Computer Vision Syndrome – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Do you feel strain in your eyes? It may occur due to computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital strain. It is common among people who use digital screens such as computers, smartphones, or other digital devices. It is a condition triggering eye fatigue, dryness of the eyes, and headaches due to prolonged use of digital devices. But, experiencing CVS does not mean you have to give up the use of digital technology. Taking some steps will help you overcome the problem. The way you view any digital screens can have a big impact on our eye health. Since technology has seeped into our daily lives, it is impossible to envision a day without using the digital screen for personal or professional use. Read ahead to know more about CVS and the steps you need to make in your life to manage the condition.

About Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer vision syndrome or CVS, refers to the condition triggering a specific eye condition or vision problem. When you experience the problem, it may lead to the development of signs such as:

• Eyestrain
• Headache
• Eye fatigue
• Vision problems (blurry vision or double vision)
• Neck pain
• Itchy eyes
• Redness or tears in the eyes

Causes Of Computer Vision Syndrome

As the name suggests, the condition develops due to spending more time on the computer screens. But, looking at other digital screens for a long time can also trigger the symptoms suggested. When you focus on the screens on the following devices, you can develop computer vision syndrome:

• Computers/laptops
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• E-readers

When you look at the digital screens of these devices, the yes tries harder to focus. Why is that? It is because the text you saw on the digital screen has less sharpness of words on the printed page. Also, digital screens tend to have glare. Hence, it makes it harder for your eyes to focus properly. Hence, people who spend looking at the digital screen for two hours or more in a row can develop computer vision syndrome. Other risk factors linked to a digital eye strain include:

• Poor lighting
• Looking at the digital screen every day
• Uncorrected vision issues such as astigmatism or farsightedness
• A reflection or glare on the digital screen
• Having incorrect prescription eyeglasses
• Poor posture while you sit in front of a computer or digital screen
• Have incorrect viewing distance or angle of the digital screen

The symptoms suggested can worsen when you use digital screens for hours, a single day or already suffers from any underlying eye condition.

Make An Appointment With The Doctor For Computer Vision Syndrome

In most cases, CVS can go away when you reduce screen time. Staying away from the digital screen for sufficient time can help you overcome the problem. To prevent CVS episodes in the future, you need to take steps to ensure you have a supportive work environment along with adopting healthy screen-management habits. But, if you continue to experience symptoms linked to CVS after making such changes to your screen viewing habits, make an appointment with the eye doctor. The ophthalmologist can help uncover any underlying eye condition that can trigger persistent symptoms. By making an appointment, you can get appropriate treatment to manage the condition.

For people who see certain persistent symptoms or if their current symptoms get worse, they need to see the eye doctor immediately. Here are some of the symptoms requiring immediate medical assistance:

• Eye flashes
• Sudden vision changes
• Dry eyes that fail to get better after using eye drops
• Redness or pain in the eyes that fails to go away

The symptoms mentioned above indicate the presence of other underlying vision problem or undetected health condition. Hence, you need the necessary help from the doctor to deal with it without suffering from irreversible complications. Based on the diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe the right treatment. The treatment will vary from using specialized eye drops, use of glasses for computer use to more advanced treatment such as vision therapy or others.

Diagnosing Computer Vision Syndrome

Digital eyestrain or CVS is diagnosed conclusively by an ophthalmologist. So, when you see the symptoms worsening or not easing after taking adequate steps to reduce eye strain, make an appointment with the ophthalmologist. The doctor will conduct the following diagnostic tests to determine the severity of the problem.

Medical History

During the appointment with your ophthalmologist, your doctor will discuss the symptoms you have experienced. You must talk to your doctor regarding the general health problem, the medications you take, and other environmental factors that may contribute to your eye distress.

