Computer vision syndrome is a combination of eye and vision-related problems that arise with the activities, stress the near vision such as prolonged digital screen usage (Computer, tablet, smartphone). This is also known as Digital eye strain.
Risk factors
High visual demand
Viewing a computer screen or a digital screen is difficult than viewing a printed page. It demands a high visual demand and makes the eye work harder.
The margins of an image on a digital screen are usually not very sharp and it reduces the resolution of the image.
So the image becomes poor in quality and increases the visual demand of the viewer.
Reduced level of contrast.
The reduced level of contrast of the letters to the background, presence of the glare, and reflections on the screen are risk factors for vision problems.
The eye focusing and the eye movement requirements for digital screen viewing also can increase the visual demand as viewing distances and angles used for digital work often different than other writing and reading tasks.
Uncorrected and under corrected vision problems.
The persons who spend two or more continuous hours at a computer or digital screen device every day.
Symptoms
Eye strain
Headaches
Blurred vision
Dry eyes
️ Neck strain
Causes for these symptoms are,
Poor lighting
Glare on a digital screen
Improper viewing distances
Poor seating posture
Uncorrected vision problems
These symptoms vary among individuals with their visual abilities and amount of time spent looking at a digital screen, uncorrected vision problems such as farsightedness, astigmatism, and aging changes of the eye.
And also many of these visual symptoms are temporary and reduced after stopping computer work. But some individuals may experience blurred distance vision even after stopping computer viewing. If nothing is done to address the cause of the blurred vision symptoms will prolonged and recur and perhaps worsen with future digital screen use.
Diagnosis
Computer vision syndrome can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. To test further about visual requirements at the digital screen may include,
Patients history considering
Environmental factors
General health problems
Visual acuity measurements
Test for find refraction errors
Testing how the eye focus
Prevention
Various steps can help to prevent the development of computer vision syndrome. They are,
Controlling lighting and glare on the digital screen
Lighting
Always position the computer screen to avoid glare, especially from overhead lighting or windows.
Use blinds or drapes on the window and replace the light bulbs in desk lamps with bulbs of lower wattage.
Anti-glare screens
Filters that decrease the amount of light reflected from the screen.
Establishing proper working distances and posture for screen viewing.
Location of the computer screen
Computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below the eye level as measured from the center of the screen and 20 to 28 inches from the eye.
Reference material
Should be located above the keyboard and below the monitor. (So, the head does not need to be repositioned from the documents to the screen)
Seating position
Chair should be comfortably padded.
Chair height should be adjusted so the feet rest flat on the floor.
Arms should be adjusted to provide support while typing.
Wrists shouldn’t rest on the keyboard when typing.
Regular eye examination
assure that minor vision problems are properly corrected.
Proper viewing habits.
Rest breaks
Resting the eyes for 15 minutes after two hours of continuous computer use.
Exercise
Eye exercises should be done regularly. (It will help to reduce eye fatigue)
Remember to blink eyes open during to reduce the risk of having a computer-related dry eye.
For every 20 minutes of computer, viewing looks into the distance for 20 seconds to allow the eyes a chance to refocus.
Thilini Isurika
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome?sso=y
Loh, K.Y. and Redd, S.C. (2008). Understanding and Preventing Computer Vision Syndrome. Malasian Family Physician, 3(3), 128-130.
