Are You Aware Of Computer Vision Syndrome?

By Ayeesha Jabeen

Anyone who uses computer for two hours or more per day is at a risk of developing computer vision syndrome.

Computer vision syndrome or visual display terminal syndrome is a major health issue. It affects people who use computer, watch television and videos regularly for long hours and children who play a lot of video games. Studies reveal about 80 percent of these users show visual display syndrome and suffer from eye strain. In today’s technical era majority of the people and children spend quite a lot of time on computers whether it is for work or entertainment and mostly under artificial light. The stress from computer monitors essentially comes from relatively poor contrast and reduced endurance.

This means we are constantly exposing ourselves to very low and extremely low frequency electromagnetic field radiation which is hazardous to our health which also leads to numerous physical ailments like headache, blurred vision, light sensitivity, dry eyes, muscular-skeletal problems such as neck and shoulder tension. Anyone who uses computer for two hours or more per day is at a risk of developing computer vision syndrome.

The American Optometric Association defines CVS as a complex of eye and vision problems related to near-work experienced during or related to computer usage. Computers have become a way of life with world today. Studies show nearly 62 million people worldwide suffer from eye or vision problems due to computers. It also shows an increase in computer induced vision problems, with one million new cases every year. The good news is that eye and vision problems of CVS can be usually alleviated through good eye care and/or by changes in the work environment. These problems can be combated through few simple guidelines as mentioned further below.

Studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between the vision of computer workers and their productivity in the workplace. Previous studies have found a direct correlation between proper vision correction and the time required for a computer worker to complete a task. That productivity is reduced; even among computer users who were unaware they had vision problems. Your workstation set up is Important, poor ergonomics setup can cause head, neck, shoulder and back pain.

If you are an employer, you might be interested to know that studies suggest company profits can be increased by providing vision care benefits and computer glasses to help boost worker productivity, increase accuracy and reduce worker disability claims. According to studies, the economic benefit to employers of providing computer eyewear to their employees can be determined by measuring the average gain in productivity for computer workers over a one-year period, and dividing this productivity gain by the costs associated with the eyewear. Employees performing tasks with particularly demanding visual requirements, such as accounting, CAD (computer-assisted design) work, document editing, and electronic design could benefit even more from computer eyewear than the average computer worker. A computer vision benefits program could reduce the incidence of workers' compensation claims among computer workers.

Many companies provide vision care insurance. If yours doesn’t and you spend most of your day in front of a computer, talk to your human resources department. Some companies pay for special glasses for those employees who spend most of their day in front of a computer. If they don’t, you may champion the cause and initiate a change in policy.

Let us see the right way of using computers so that working with them becomes an effortless and satisfactory experience, as a result of which CVS can be avoided.

Eye to screen distance should be kept at least 25 inches or preferably more. Keep the monitor slightly farther from the eyes than the bottom of the monitor.

Screen colors: use dark letters on a light background.

Clean your screen the easiest tip of all is to clean your screen frequently. Dust, fingerprints, and other smears are distracting and make reading more difficult. Often, you don’t even see the dust; you just look right past it. Make it a habit to wipe off your screen frequently.

Vertical location: Ensure the viewing area of the monitor is between 15 degree and 50 degree below horizontal eye level. Your monitor is placed directly in front of you, not off to the side.

Lighting: Have ceiling suspended indirect lighting. Use blinds and shades and curtains to control outside light and avoid reflection.

Humidity and airflow: avoid direct draft of air on your eyes. Avoid low humidity fumes as it aggravates dry eye condition.

Exercise: blink your eyes a few times to keep them lubricated. Close eyelids and roll your eyes behind your closed eyelids once clockwise and once anticlockwise. Take a deep breath and open eye while releasing breath.

Take a short visual break every 20 minutes to avoid strain. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that computer workers take, at a minimum, four 5-minute breaks in addition to the customary two 15-minute breaks during the day. If you don’t take those two 15-minute breaks, take a five-minute break for every hour you sit at the computer. The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends a 15-minute break for every two hours of computer use.

Doctor’s advice: Follow your doctor’s advice and use lubricating eye drops as advised. Use proper eyewear with full correction if you have a prescription, preferably one with anti-reflection coating to prevent glare.

Practice good posture in order to eliminate neck and shoulder strain. For neck posture always use a chair with arms. When seated, your arms should be parallel to the floor and your feet should be flat on the floor. Note that flexion (head-tilt pose) causes less fatigue than head-erect posture. Practice simple circular motion exercise with your neck, shoulders arms and wrists to relax your muscles during your work on computer.