Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS): How to Stop Computer Eye Strain
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. The symptoms are:
- 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).
Computer Vision Syndrome – Prevention and Treatment
- Use Eye Drops – To combat dry eyes, such as Similasan Computer Eye Relief eye drops from Amazon.
- 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.
- Blink More Often – Remember to consciously blink every now and then to replenish the tear film and prevent dry eyes.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Do Eye Exercises – If you are already suffering from blurry vision and worry about further vision deterioration, I recommend doing an eye exercise program. This can help strengthen and relax your eye muscles, which can increase your natural flexibility and focus without glasses.
Eye exercises can help treat the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome, as well as potentially reversing the effects of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and aging vision. Over a period of time, you can improve your natural vision by following some good vision habits…