Visual Acuity

Visual acuity means the visual ability of a person to discern the details and shapes of the things they see. It is one of the significant factors in your overall vision. It is the test conducted by the ophthalmologist or optometrist to assess the severity of the vision problem. During the test, you undergo an eye examination to determine how clearly you can see the details of a symbol or letter from a particular distance. After the test, your ophthalmologist can determine the extent of damage to your vision

A Refraction Test

It is the test usually given to people as a part of the eye examination. This test can help your ophthalmologist determine the power of the lens needed to manage any refractive errors such as astigmatism, farsightedness, or nearsightedness. By undergoing the test, your doctor can suggest the exact prescription needed for your glasses or contact lens. In normal cases, a refraction test with a value of 20/20 means you have good vision.

During the testing, the ophthalmologist or optometrist assesses the focus of the eyes, their movement, and their combined work. For obtaining a clear image of something you view, your eyes must have the power to change focus, move well, and work together. This test also looks for any problem keeping the eyes from proper focusing. It can also uncover any problem preventing the use of both eyes simultaneously. The ophthalmologist can suggest the test without the use of eye drops to detect the response of the eyes under normal viewing conditions. In some patients, due to the hiding of focusing power, the ophthalmologist may use eye drops. The use of eye drops keeps the eyes from changing the focus when the optometrist or ophthalmologist tests the eyes.

The eye doctor may use the information obtained from the tests suggested determining the presence of CVS. Based on the severity of the condition, the doctor can suggest treatment options.

Treatment For Computer Vision Syndrome

In usual cases, the symptoms linked to computer vision syndrome will go away once you take a sufficient break from screen use. You can also try the steps to manage CVS at home suggested ahead to manage the problem. However, people who already suffer from eye or vision problems need medical assistance to manage and prevent future episodes of CVS.

Use Protective Eyewear

People who work continuously on computer screens must use customized glasses. Such glasses have a special coating that can protect their eyes. It is also a perfect choice when you already wear progressive or bifocal leans. It is because these lenses are not right when you use the computer screens at the suggested distance.

Vision Therapy For Computer Vision Syndrome

Vision therapy is a type of therapy suggested to improve the vision of a person. The doctor suggests certain eye exercises to improve the movement of the eyes and their focus. It is usually suggested for people who experience CVS frequently. It is also ideal for people suffering from other vision problems who find no difference wearing corrective glasses or contact lens.

Laser Eye Surgery

It is suggested by the ophthalmologist when you suffer from any underlying vision problem. CVS can worsen the underlying eye condition. So, laser surgery can help reshape the eye’s surface. Hence, it helps the affected person focus more effectively.

Steps To Ease Computer Vision Syndrome At Home

Some lifestyle changes can reduce the severity of symptoms triggered due to computer vision syndrome. These steps can also prevent the condition may developing. It focuses on changing the way you use digital screens. Follow the steps suggested to offer protection to your eyes and lower the strain causing discomfort:

Adjust Your Computer Position

By making a change to the computer position, you can lower discomfort to the eyes. You need to position the screen at least twenty to twenty-eight inches from the eyes. This distance is needed as sitting close to the screen can increase the risk of eye fatigue. Also, place the screen slightly below eye level. Keeping it below four to five inches below eye level can make a difference. Tilting the top of the computer screen to ten to twenty degrees can also make a difference. When you place the screen, make sure you are not tilting your neck upward or downward to see the screen properly. Increasing the contrast and brightness along with the font size on the device can make the text and images visible and clearer. It makes it easier for your eyes to focus.

Blink Frequently

A small act such as blinking can prevent dryness of the eyes. Blinking will spread moisture and mucus across the eyes. Most people looking at the digital screens forget to blink their eyes. It can cause irritation and dryness of the eyes. According to a study conducted by the University of Iowa, people tend to blink 66% less when they focus on their computer screens. Make a conscious effort to blink when you use the computer or other digital devices. Taking regular breaks from the screen will give enough rest to your eyes.

