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What are the Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome? What Causes Computer Vision Syndrome? How can I Prevent CVS? Should I Upgrade my Monitor? Will a Computer Glare Screen Help Alleviate CVS? What to do about tired eyes from too much reading and computer? Is it necessary for adults and children to wear special eye protection when working on the computer? Is such protection necessary if vision correction spectacles are being used? Recently my vision has become increasingly light sensitive, and when I read, sometimes the words will appear to magnify, then demagnify. Occasionally it seems distance vision is blurred after doing close work. Is this computer vision syndrome, and what should I do about it? The whites of my eyes are not white. They often become red when I work hard (such as read a book or use a computer). I am 39 years old. I'm Thai, but now I stay in Belgium to study. Could this be caused by the change in climate? How can I relieve eye stress from looking at computers all day every day? Do you think that computer use can harm children's vision? Yes, but only if the computer use is excessive. Do computer eyeglasses help? Will Glare Screens Prevent Computer Vision Syndrome? Will Computer Spectacles Make the Screen Clearer? Do Computer Spectacles Look Like Safety Glasses? What About the Tints I've Heard of for Computer Lenses? Does Every Computer User Need Computer Glasses? If I Don't Have Symptoms of CVS, Do I Still Need Computer Eyewear? Will My Reading Glasses Work at the Computer? Is It True That if a Person Doesn't See the Computer Screen Clearly, He May Not Be as Productive? Isn't Ergonomics the Solution to Computer Eyestrain? Is It True That Wearing Computer Spectacles Will Make My Eyes Worse? |
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Computer Vision Syndrome What are the Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome? If you notice any of the following symptoms after prolonged use of the computer, then you very likely suffer from CVS: - Neck and shoulder pain - Burning Eyes - Double vision - Blurred vision - Squinting What Causes Computer Vision Syndrome? Prolonged use of a computer often leads to CVS. Although our eyes are perfectly able to read text on paper for a prolonged period of time, when we try to read on a computer monitor our eyes have to work a lot harder to maintain focus. Additionally, glare and reflection also cause some symptoms of CVS. How can I Prevent CVS? Unfortunately, the only way to completely prevent CVS is to stop using a computer monitor. Our current technology (LCD monitors) is still unable to prevent reflections and provide print-like definition. A good alternative might be to purchase an electronic reader device that utilizes digital ink such as the Amazon Kindle which with adequate illumination will never cause CVS. Should I Upgrade my Monitor? A priority of monitor manufacturers is to produce monitors that provoke less eye strain. That's why as time passes, better and better monitors are being developed that provoke less eye strain. Eventually, there should be a monitor that doesn't cause eye strain due to completely new technology. For now, though, you should make sure to upgrade your monitor whenever something better reaches the market. Will a Computer Glare Screen Help Alleviate CVS? Computer glare screens are as old as computer monitors and they often cause more harm than good. The main reason why people suffer from CVS is because of eye strain. If you read text from behind a glare screen, don't you think you are just making your eyes' job harder? The same thing goes to tinted eye glasses and even to people who use sunglasses to use the computer. Staring at a computer monitor for hours on end has become a part of the modern workday. And inevitably, all of that staring can put a real strain on your eyes. The name for eye problems caused by computer use is computer vision syndrome (CVS). CVS is not one specific eye problem. Instead, the term encompasses a whole range of eyestrain and pain experienced by computer users. Research shows computer eye problems are common. Somewhere between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen have at least some symptoms of eye trouble. In addition, working adults aren't the only ones vulnerable to computer vision syndrome. Kids who stare at portable video games or who use computers throughout the day at school also can experience eye problems related to computer use, especially if the lighting and computer position are less than ideal. How Can the Computer Screen Affect Vision? Computer vision syndrome is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive stress injuries at work. It occurs when you're carrying out the same motion over and over again. Just like those other repetitive stress injuries, computer vision syndrome can get worse the longer you continue the activity. Working at a computer requires that the eyes continuously focus, move back and forth, and align with what you are seeing. You may have to look down at papers and then back up to type, and the eyes have to accommodate to changing images on the screen in order to create a clear picture for the brain to interpret. All of these functions require a lot of effort from eye muscles. Working on a computer is more challenging to your eyes than reading a book or piece of paper, because a computer screen also adds the elements of screen contrast, flicker, and glare. Computer eye problems are more likely to occur if you already have an eye problem -- such as nearsightedness or astigmatism -- or if you need glasses but don't wear them or wear the wrong prescription for computer use. Working at a computer gets even more difficult as you get older. That's because the lens of your eye becomes less flexible. The ability to focus on near and far objects starts to diminish after about age 40 -- a condition called presbyopia. What Symptoms Are Part of Computer Vision Syndrome? There's no evidence that computer vision syndrome causes any long-term damage to the eyes -- for example, cataracts. However, regular computer use can be the source of significant eyestrain and discomfort. If you have computer vision syndrome, you may experience some or all of these symptoms: Blurred vision Double vision Dry, red eyes Eye irritation Headaches Neck or back pain If these symptoms are not treated, they can have a real effect on your work performance. Is There a Way to Relieve Computer Vision Syndrome? Making a few simple changes in your work environment can help prevent and improve computer vision symptoms: Cut the glare. Change the lighting around you to reduce glare on the computer screen. If a nearby window is casting glare on your screen, move the monitor and close the shades until the glare disappears. Ask your employer to install a dimmer switch for the overhead lights if they're too bright, or buy a desk lamp with a moveable shade that distributes light evenly over your desk. Putting a glare filter over the screen monitor also can help protect your eyes. Rearrange your desk. Researchers find that the optimal position for your computer monitor is slightly below eye level, about 20 to 28 inches away from the face. At that position, you shouldn't have to stretch your neck or strain your eyes to see what's on the screen. Put a stand next to your computer monitor and place any printed materials you're working from on it. Then, you won't have to look up at the screen and back down at the desk while you type. Give your eyes a break. Look away from the screen every 20 minutes or so and either gaze out the window or scan the room for about 20 seconds to rest your eyes. Blink often to keep the eyes moist. If eyes are getting overly dry, try using lubricating eyedrops. Tweak your computer settings. You don't have to live with the factory-installed settings on your computer if you're uncomfortable. