Digital eye strain or Computer vision syndrome

Lighting: Position or hold the screen to avoid glare, especially from overhead lighting or windows. Use curtains or blinds on windows and replace the light bulbs with lower wattage bulbs.

Anti-glare screen: This screen is now easily available and it decreases the amount of light reflected from the screen.

Seating position: Prefer sitting on comfortable straight chairs. The height of the chair should be adjusted such that the feet are rested flat on the floor. The chairs should have arm support. The wrist shouldn’t rest on the keyboard when typing.

Rest Breaks: When you have to use the screen for longer periods, rest breaks are a must. Rest your eyes for 15 minutes (don’t look at any other screen in that time) after every 2 hours during the continuous use of computers. Some exercises like the blinking of eyes, rotation of eye-balls in a circular motion, and sideways can also help.

If dryness exists, with the consultation of a doctor, use eye drops. Frequent blinking of eyes is also necessary while looking at the screen. The optometrist association has suggested one rule famously known as the 20-20-20 rule. If you have worked on the screen for a longer duration, then after every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds

Distance from the screen– Please maintain a viewing distance of 20 to 40 inches ( 50 to 100 centimeters) between your eyes and computer screen, you may adjust your font size & zoom ratio’s for better viewing, but maintain the viewing distance of  20 and 40 inches from the eye to the front surface of the computer screen. Use table space to the maximum and adjust the angle to suit your vision.

Lastly, regular eye health check-up or examination from ophthalmologists, proper use of eyeglasses, nutritional food can help to reduce the development of the symptoms. Regular or Annual Health Checkup is highly recommended, to ensure your other health parameters are in order.

Periodic health check-up ensures that you or on top of the situation as far as your health is concerned and there is no surprise with your health & wellness.

What is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Prolonged use of computers can lead to eye strain and other related problems, known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a condition resulting from focusing the eyes on a computer or other display device for protracted, uninterrupted periods of time and the eye muscles being unable to recover from the strain due to a lack of adequate sleep. Some symptoms of CVS include headaches, blurred vision, neck pain, fatigue, eye strain, dry eyes, irritated eyes, double vision, vertigo/dizziness, polyuria, and difficulty in refocusing the eyes.