Computer vision syndrome & digital eye strain: Symptoms & treatment
According to Optometry Australia, a 2016 Vision Council of America report found around 73% of millennials experience digital eye strain symptoms — such as dry, irritated eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue and headaches — when using a computer, smartphone and other digital devices.
Eye-strain and other symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS) don't occur only in adults. Millions of children work at a computer every day, either at home or in school. Prolonged computer use can challenge a child's eyes and create symptoms.
What are the symptoms of computer vision syndrome?
If you or your child spend more than two hours per day in front of a computer screen, it's likely you will experience some degree of computer vision syndrome. Symptoms of CVS include:
Headaches
Loss of focus
Difficulty maintaining focus
Burning eyes
Tired eyes
Blurry vision
Neck and shoulder pain
What causes computer vision syndrome?
Computer eye strain and computer vision syndrome are caused by our eyes and brain reacting differently to characters on a computer screen than they do to printed characters. Our eyes have little problem focusing on printed material that has dense black characters with well-defined edges but characters on a computer screen don't have the same degree of contrast and definition.
Words and images on a computer screen are created by combinations of tiny points of light (pixels), which are brightest at the centre and diminish in intensity toward their edges. This makes it more difficult for our eyes to maintain focus on them. Instead, our eyes want to drift to a reduced level of focusing called the "resting point of accommodation" or RPA.
Our eyes involuntarily move to the RPA and then need to regain focus on the screen. This continuous flexing of the eyes' focusing system creates the fatigue and eye-strain that commonly occur during and after computer use.
What can I do about it?
To reduce your risk of computer eye strain and computer vision syndrome, see your optometrist for regular vision check-ups.
Using proper computer eyewear can prevent eye strain.
During an eye examination, your optometrist will perform tests to detect any vision problems that might contribute to CVS. Depending on the outcome of these tests, your optometrist may prescribe computer or extended focus glasses to help you work more comfortably at your computer. Younger patients may need 'anti-fatigue' lenses that give a little extra help with their smartphone or iPad.
In addition to increasing comfort during computer use, recent studies have shown that computer glasses can increase productivity.
Will glare screens prevent digital eye strain?
Anti-glare filters fitted to your computer screen may increase comfort somewhat, but they will not solve all your computer vision problems. These filters only reduce glare from reflections on the computer screen and do not reduce the visual problems related to the constant refocusing of your eyes when you work at a computer.
In order to reduce computer-related eye strain effectively, you may need computer eye-wear to help your eyes focus on your screen more comfortably. Also, anti-reflection coating is highly recommended for computer spectacles. Anti-reflection (AR) coating reduces reflections on the front and back surfaces of spectacle lenses that cause ghosting and interfere with your ability to focus on images on your screen.
Will computer spectacles make the screen clearer?
Yes, because computer glasses eliminate the constant refocusing effort that your eyes go through when viewing the screen.
Also, clinical studies have shown that having the correct prescription in computer spectacles increases productivity and accuracy.
Do computer spectacles look like safety glasses?
No. Almost any style of frame can be used for computer glasses.
What kinds of lenses are prescribed for computer glasses?
The best type of lenses for computer glasses usually depends on your age. If you are in your 40's or older, it's likely you have some degree of presbyopia. If so, extended focus lenses will usually be your best choice because they provide better depth of focus than single vision lenses. This will let you see your computer screen clearly and also see objects that are closer and farther away than your screen.
Single vision lenses also offer a solution for computer glasses, though, if you are presbyopic, your depth of focus will be limited with these lenses . Your optometrist will help you decide whether extended focus or single vision lenses are the best solution for your work environment and your visual needs.
What about coatings for computer lenses?
Blue light filters have been found in some studies to help eyes to be more comfortable as they increase screen contrast and may help reduce eye strain.
But be aware that coatings alone don't address the underlying cause of computer eye strain, which is focusing fatigue.
Does every computer user need computer glasses?
With studies suggesting that most computer users experience some level of eye discomfort from computer work, it's reasonable to say that most people who work on a computer more than a couple hours daily could benefit from computer eye-wear.
If you experience tired eyes, overall fatigue or discomfort when working at your computer, schedule a eye test. Your optometrist can help you decide if computer spectacles are right for you.
Will my reading glasses work at the computer?
Reading glasses usually are not the best solution for computer use.
Glasses prescribed for reading typically will optimise your vision at a distance of 40 to 50 centimetres from your eyes, which is considered the standard reading distance. For the greatest comfort, your computer screen should be positioned further away — at a distance of 65 to 80 centimetres from your eyes. For the best vision at this distance, a different glass prescription is usually required.
Does computer vision syndrome affect worker productivity?
Yes, research has shown that this is true. Even in cases when a computer worker's vision correction is only slightly off, productivity and accuracy at the computer can still suffer.
As the day progresses, these losses increase. Using your eyes to view a computer for many hours a day is analogous to your arms being forced to do push-ups for hours and hours. Over time, 'accommodation' (your eyes focusing) fatigue will significantly affect productivity, accuracy and comfort. Computer glasses can reduce eye fatigue and improve productivity.
Isn't ergonomics the solution to computer eye strain?
Ergonomics is important — changing your computer workstation to facilitate good posture can certainly help minimise some physical symptoms of CVS but ergonomics alone cannot solve a visual problem. Wearing prescription computer spectacles typically is more helpful than ergonomics for reducing the risk of computer eye strain.
Will wearing computer spectacles make my eyes worse?
No. In fact, wearing specially prescribed computer glasses when working at your computer might help keep your eyes from getting worse by reducing excessive focusing demands on your eyes. This is particularly true for teenagers, whose eyes may be more susceptible to short-sightedness from focusing fatigue.
Page published on Monday, 16 March 2020
