Computer Vision Syndrome

Long hours at the computer can take their toll on your eyes. About 75% of computer users suffer from computer vision syndrome. Children who use computers excessively are at risk for permanent vision damage. All of this is preventable, without having to stop using computers.
Computer vision syndrome can cause pain and discomfort that you may not immediately associate with vision.

Symptoms include:

Eye strain
Headaches
Neck and shoulder pain
Blurred vision
Fatigue

Eye strain and simply sitting in one position for too long cause the muscles in the face, neck and shoulders to tense and become stiff, causing neck and shoulder pain and headaches. Blood flow is reduced to the head and eyes causing fatigue and making difficult to see clearly and think clearly, as well.

Your eyes behave differently when looking at a computer screen than they do during other activities. They do not respond to images on the monitor in the same way as they do to the printed page. Words printed on paper have sharp and crisp contrast. The computer screen emits light and images are made of pixels, causing the eye to constantly adjust focus. The brightness of the screen causes your eye to blink five times less often than they normally do, leading to dry eyes.

Children may suffer early nearsightedness due to excessive computer use. In order for vision to develop properly children must use their far vision as well as their near vision. When kids play outside they are constantly shifting focus from near to far and back again. While looking at a computer screen the eyes only focus close up.
Fortunately there are ways to make computer use less harmful to your eyes. Proper set up and adjustment of your monitor, eye exercises, proper lighting and even corrective lenses can all help.
Your monitor should be positioned about 10 to 15 degrees below eye level, and the top of the monitor should be tilted slightly away from you.

Adjust your screen settings so that the light from your screen is about equal to the lighting in the room, not bright or dim, and turn up the contrast for a crisper image.

Every fifteen to twenty minutes, get up and walk around, and shift your vision to something far away.
Reduce lighting the room where you use your computer to about half of the normal level of lighting.
Use curtains and low wattage bulbs to reduce glare.
Most eye glasses address near and far vision. Lenses that address intermediate vision are needed to reduce strain when focusing on your monitor.

Wear glasses with a special coating that prevents glare.
If you use computers regularly you should have an eye exam at least once a year to determine if computer use is damaging your vision.

If you are experiencing vision problems or symptoms of eye strain, contact your eye doctor. The Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado specializes in eye health and vision surgery.