As you spend more time gazing into computer screens of all sizes during your working hours, you're bound to suffer from condition known as computer vision syndrome (CVS).
Symptoms of CVS
The most common symptoms associated with CVS are: eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, stress, redness of th eye, rubbing of the eye, and insufficient focus, neck and shoulder pain. This syndrome is also experienced in people (older than 18 years), who spend at least five hours a day on their smart phone, tablets and computers.
The syndrome differs from book fatigue because of the handheld devices themselves. These devices have their own light sources. And because they do, it puts a different source of stress on the eye.
Causes of CVS
Viewing a computer screen often makes the eyes work harder. As a result, the unique characteristics and high visual demands of computer viewing make many individusls prone to the development of vision-related symptoms.
Uncorrected vision problems can increase the severity of CVS. Viewing a computer screen is different from reading a printed page. Often, the letters on the computer screen are not precise or sharply defined, the level of contrast of the letters to the back-ground is reduced, the presence of glare snd reflections on the screen may make viewing difficult.
Viewing distances and angles used for computer work are also often different from those commonly used for other reading or writing tasks. As a result, the eye focusing and eye movement requirements for computer viewing can place additional demands on the visual systems.
Even people with eye glasses or contact lens prescription may find it unsuitable for specific viewing distances of their computer screen. Some tilt their heads to odd angles because their glasses aren't designed for looking at a computer. They may be forced to bend toward the screen in order to see it clearly. Their postures can result in muscles spasms or pain in the neck, shoulder or back.
In most cases, symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome occur because demands of the task exceed the visual abilities of individual to comfortably perform them. At greatest risk for developing CVS are those persons who spend to or more continuous hours at a computer everyday.
How to Diagonize CVS
Computer Vision Syndrome can be diagonised through a comprehensive eye examination. Patient history to determine any symptoms the patient is experiencing and the presence of any general health problems, medications taken, or environmental factors that may be contributing to the symptoms related to computer use.
Treatment of CVS
Solutions to computer-related vision problems are varied. However, obtaining regular eye regular care, and making changes in how you view the computer screen alleviate CVS.
To avoid eyestrain on smart phones, tablets and computers, the 20/20/20 rule is recommended; where every 20 minutes, you look at a distance of 20 feet for 20 seconds. That gives an opportunity for the eye to rest, a break for the muscle focus and allows them to work at the tsak more efficiently and for longer period of time.
The eye-breaks allow computer users to use the devices as long as they'd like without suffering any of the effects of Computer Vision Sydrome. It's recommended that children not use electronic devices and that older kids use these gadgets for not more than two hours a day.