lubricating eye drops to help relieve the symptoms of dry eye.

Ask your eye doctor for a prescribed product if your eyes are either dry or irritated after attempting OTC drops.

Final Words

Computer vision syndrome usually affects individuals who have long periods with digital displays. A number of symptoms may occur, including:

blurry vision

headaches

eye fatigue

dry eyes

Rest the eyes 15 minutes after using the screen for 2 hours in order to prevent optical eye stress. Change your display and workspace to minimize glare. Blend often and use grainy eye drops to humidify the skin.

When you wear eyeglasses, schedule your appointment annually for the right prescription. Talk to the eye doctor if the signs of your eye strain continue or get worse.

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