Reduce Screen Glare To Manage Computer Vision Syndrome

Screen glare refers to the light reflected off the screen of your computer, smartphone, or television screen. In usual cases, the light comes from the nearby windows or overhead lighting fixtures. You must try to reduce or eliminate the glare. Here are some of the steps suggested here:

• Use light bulbs of low wattage
• Close the curtains, shades, or blinds on the windows in the room you use a digital screen to reduce or lower screen glare
• Dim any overhead lights
• Add a screen glare filter to the digital screens of computer or laptop

Use The Right Eyeglasses

Do you wear glasses to see properly? Then, make sure your prescription is correct. Get your eyes checked to see if you need a change of prescription for your eyeglasses. Wearing the wrong prescription can affect the focusing ability of your eyes. It increases eye strain and leads to headaches. If you have glasses for viewing at a distance, look at objects at a distance or both, then you need a new prescription for viewing the digital screens.

Adjust Your Posture

Poor posture is linked to several issues in the body such as back pain or increased eye strain. An ergonomically designed workspace can promote good posture when you sit in front of the computer to work. For maintaining food posture while sitting in front of the computer, you need to follow the tips suggested below:

• You need to sit straight where your ears align over the shoulders. While working avoid your neck and head leaning forward.
• Keep your shoulder relaxed while avoiding slouching or hunching forward.
• While positioning the computer screen, make sure it stays just below your eye level. Ensure you never have to tilt your head up or down to see the screen properly. Also, avoid leaning forward or down while looking at the screen.
• You need to use a chair according to your height. While sitting in front of your laptop or computer, your feet must stay flat on the floor. The knees can stay level or slightly higher than the hip position.
• While choosing a chair, opt for one with good back support. You must first try the chair to see how it feels when you sit back. The back of the chair must offer support to your spine.

Take Regular Breaks

This is the method suggested for both healing and preventing computer vision syndrome. Your constant use of digital screens is one of the main reasons for suffering from CVS. Therefore, you need to minimize the risk by taking routine breaks. Here are some of the methods you can try:

20-20 Rule To Manage Computer Vision Syndrome

It is one of the most effective methods to manage and prevent CVS. By following this method, you allow the eyes to refocus and rest. To avoid strain in the eyes, you have to look at something 20 feet away for at least minutes after working for twenty minutes.

Rest Your Eyes For 15 Minutes

Once you use the digital screens for two hours without a break, you need to rest your eyes for at least fifteen minutes. Stand up and move away from the computer. You must focus on closer objects that feel further away compared to your digital screen

Perform Non-Screen Tasks

To take a break, you need to complete non-screen tasks. During the break, you must avoid looking at any other digital screen. Focus on completing non-screen tasks such as taking a walk or organizing your paperwork.

Use Eye Drops

One of the steps to manage CVS at home is to lubricate the eyes. When your eyes feel moisturized, it can eliminate the stress caused to them. For some people, using eye drops may ease the condition. You have lubricating eye drops specially designed for the purpose. It keeps the eyes moisturized. It is easy to get the eye drops suiting your purpose as medical stored carry the OTC (over-the-counter) products. It eases the dry eye symptoms. But, if you feel dryness in your eyes even after using the OTC eye drops, then you need to see an ophthalmologist for prescription eye drops.

Preventing Computer Vision Syndrome

Instead of looking for treatment options after developing CVS, it is better to take steps to prevent the condition. Avoid long sessions of uninterrupted digital screen usage is one of the best ways to prevent the problem. But, it is not possible in the digital age as many people use computers to complete their personal and professional commitments. With most people depending on the internet and other technologies to connect with others, gather information, and complete tasks, you have to find other ways to prevent computer vision syndrome. Some of the effective tips to prevent the condition without cutting the technology includes:

Upgrade The Display Of Your Computer

If you are using computer monitors using CRT technology, try to replace them with an LCD to safeguard your vision. While many of us think CRT or Cathode Ray Technology is obsolete with only traditional monitors using it, it is a misconception. Many people use it due to its better viewing angle. Since the display with CRT creates a display by firing electrons to the front of the screen from the phosphorous tube’s back, it can cause flickering of images. This flicker can cause strain to your eyes. Hence, replace it with the LCD screen as they have no such issues.

