HEALTH ALERT

What You Should Know About Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

Many people in todays world experience a number of discomforts in relation to spending too much time in front of our visual display terminal (VDT) such as computer. These discomforts are especially common since we now carry our digital world with us, everywhere we go.

What are the symptoms of computer vision syndrome?

The effects that we may experience may include: dry eyes, burning eyes; blurred vision; delayed focusing; altered color perception; headaches; tired eyes; eyestrain; sore eyes; red eyes; contact lens discomfort; glare sensitivity; excessive tearing; neck, shoulder and back pain (intersights). Collectively, these symptoms have been termed Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) by the American Optometry Association.

Fact according to American Optometric Association (AOA) regarding CVS;

1. The prevalence of ocular symptoms for computer users in America, as part of the syndrome, ranges from 25-93%, 2. Approximately 22% of computer workers have musculoskeletal problems 3. 1 out of 6 patients requiring eye examinations have a computer-related eye problem. 4. We usually spend an average of six hours per day in front of a VDT, while according to AOA, anyone who exceeds two hours of computer use a day is at risk of CVS. Doesnt it means our eyes are in danger?! Are you aware of this? Unfortunately many of us unaware of the damage that we are doing to ourselves in front of computer.

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 print 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 the brightest at the center 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 strain to regain focus on the screen. This continuous flexing of the eyes' focusing muscles creates the fatigue and eye strain that commonly occur during and after computer use.
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Other thing that can cause CVS is Personal factor such as age, preexisting eye problems, a very fixed body posture for a long time, constant gazing at a near distance monitor, eyestrain and diminished blinking ( Normally 18 times per minute but computer users only blinked 4 times per minute).

TIPS to minimize CVS;

After we know the source, what we can do to minimize CVS? Do we need to cut the computer cable right now? Well we dont have to be that extreme, here are the tips: 1. Take a break; keep to the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes take a 20 second break and look at something those 20 feet away (6 meters) Or Every 20 minutes take a 20 second break and blink for 20 times. Or Blink every time you hit ENTER key or Mouse click 2. Avoid Air drafts & Reduce Glare Avoid sitting in front of air condition facing its air draft while using computer. Reduce glare by positioning your monitor so all windows are to the side rather than to the back or front and direct the overhead light away from computer screen. 3. Use an Anti-glare computer screen or Anti-glare spectacles to reduce glare 4. Eye Exercises Bring an object (such as a pen) close to your eyes as possible while still being able to focus on the object clearly, then focus on an object 10 feet away from you. Repeat this exercise for 3 to 5 minutes several times per day. Roll your eyes upward towards your eyebrows, and then roll your eyes in a large circle. Repeat every few hours when using your computer or watching television to combat computer vision syndrome. 5. Try Palming Palm your eyes by covering them with the palms of your hands, blocking out the light completely for 1 to 3 minutes several times a day. 6. Consult to your doctor.

Please remember that CVS is a very common problem to people that spend lot of his/her time working in front of computer, so please be aware to your eyes.

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