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and font size until you find the best settings for your vision. Visit your eye doctor regularly for an exam to ensure your prescriptions are adequate. Let the doctor know about any eyestrain or other problems you're experiencing at work. You may need glasses or contact lenses to correct your computer eye problems. The eye doctor will help determine whether you can just wear your regular glasses or if you need special computer glasses. These may contain a single or bifocal lens, or tinted lens material, which may help increase contrast perception and filter out glare and reflective light to reduce symptoms of eye strain. Also have children's eyes checked often. Make sure any computers they use are set up at the right height and with optimal lighting to minimize glare. Will Glare Screens Prevent Computer Vision Syndrome? Glare screen filters may help somewhat, but they will not solve your computer vision problems because they only affect glare from the computer screen — not the visual problems related to the constant refocusing of your eyes when working at a computer. Only when your eyes can focus clearly at the plane of proper distance on the computer screen can they experience relief from the fatiguing effects of CVS. An anti-reflective coating (ARC) is also highly recommended on all computer eyeglasses. An Anti Reflection Coating prevents glare and reflections on the front and the back of the lenses that would interfere with focusing on the screen. Will Computer Spectacles Make the Screen Clearer? Yes, because they will eliminate the constant refocusing effort that your eyes go through when viewing the screen. It has also been proven clinically that having the correct prescription in computer eyeglasses increases productivity and accuracy. Do Computer Spectacles Look Like Safety Glasses? No. Almost any style of frame can be used for computer eyewear. More important are the lenses that your eye doctor chooses for your computer eyeglasses. Ninety percent of the time, multifocal lenses will be your best choice, as they are designed specifically for working at a computer. They allow you to see clearly at your correct computer screen distance and can give you some distance vision beyond the computer. But whether the lenses are multifocal or single vision, you and your eye doctor must determine the best lenses for your work environment. What About the Tints I've Heard of for Computer Lenses? If you work in a brightly lit office, you may benefit from a light tint applied to your computer lenses. This can cut the amount of light that reaches your eyes and provide relief in some cases. But tints and filters don't address the underlying cause of computer eyestrain. Does Every Computer User Need Computer Glasses? More than 70% of computer users need computer eyeglasses. In fact, according to a study out of the University of California, Berkeley, 25%-30% of children would benefit from computer eyewear. If I Don't Have Symptoms of CVS, Do I Still Need Computer Eyewear? Maybe. According to a University of Alabama study (2004), computer users who are not experiencing symptoms of computer vision syndrome may also need computer eyewear. The study reports that it does not matter whether subjects reported symptoms of CVS. The fact is that viewing a computer screen is a different stimulus for the eyes than reading printed materials. It is much more difficult for the eyes to focus on pixels than on printed characters. Individuals with no visual problems may still be losing productivity and accuracy at the computer. This is the number one reason to get a regular eye exam from a computer vision specialist. Will My Reading Glasses Work at the Computer? Not necessarily. As with anything else you do in life, it is important to have the right tool for the job. You would not use a hammer when you need a screwdriver. The same goes for your vision: you would not use distance glasses for doing close work. So in most cases your reading glasses are probably not going to do the job. The correct computer eyeglasses will optimize your comfort and productivity at the computer screen while also allowing you to read and see out at some determined distance (10-13 feet). Reading glasses are usually prescribed to read at a distance of 16"-18", but computer glasses are usually designed to work at 18" to 28". Is It True That if a Person Doesn't See the Computer Screen Clearly, He May Not Be as Productive? Yes, but in cases where the correction is only slightly off, the computer user may think he is seeing the screen clearly. Yet a recent study at the University of Alabama found that over time even the smallest miscorrections can cause big problems down the road, including loss of productivity and accuracy in the workplace. The eyes viewing a computer for many hours a day is analogous to the eye muscles being forced to do push-ups for hours and hours. Over time, these push-ups will significantly affect productivity, accuracy, and comfort. Isn't Ergonomics the Solution to Computer Eyestrain? Ergonomics is important — changing one's computer workstation can certainly help to minimize other physical symptoms. But ergonomics cannot fix a visual problem. The proper prescription computer spectacles at the proper computer distance (18" to 28") is most important. This can be done only with the right computer lens prescription. Is It True That Wearing Computer Spectacles Will Make My Eyes Worse? This is not true. In fact, prescription eyeglasses can prevent further damage to the eyes. Depending on your prescription, an eyecare professional will probably fit you in either single vision or multifocal lenses. The single vision lens is designed to optimize your vision at one distance only: near for reading or work at the computer; or far for distance (watching a movie or driving). Many eyecare professionals are now fitting computer users in a multifocal lens that has a wide intermediate zone, which optimizes computer work. This lens also allows the wearer to read printed material while working at the computer and see a limited distance (10 to 13 feet). It is true that your eyes will get worse if you continue to stress the eye muscles and do not wear prescription eyeglasses. |