Computer Vision Syndrome – What It Is and How to Combat It

Do you work in front of a computer screen for long hours every day? If yes, headaches, blurred vision, dryness of the eyes, and eye strain may be familiar to you. Usually, these symptoms come next to pain and tension felt in your neck and shoulder muscles. All of them are part of the computer vision syndrome (CVS).

CVS can be defined as the multitude of symptoms caused by the fact that you spend many hours in front of a computer. Despite the name, CVS can also be caused by using other devices that have a digital screen for several hours, for example, a smartphone or an e-book reader. They all have the same effect on your eyes and your health condition.

But what differs in reading a book that is printed and an e-book? A major difference is the fact that letters from printed books are better defined than those from a digital screen. Furthermore, the screen of the gadgets reflects the light, making reading a much more difficult task for the eyes. Due to these reasons, your eyes are not so tired after 2 hours of reading a printed material than after the same 2 hours of reading from a digital screen.

Symptoms

One of the most common symptoms of CVS is a blurred vision. This is usually accompanied by headaches. Also, it is possible to see double. Your eyes suffer from dryness, and if you look in the mirror, they may be red. Moreover, if you have a bad posture when using a computer, this will affect you back, your shoulders and your neck, for sure. Besides the pain in these areas, you may feel a tension of the muscles.

The causes of these problems are varied. A prolonged usage of the computer or other devices with digital screens without any pause, an improper posture on the chair, using a chair that is not designed for computer use, being too close or too far from the screen, the reflection of the light on the screen, an improper light balance of the device – they all lead to the problems mentioned above.

Ways of preventing CVS and treatment

When it comes to preventing and treating CVS, it is necessary to identify its causes. This is crucial in keeping the syndrome away. The next step is trying to solve them.

For example, if you have an improper chair but you have to work long hours in front of a computer, change it with one that is specifically designed for this use. If your job implies working all the time in front of a screen, make sure that you take a little break every two hours and move your eyes away from the computer. It is also recommended to stand up and make some steps. If your job allows you, a few minutes of exercises are a great way to prevent those back and neck pains.

For your eyes’ health, it’s also important to blink frequently and to maintain a proper distance from the screen.

If these are not helping, you may consult a doctor. It is possible to receive medical treatment, such as eye drops or special lenses.