Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) or Digital Eye Strain is a real syndrome that occurs due to extended digital screen use.
Computer use in modern times is prevalent in all aspects of life. Having to stare at your computer screen for several hours a day has become part and parcel of daily work-life for many of us. This however, can effect a great deal of strain on your eyes, neck and shoulder.
Vision problems due to excessive computer use are categorised as computer vision syndrome (CVS). This does not refer to one specific condition, but instead a plethora of conditions that cause eye strain and discomfort. Studies have shown that approximately 50% to 90% of persons who use a computer screen for work exhibit some form of CVS symptoms.
This condition is not exclusive only to working adults. Children are also at risk as with increasing use of tablets or computers in their daily lives for education or entertainment become more commonplace. This is especially so if posture and lighting conditions are less than optimal.
Computer Vision Syndrome can be likened to carpal tunnel syndrome for the eyes. Repetitive motions can cause injury over extended periods of time. This happens because your eyes are forced to continuously perform the same set of actions over and over. The longer a person persists with the same set of actions, the more likely for the injury due to repetitive motion is to worsen.
When using a computer, your eyes have to repeatedly focus on different parts of the screen. Back and forth movements are repeated as you read or study different portions of the screen, or interact with the notes and tools placed nearby your workstation. To properly focus and send the appropriate signals to your brain requires substantial effort from the eye muscles that control the eye. To make things worse, we tend to blink less frequently when our attention is directed on the computer screen. This leads to the eyes drying out, causing blurry vision.
Regular and extended use of computer screens are known to cause strain due to massive amounts of repetitive motion and bad habits such as decreased blinking leading to reduced eye lubrication. Symptoms you may notice:
These are signs of fatigue and onset of computer vision syndrome. If you continue to persist at the current activity, work performance is likely to be affected.
Apart from the effects on our eyes, bad posture habits while using the computer can also lead to neck and shoulder pain.
Computer vision syndrome is usually a result of a combination of factors including poor lighting, glare of the digital screen, poor posture and improper viewing distance. In addition, when we concentrate on the digital screen, we tend to blink less often and this exacerbates eye dryness which further leads to digital eye strain and eye pain.
It is difficult to avoid digital screen time in totality due to the requirements of modern day work life and entertainment habits. However, we can take measures to better care for our eyes and prevent computer vision syndrome (CVS) by:
