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| What is
computer vision syndrome? |
| As your dependence on computers continue to grow, an
increasing number of people are seeking medical attention for eye
strain and irritation, along with soreness of back, neck, shoulder
and wrist. Computer vision syndrome is defined as a “Complex
of eye and vision problems related to your work, which are experienced
during or related to computer use. We all know that it is good to
take breaks during prolonged periods of monitor use. But what’s
really happening when we exert our eyes? Staring at your monitor can
lead to a variety of ailments, including headaches, eye strain, blurred
vision, dry and irritated eyes, slow re - focusing, sensitivity to
light, double vision and colour distortion - all common symptoms of
computer vision syndrome. |
| These problems are more noticeable with computer tasks
than other near work because letters on the screen are formed by tiny
dots called pixels, rather than a solid image. This causes the eye
to work a bit harder to keep the images in focus (picture). |
| There is no scientific evidence
that computer screens are harmful to the eyes. |
| A common myth is that eye strain caused by reading
and close work is damaging to the eyes. This is not true, however,
those who work at computers often experience many frustrating symptoms. |
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Take this simple test. |
| 1) |
Do you tilt your head back to see the screen more clearly? |
| 2) |
Do you lift your regular glasses for clearer viewing? |
| 3) |
Do you lean forward to bring the screen into focus? |
| 4) |
After working at your computer for a period of time do you experience
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• Fatigue |
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• Headache |
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• Blurred Vision |
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• Neck strain |
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• Back pain |
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• Burning, itching or tearing
of eyes |
| If you answered YES to any of these
questions, your computer terminal may be a source of eye strain and
discomfort. You don’t have to be uncomfortable. Fortunately
there is a solution. It begins with a computer vision analysis to
determine if special glasses are needed. Eye glasses can be prescribed
that have custom tints, ultra violet protection, and mid range vision
capabilities that will greatly improve visual comfort at the computer. |
| Causes of
Computer Vision Syndrome |
Visual Problems |
| People who are already nearsighted, farsighted, or
have astigmatism are more likely to develop computer vision syndrome.
Multi - focal lenses, such as bi - focal, make it even more difficult
because the screen is higher and further away than the visual field
meant for these lenses. If you have multi - focal lenses, you may
want to get a separate pair of glasses designed for computer work. |
| Computer glare and reflection |
| Glare from surrounding lamps and lights can lead to
eyestrain. Removing direct light sources, moving your computer station,
or installing blinds, screens, or shades can reduce glare. In addition,
reflection also makes it difficult to focus and causes eye strain.
This can easily be eliminated by using an anti - reflection computer
screen. |
Improper workstation design |
| One of the most common problems in workstation set
- up is that the monitor of the computer is placed too high. The top
of the screen should be at eye level. This is because the ideal gaze
angle is 10 to 20 degrees below the eye. A screen that is too high
can also cause headaches and neck and upper back pain because the
head is tilted back to see. |
Dry environment and dehydration
|
| These two very common occurrences in the workplace
and home office can worsen irritated, dry eyes. The air quality is
poor in many offices. To make matters worse, computer work can be
very engrossing and you may forget to get something to drink. Or you
may not feel you have time to get up. |
| When you strain to catch hold of unfamiliar information
and have to do it on a tight deadline, the mind can become stressed
and agitated. And when there is mental agitation or stress, this is
transmitted to whole upper body - the arms, shoulders, neck and head.
|
| What are
the symptoms of CVS? |
| |
CVS can be headaches |
| Headaches are the primary reason most people seek an
eye exam. They’re also one of the most difficult problems to
diagnose and treat effectively. Vision-related headaches most often: |
| • |
Occur toward the front of the head (there
are few exceptions to this) |
| • |
Occur most often toward the middle or end of the day. |
| • |
Don’t appear upon awakening. |
| • |
Don’t produce visual ‘auras’ of flashing
lights. |
| • |
Occur in a different pattern (or not at all) on weekends
than during the week. |
| • |
Occur on one side of the head more than the other. |
CVS can be dry or irritated eyes |
| Although blinking is a reflex, we tend to blink less
often when looking at a computer than when reading or performing other
tasks. This causes our eyes to become dry and uncomfortable (and possibly
blurred). |
| What to Do :
Try to blink more often when using your computer. Artificial tears
are helpful (and even essential) in some office environments, and
are also good for contact lens wearers. (Be sure the drops are not
kind that “whiten” the eye). |
CVS can be eyestrain |
| “Eyestrain” is a vague term that the eye
doctors rarely use. It’s more than just “tired muscles”,
as our eye muscles are much stronger than they need to be. In the
computer environment, eyestrain can also be caused by different environmental
(and visual) conditions. |
| What to Do :
Eyestrain usually results from a combination of poor ergonomics, improper
work habits or an undetected visual condition. A complete eye exam,
an on-site ergonomic evaluation, and instruction on correct working
habits should all be considered if this problem exists. |
CVS can be slow refocusing |
| When you focus on “close-up” objects (such
as reading materials) for extended periods of time without taking
breaks, your eye’s muscles begin to “adapt” to that
range of vision. This stresses the muscles, which then have difficulty
relaxing. When you look away, other objects may appear as a brief
blurred image as you change from near-to-far or vice versa. Although
this is most often a temporary condition, it can be an indication
of a future vision problem and if it persists, consult your doctor. |
| What to Do :
Make sure you take adequate rest breaks. Eye doctors generally recommend
following the 20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break.
During the breaks, make sure not to do the same kind of work you were
doing before; that is, if you were copying information from a report,
don’t take a break to read a magazine! Look far away if doing
near work. Eye exercises can help to increase your ability to focus,
but consult your doctor if you’re over 40. |
CVS can be neck and/or
backaches |
| Nature has made our visual system so dominant that
we will often alter our body’s posture to accommodate any deficiency
in the way we see. If our visual system isn’t seeing properly,
we may assume awkward positions to compensate, which can lead to neck
and back pain. |
| What to Do :
Correct your posture! However, people who wear glasses often sit in
an awkward posture to see properly, so make sure that your eyesight
isn’t causing you sit poorly. (Also note that uncorrected eye
conditions can cause this same type of problem, so make sure to get
regular eye exams.) |
CVS can be double
vision |
| Because we have two eyes, they must coordinate properly
for us to see just one image instead of two. When the coordination
system breaks down - as it can when you work at close distance for
extended periods - people may experience double vision. Proper eyeglasses
or therapy exercise can solve this problem. |
| What to Do :
Double vision can be the sign of a severe problem, so you should receive
a complete eye exam. Sudden onset of double vision can also indicate
an underlying neurological problem. |
CVS can be colour
distortion |
| Modern monitors are full colour, so this condition
is rarely seen today. However, staring at the single colour of a monochrome
monitor for extended times can cause temporary colour distortions
following usage. Taking breaks will be helpful. |
| What to Do: If
at all possible, switch to a full colour monitor and use black letters
on a white background - the best combination for visual comfort. |
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