Computer Vision Syndrome : Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Computer vision Syndrome also known as 'Digital Eye Strain' is a group of eye disorder that result from longer exposure to computer or any digital screen.

Causes : When we work at a Computer, our eyes have to focus and refocus all the time. They move back and forth as we read. Our eyes react to images constantly moving and changing, shifting focus, sending varying images to the brain. All these work require lots of effort from our eye muscles and to make things worse the screen add contrast and glare. Secondly concentrating on computer decreases our blink rate which causes eyes to dry out and this blurred our vision.

Symptoms

• Eyestrain
• Headache (frontal)
• Blurred Vision
• Dry eyes (Irritation, burning)
• Occasional Red eye
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Difficulty in focusing

Treatment

1. Computer Adjustment : Computer screen should be portioned 20-25 inches from eyes and slightly blow eye level about 4-5 inches. Make sure not tilting neck upward or downward to see the screen. Adjustment of contract, brightness and font size as per need.
2. Frequent Blinking : Blinking helps to protect our eyes from drying by spreading adequate moisture and mucus across eyes. D**** of blinking causes dry, irritated eyes.
3. Sitting Posture : Sit up straight, keep your shoulder relaxed, position computer screen slightly below eye level, using chair with right height and with guard back support.
4. Using right eyeglasses : Eyeglass wearer should use correct prescription and lenses with beneficial coatings like Antireflection, Blue ray filter etc. to protect eyes from annoying screen glare. Wearing wrong prescription can make it difficult for eyes to focus correctly which may increase the risk for eye strain & headaches.
5. Taking regular break : All computer user should take a regular break in order to relax the eyes. They can follow 20-20-20 rule which says that after every 20 minutes blink your eyes 20 times and see something 20 feet far away.
6. Frequent use of lubricating eye drop to keep eyes moisturized and to relieve the symptoms of dryness.