Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

If you use a computer regularly, you probably suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). CVS refers to a collection of eye and vision problems associated with computer use, and about three-quarters of computer users have it.

Computer Vision Symptoms

The most common symptoms of CVS include: eyestrain or eye fatigue, dry eyes, burning eyes, light sensitivity, blurred vision, headaches and pain in the shoulders, neck or back.

Causes and Treatment

Problems with your eyes (eyestrain, dry eyes, burning and light sensitivity) during computer use can result from: insufficient tear flow to the eyes, too much glare and reflection on the monitor, monitor settings that are hard on the eyes and needing glasses (for the first time, or a new pair), eye muscle cordination problems(eye strain even with the correct glases).

Glasses

Needing new glasses for the computer is more common than most people realize. If you're suffering from eyestrain and other irritated-eye symptoms you may or may not need a new pair of glasses. However; if you also have blurred vision then you , probably will need a pair. Most people who are suffering from blurred vision while using a computer are middle-aged or older. The reason is that it becomes harder to focus at near and intermediate distances as the eye ages.

Why are my regular glasses not working well on the computer?

One problem is that most “everyday” glasses are not well suited for the computer as they either correct for only distance and near (lined bifocal) or only have a small zone available for intermediate distances (no line or progressive bifocal). Another disadvantage to wearing everyday glasses at the computer is that to achieve the power necessary to view the computer comfortably the user must look down in the lens’s and since the computer is postioned at or close to eye level the computer user must tilit their head causing unecissary neck strain. Therefore, computer glasses may solve your problems with headaches, neck, shoulder and back pains associated with computer use.
In addition to fixing your blurry vision, computer glasses can help with another problem as well: eyestrain from bright office lighting. Getting antireflective coating on your lenses can significantly reduce the amount of glare and reflected light that reach your eyes. Fluorescent office lights emit a great deal of blue light, which has scattering characteristics; therefore, ultraviolet coating can cut down on the amount of blue light that reaches your eyes, as can an amber tint.

Contacts and computers

Contacts can be a great way to correct your computer vision problems without glasses, but contacts tend to dry out more at the computer and this dryness must be prevented to maintain comfortable clear vision (read below about irritated dry eyes).

Irritated burning eyes

Having irritated eyes (eyestrain, dry eyes, burning and light sensitivity) is one of the most common complaints about computer use, and it has a variety of causes. Blinking is high on that list, you actually blink two-thirds less than usual when you're looking at a computer. When you don't blink enough, your eyes can become dried out and irritated.
This is always a tough problem to fix as the cause is probably multifaceted.

1. Try to make a conscious effort to blink more often.

2. Take a couple second break every few minutes and try to gaze at distant objects.

3. Use artificial tears as you need them; especially if you’re a contact lens wearer. If the drops seem to alleviate the problem come in and Dr. Chamberlain or Dr. Smith can instill punctual plugs, (small silicone plugs inserted into your eye lid) which will prevent your tears from draining quickly and may reduce or cease your need for drops.

Sometimes your aches and pains are the result of a poor ergonomic set-up

Ergonomics

1. Make sure your monitor is about 20-26 inches away from and directly in front of you.

2. Make sure that the monitor is poitioned about 4 to nine inces below straight ahead.

3. Make sure to place all work material at the same height and distance as the monitor as this will prevent eyestrain from focusing at different distances and heights.

Glare and Reflection

Both office lighting and sunlight can create a lot of glare and reflection on your monitor. Here's what you can do:
1. Turn off overhead lights that are too bright. If this turns out to be not bright enough, switch to a lower wattage bulb, or use a desk lamp.

2. Move your desk lamp to a spot where it doesn't reflect on the screen or shine in your eyes.

3. Attach a glare filter or hood to your computer

4. Turn your monitor off and adjust its tilt to reduce the reflection of light sources hitting the screen.

Brightness and Contrast

Brightness and contrast controls are usually buttons on the front of the monitor. How can you tell what a good brightness level is? You want it to match the room brightness. Try looking at something with a white background, such as this web page. If the white seems almost like a light source that's too bright. If it seems to have a gray filter over it, that's not bright enough. If your room lighting is neither too bright nor too dark, you should end up with a setting in your monitor's mid-range.
After you're finished with the brightness, adjust the contrast to the highest amount you are comfortable with (this should be a very high level of contrast).

Text Size and Color

Adjusting how your monitor displays text can provide welcome eyestrain relief. Ideally, your text size should be three times the smallest text size you can read from your normal viewing position.

Monitor Display Quality

How well your monitor displays everything on the screen depends on refresh rate, and resolution. Ideally you want a high refreh rate (above 70Hz), and high resolution.

Eye cordination problems:

Since the computer is set at a near distance it requires the eyes to constantly maintain a converged or turned in state. This constant converging of the eyes can cause eyestrain after a long day at the computer and is typically treated by building the eye muscles so that they can converge for long periods of time without fatigue. to learn more click here