Nowadays, one of the modern eye problems is the Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS. This could only last temporarily but if the eye strain and CVS eye dryness persist, this would potentially lead to other serious eye problems – this often includes visual acuity changes. If you are apprehensive about CVS, one of the most popular solutions to reduce eye strain is by using special computer glasses. This type of eyeglasses would require an anti-glare coating, blue light shielding and additional tinting. And if you are already wearing prescription lenses, this prescription can be integrated into your computer glasses.
It has always been an advice by eye experts to never self-diagnose your CVS and just get any type of glasses over the counter that you are comfortable with. This may add more stress to your eyes and can eventually increase your eye strain. Instead of doing this, it is best that you would consider consulting with eye specialists.
Signs and symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer Vision Syndrome, also known as the digital eye strain, is a term used to describe a collection of vision-related issues that is caused by continuous use of computer screens and some other modern gadgets like tablets and smartphones. If you are going to look at a digital screen for a prolonged period of time and without a sufficient break or rest, it can cause headaches, eye discomfort and even long-term eye problems.
You need to diligently follow the 20-20-20 rule in order for you to minimize eye strain. You may take a break every twenty (20) minutes for about 20 seconds and look at something calming and that has a distance of about twenty (20) feet from you.
When we are using a computer or mobile screens, it tends to be so close to our face, and that is one reason why you must look at something that is far away from you – it should not involve looking at bright lights, and there should be no prints to read. This will help in relieving the tension in some specific muscles in the eyes.
Eyestrain, including fatigued eyes or painful eyes, dry eyes, headaches, shoulder and neck pain due to poor posture and blurry vision are among the most common signs and symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome.
Problems with uncorrected vision such as farsightedness, near-sightedness, and astigmatism can also contribute to much more serious and uncomfortable CVS. Even if you have fixed your problems with the visual acuity, you can still acquire CVS if you are not taking good care in monitoring how long you have been on a screen or how uncomfortable you are after a long working day in front of a computer.
Causes of Computer Vision Syndrome
People who uses computer even in dark places and looking for a long time on a bright computer screen can cause straining of the eye. In addition, if the position of your computer screen is too high or is too low, or the tablet or smartphones is at an awkward angle or position can also contribute in developing eye strain. You can also even strain your eyes with glares and reflections.
Contrary to popular belief, the blue light or the radiation from computer screens is not the cause of having Computer Vision Syndrome; it is actually by squinting and moving your eyes in an unnatural sequence or overtaxing the muscles of your eyes. Not blinking enough can also possibly add in straining your eye. Vascular and surface abnormalities are caused by having dry eyes that are not treated.
According to experts our eyes tend to drift towards the resting point of accommodation (RPA) when we are working or looking on the computer and then strain it by refocusing on what we were doing. Because this motion causes your eyes to flex and shift constantly, the muscles that are responsible for moving the eyeballs easily gets tired.
Studies about CVS found out that if we are constantly refocusing on the RPA, it will lead to spasms in the muscles around the eyes, resulting in muscle exhaustion and lock-up. The eyes would then not be able to easily relax, and this augmented tension can contribute to minor changes in the shape of the cornea and to our eye.
Computer Vision Syndrome Glasses
Using computer glasses while working on a computer can help you relieve the strain of your eyes. Because it has an anti-glare filter, it would minimize the frequent refocusing pattern of your eyes as you work.
Make sure to consult with your optometrist to get a prescription CVS glasses to correct refractive error and minimize your eye strain. It is also advisable to have it tinted to reduce the glare from bright overhead lights in your office or at home.
Alternatively, computer glasses are not specifically designed to correct visual acuity because it usually has about sixty percent (60%) of over-the-counter reading glasses’ magnifying power. And if you want to have a customized computer glasses, you may refer to your optometrist or ophthalmologist. One of the things that the experts can do is to make sure that the optical center of each lens is directly in front of your pupil which is very important.
According to a study conducted by the University of Alabama, Birmingham School of Optometry – where some of the world finest optometrists came from – stated that even the people who do not currently have computer vision syndrome or symptoms may benefit from computer glasses. Study shows that if a person has a long working time using the computer, with only few or not having enough time to take a rest, may develop productivity problems or issues even when they did not report having headaches, fatigue, sore eyes, and even trouble focusing.
We have to put in mind that it is vital to obtain a computer vision syndrome or symptom glasses prescription and to avoid anti-glare or any computer glasses that is not prescribed by eye experts. To ensure that your visual problems, headaches, and eye strain are properly treated you must consult with an eye doctor.