Computer Vision Syndrome occurs for around 50% to 80% of people who stare at computer screens for long hours as part of their jobs. Eye problems caused by computer use fall is now known as computer vision syndrome. CVS occurs because our eyes follow the same path again & again. It may get worse depending for how long the movement is continued. Computer Eye Strain (CVS) may give rise to several recurring problems such as physical fatigue, decreased productivity, and increased numbers of work errors, eye twitching, and red eyes.
Annual Eye Exam
- Computer users should have an eye exam before they start working on a computer and annually after that.
- Tell your eye doctor how often you use a computer at work and at home.
- Measure how far your eyes are from your screen when you sit at your work/home computer, and bring this measurement to your exam so your eye doctor can test your eyes at that specific working distance.
Comfortable Lighting
- Excessively bright light either from harsh interior lighting or sunlight coming in through a window can cause eye strain.
- Reduce outdoor light by closing drapes, shades or blinds.
- Decrease interior lighting by using fewer light bulbs or fluorescent tubes, or lower intensity bulbs and tubes, and reducing overhead lighting.
- Position the computer monitor or screen so windows are to the side, instead of in front or behind it.
Reduce glare
- Reflections on your computer screen as well as glare on walls and reflective surfaces cause CVS.
- Install an anti-glare screen on your monitor.
- Paint bright white walls a darker colour with a matte finish.
- Cover the windows.
- When outside light cannot be reduced, use a computer hood.
- For spectacle users, lenses with anti-reflective (AR) coating reduces glare by cutting the amount of light reflecting off the front and back surfaces of the eyeglass lenses.
Switch to Displays with Anti- Reflective Surfaces
- Flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD), like those on laptop computers, are easier on the eyes and usually have anti-reflective surfaces.
- Choose a relatively large display - for a desktop computer, select a display that has a diagonal screen size of at least 19 inches.
Blink
- Blinking moistens eyes & prevents dryness and irritation.
- People blink less frequently while working at a computer.
- Many blinks performed while staring at a screen are only partial lid closures, according to studies.
- Tears coating the eye evaporate quickly during long non-blinking phases and causing dry eyes.
- The air in many office environments is cold & dry, increasing the evaporation of your tears, putting you at greater risk for dry eye problems.
- If you experience dry eye symptoms, ask your eye doctor about artificial tears for use during the day.
Exercise Your Eyes
- Every 20 minutes, blink 10 times by closing your eyes as if falling asleep - very slowly. This will help rewet your eyes.
- Look far away at an object for 10-15 seconds, then stare at something up close for 10-15 seconds. Then look back at the distant object. Do this 10 times. This exercise decreases the risk of your eyes' focusing ability to "lock up" (accommodative spasm) after lengthy computer work.