Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a condition that arises from the eyes focusing on a computer or digital device for prolonged, uninterrupted periods of time. The eye muscles are unable to recover or relax from that constant tension required to maintain focus on a computer or any other close objects.
Symptoms of CVS can include the following:
• Headaches
• Blurred Vision
• Neck Pain
• Fatigue
• Eye Strain
• Dry Eyes
• Irritated Eyes
• Double Vision
• Vertigo / Dizziness
• Difficulty Refocusing the Eyes
These symptoms can be aggravated by improper lighting conditions or ventilation. These days, many of us have jobs that require us to stare at a computer screen all day or for long periods of time. It is no surprise that eye problems are increasing now a days due to these digital devices. CVS isn’t one specific problem but more of a range of issues that can be leading to this. Any person that doesn’t wear a prescription to correct their far-sightedness, near-sightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia when using a computer, will be less efficient and comfortable.
Depending on your condition, your eyes could be exerting extra effort or be forced to work harder to maintain a clear image when viewing the screen. Some people with perfect vision may experience symptoms such as blurred vision, eyestrain and headaches with prolonged computer use due to underlying binocular issues. To provide you relief from computer eye strain, your optometrist may recommend using eyeglasses, eyedrops, and/or vision therapy.
How Do Computers Affect Vision?
CVS is not something that just happens all of a sudden. It arises from inaccurate repetitive eye movements and focusing on close objects such as a computer. It occurs when the eyes aren’t functioning optimally on the computer and are consistently performing the same way with time. The longer a person’s eyes operate improperly, the worse the symptoms can get. When you work at a computer, your eyes have to focus and refocus all the time. The eyes move back and forth as you read. You may have to look down at papers and then back up to type. Your eyes react to images constantly by moving and changing, shifting focus, sending rapidly varying images to the brain.
All these jobs require a lot of effort from your eye muscles. To make things worse, unlike a book or piece of paper, the screen adds contrast, flicker, and glare. It is also proven that we blink far less frequently when using a computer, which causes the eyes to dry out and blur vision intermittently while working.
For computer eye strain relief, speak to your optometrist today. Click here to book an appointment!
