Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS):
Stop Computer Eye Strain Now!

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is thought to affect 75% of all computer users. It can lead to serious and often permanent eye problems. If you work in an office or spend a lot of time using a computer at home, there's a fair chance you could be suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome right now.

These are the symptoms of CVS:

• Eye strain
• Dry or itchy eyes
• Pain looking out the corner of your eye
• Headaches, neck ache and pain behind your eyes
• Problems shifting focus from the monitor to paperwork
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Difficulty focusing on the screen
• Gradual vision deterioration over time

What Causes Computer Vision Syndrome?

CVS is caused by staring at the computer screen for long, uninterrupted periods of time. When this happens your blink-rate drops dramatically - from 16-20 blinks per minute to 6-8 blinks per minute. This leads to eye irritation.

What's more, focusing on the computer screen at close range increases near-point stress, putting many hours of eye strain on the ciliary muscles. This will lead to tiredness and prevent you from focusing properly. Not only will this accelerate nearsightedness (myopia), it can also be the setting for aging vision (presbyopia).

Treatment for Computer Vision Syndrome

There are a number of over-the-counter eye drops you can buy to treat the symptom of dry eyes. But the symptoms of CVS run much deeper than that.

As a preventative measure you can do the following:

1. Follow The 10-10-10 Rule - when using a computer, look at an object 10 feet away, for 10 seconds, every 10 minutes. This relieves stress on the ciliary muscles and prevents the progression of myopia.
   
   
2. Blink More Often - remember to consciously blink every now and then to replenish the tear film and prevent dry eyes.
   
   
3. Use Proper Lighting - eye strain is often caused by extreme light contrast, such as excessively bright light from a window or the glare of a computer screen. Close drapes or blinds and reduce ambient lighting to lower levels.
   
   
4. Upgrade Your Computer Monitor - modern LCD monitors are less likely to cause Computer Vision Syndrome than the old bulky CRT monitors. They have anti-reflective surfaces and a higher refresh rate so you don't have any flicker. Choose a screen size of at least 19 inches.
   
   
5. Relax with an Eye Mask - give your eyes a rest after a long day at the computer screen. Wear a therapeutic eye mask that can be cooled or heated for fast and effective relief of eye strain, headaches and muscle tension.
   
   
6. Do Eye Exercises - if you are already suffering from blurry vision and worry about further vision deterioration, I recommend daily eye exercises for a set number of weeks. This can both strengthen and relax the eye muscles, which increases your natural flexibility and focus.

For a comprehensive eye exercise program, check out Rebuild Your Vision. I used this course myself over several weeks during 2008 to dramatically reduce my nearsightedness and astigmatism of 15 years.

Not only can eye exercises treat the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome - they can also reverse the effects of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and aging vision. Over a period of time, you can improve your natural vision simply by following some good vision habits. Check out my full review of Rebuild Your Vision and find out what makes this course so unique among all the eye exercise programs out there.