Authored by: Dr. Fareed Ali
Computer technology has revolutionized the way that human beings operate in day-to-day life, both in the home and at the office. In fact, jobs are becoming more and more dependent on individuals being tech-savvy and spending long hours at a computer screen. This extended use requires observing a screen only a short distance away, for extended lengths of time for which your eyes were not designed. The result is a number of problems and symptoms that have been identified by workers and healthcare providers alike as directly related to computer use.
The negative vision and eye symptoms that accompany computer use are referred to as Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS for short. Since your eyes have to work their muscles to stay focused on such a nearby light source, they are constantly strained by glare, brightness, flickering, and require constant adjustment and effort to conquer. There are quite a few symptoms grouped under Computer Vision Syndrome, including double vision, dry eyes, red eyes, blurred vision, headaches, back pain, and eye irritation. Moreover, these symptoms are often worse for those that have pre-existing conditions, such as myopia, nearsightedness; hyperopia, farsightedness; or astigmatism.
Below are steps that can be taken to avoid or minimize the effects of computer vision syndrome:
Exercise Eye Muscles
Practice simple eye muscle exercises regularly to make sure that your eyes are strong and ready to go. Look around in different directions, up-and-down, side-to-side, and diagonally, to warm your eyes up for any intense work that they’ll be doing. This will strengthen the muscles and ensure that they are more prepared for exertion.
Set Up Your Computer Properly
One of the best ways to reduce strain on your eyes is to place your computer a safe distance away from your face. Ideally you want the monitor to be 50-75 cm away and below eye level. It has been proven that placing the monitor below eye level promotes increased blinking, which keeps the eye properly lubricated, thus avoiding the dryness and irritation commonly associated with CVS.
Give Your Eyes Breaks
Focusing is hard work for your eyes as it is for any muscle. In the same way that you would give your arms a break after lifting weights, you should give your eyes breaks from staring at a screen. Take deep breaths in order to increase oxygen flow and close your eyes. Keep taking deep breaths until you feel relaxed and at ease and let your eye muscles relax as well. Taking this time to rest could minimize irritation and soreness that comes with a tech-dependant job.
In essence, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) can cause a number of problems, but the effects of extensive computer use can be minimized when the proper precautions are taken. Unfortunately, the chances of having a symptom of CVS is much larger if you suffer from a pre-existing eye condition, but these can be treated by LASIK or PRK surgery. These procedures often provide perfect vision and leave the patient feeling liberated and confident. Contact us to find out more about how these procedures can change your life for the better.