Maintain Caution While Using Screens

As mentioned above, you need to buy an LCD monitor for your computer. While buying it, try to purchase a display with a diagonal screen size of at least nineteen (19) inches. You can also opt for an antiglare screen. It is also possible to protect your vision by changing the screen angle to avoid the glare produced by the lighting.

Blink More

Do you know that a simple action such as blinking is significant for your eye health? By blinking, you are keeping your eyes moist along with getting enough oxygen. Blinking also clears any debris from your eyes. While using a digital screen, you need to blink frequently to prevent dryness and irritation of your eyes. It is observed that people working on a computer tend to blink less frequently. It puts strain on their eyes. So, you need to make a conscious effort to blink more. During your long phases of non-blinking, your eyes become dry due to the quick evaporation of tears coating the eyes. So, after twenty minutes, blink your eyes slowly for at least ten times to keep the eyes moist.

Exercise Your Eyes

For people gazing at the computer screen all day, eye exercise can help lower the risk of computer vision syndrome. It is one of the effective exercises suggested by the doctor for reducing the strain on the eyes. While trying the exercise, for every twenty minutes you spend looking at the screen, you need to look away at anything twenty feet away for at least twenty seconds. This exercise is also known 20-20 rule and works well to manage eye health. Another exercise you can try along with the 20-20 rule to maintain eye health is the 10-15 rule.

While following this rule, you have to look at an object far away for at least ten to fifteen seconds. Then, you need to look at some object at a closer distance for at least ten to fifteen seconds. After that, you must again return the focus to any object at a distance. Do this at least ten times. Why you have to try this exercise? It will lower the risk of locking up the ability of your eyes that can develop due to looking at a digital screen for a long time.

Use Better Lighting

Eye strain is common when you look at a bright light for a long time. Excessive bright light is not good for your eyes. So, when you use a computer or other digital screens, make sure you have an abundant light source without excess brightness. Many people using a computer have found that they feel comfortable to use the device after turning off the fluorescent lights,

Take A Break To Avoid Computer Vision Syndrome

When you suffer from CVS, different areas of the body such as the shoulder, neck, and back can feel painful. Take frequent breaks during your work hours to prevent pain from developing in these areas. Take breaks throughout your work. While on the break, you need to stand up and move. Also, stretch your neck, legs, back, shoulders, and arms. Stretching will lower the tension and fatigue you develop due to sitting in front of the computer for several hours.

Adjust Your Workstation

If you are trying to prevent computer vision syndrome, then taking some simple steps can help with the quest. When you sit in the chair for work, make sure to follow the correct posture. It will lower the risk of suffering from CVS. Make sure to adjust the chair as well as the workstation to meet your correct height. While adjusting, you need to position the computer screen at twenty to twenty-eight inches away from your eye level.

Schedule Regular Eye Exams

Like you make sure your health is ok with regular checkups, you need to safeguard eye health by making an appointment with the ophthalmologist once a year. It is one of the important steps to prevent computer vision syndrome. When you undergo eye examination, make sure you inform the doctor about your computer usage for personal or professional use at home or work. If possible, try to measure the distance of your eyes from the screen. You can bring this measurement to your appointment with the ophthalmologist. During the test, the optometrist can test your vision at the specific working distance suggested. Follow the suggestion provided by the ophthalmologist after the eye examination.

Conclusion

Technology is an integral part of our life. We cannot imagine a day without using different digital technology tools. So, staring at the screen for a long time is inevitable. From computers, television screens, to smartphones, we cannot think about a day without these gadgets. But, using them for a long time can strain the eyes and affect the vision. If you suspect you have developed computer vision syndrome, you have to take steps to prevent them. But, when you see no improvement, get medical assistance. Working adults to children can suffer from CVS. Never ignore the symptoms and get the necessary help to deal with the problem without it affecting the vision.

References

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/computer-vision-syndrome

https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome?sso=y#:~:text=Computer%20vision%20syndrome%2C%20also%20referred,digital%20screens%20for%20extended%20periods.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4170366/