Computer Vision Syndrome: How to Handle Eye Strain at Work.
Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, or a serious problem for computer users that spend several hours a day in front of their monitor. It is also commonly referred to as “eye strain,” and would be described by the following symptoms: sore, tired, burning and/or itchy eyes; unusually watery or dry eyes; headache; sore neck; and increased sensitivity to light; and blurry or, in more severe cases, double vision. While you may not be able to change the profession that has you in front of a computer all day, there are several simple solutions that may deter CVS.
Studies indicate that 50% to 90% of computer workers experience CVS–with statistics like that, it seems like everyone should be going on workers comp for their eyes! Unless you are experiencing physical eye injuries from other threats than your computer (like dust, flying objects or worse), these steps should help aid your situation in a flash:
- If you haven’t done so already, turn on ClearType and increase your monitor refresh rate.
- Don’t squint! It’s better to blink frequently than squint at your computer. Computer users often do not blink as often as they do in other visual environments, causing the eyes to dry out and strain.
- Take a moment every hour or two to give yourself an eye break exercise. Hold your index finger a few inches in front of your face and let your eyes focus. Slowly move your finger away while maintaining focus, then focus on something even further away once you reach arm’s length. Another alternative is to take your breaks at work as a means to step outside and focus on something in the distant horizon, like mountains or a far away building.
- Adjust your workspace! Your monitor should be 18 to 30 inches away from your eyes (arm’s length works); your eye level should be slightly above the top of the screen. This will prevent eye injury and neck ache.
If you are short-sighted, be doubly aware of your computer usage, as it may make you more prone to glaucoma.
Along with proper ergonomics, taking regular breaks from the computer to do eye exercises can help prevent or reduce the effects of computer eye strain.
Our eyes and vision were designed for viewing distance as hunters and gatherers, and not for ongoing near work as required by regular computer use. As a result, Computer Eye Strain is becoming one of the major eye complaints heard by eye doctors today.
Symptoms can include increased myopia, blurred vision, headaches, slow refocusing, difficulty concentrating, neck, shoulder and back pain
Eye strain can be reduced significantly by taking regular breaks from the computer, resting your eyes, stretching and doing eye exercises.
For a demo of 3 great eye exercises by Dr. Grossman, one of the Country’s leading behavioral optometrists, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10j2fL0hy0
Dr. Grossman also offers his free eye exercise booklet at his website at Natural Eye Care Free Eye Exercises with his 11 favorite eye exercises and acupressure eye points to massage regularly.
Finally, there is also an excellent section at his website on “Computer Eye Strain” under “Eye Diseases” that provides a Computer Eye Strain “Self-Help“ section with great tips of relieving eyestrain due to computer use.
Also, a few research studies show that supplementing with 6mg per day of astaxanthin per day significantly improved eye strain at week 2 and 4 of the test period.
For more information, go to Natural Eye Care for Computer Eye Strain