Computer Vision Syndrome can affect your beautiful Eyes

Eyes are your one of the most important organ in your body and vision is the most wonderful gift. But often you neglect the importance of your eyes and do not pay attention towards proper eye care. You forget that eye is the only media of your body which help you to visualize the world properly…though there are other organs in your body …but just give a few moment to yourself----- close your eyes or tight your eyes with a piece of cloth for sometime and try to visualize the world around you…. the beautiful sky, the blue ocean, the colorful birds and flowers, the green woods etc. You will realize that something is missing somewhere…. feel suffocation… … your brain stops functioning for few minutes …and starts assuming that you are helpless…. But can you say why this happens? It’s because your visions are closed…. God has gifted us with beautiful eyes to visualize the world minutely!

Today, there’s hardly time for anyone to sit and give proper care to the eyes. So, doctor advises that regular working hours should be infused with short breaks and during such breaks, a small and easy exercise should be followed: "First, blink your eyes several times. While you keep your eyes closed, roll your eyeballs both clockwise and anticlockwise and take a deep breath. Gradually open your eyes while releasing your breath. This exercise lasts for a minute and you can repeat it three times before getting back to work." It serves as a good workout for the eyes. Now-a days there is a common eye problem with every one i.e. Computer Vision Syndrom (CVS).

What is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Computer Vision Syndrome is a term that describes vision-related problems and other symptoms caused by prolonged use of computer. As our dependency on computers is becoming strong day-by-day as a result a certain class of people are seeking medical attention for eye strain and irritation, neck and shoulder soreness etc.

Whom does Computer Vision Syndrome affect?

There is no age limit for this; any one who spends more than two hours per day in front of the computer screens is likely to experience some degrees of CVS. Young generation playing computer games over long period and people over 40 years working on the computers are more susceptible than others. But people with dry eye disease, focusing disorders, binocular vision problems etc. are likely to suffer from worst symptoms as compared to others.

What are the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome?

Well, symptoms of CVS may vary from person to person depending on various factors like age, spending hours on computer usage etc. But, some common symptoms are:-

• Difficulty in reading, writing

• Blurred vision

• Itching , burning of eyes

• Double vision

• Eye fatigue / eye ache

• Discomfort to light

• Redness, watering of eyes

• Neck / shoulder pain

• Headache

What are the causes of Computer Vision Syndrome?

Few of the important causes of CVS include:-

1. Long hours of computer use.

2. Inadvertent less blinking.

3. Minor inadequacies of eye co-ordination and focusing that are not apparent with general activities but become an issue with computer use

4. Bifocal glasses.

How is reading on monitor screen different from reading a printed page ?

Reading on computer monitor screen is hard on eyes because of the way the characters are formed on the monitor. The display on the monitor screen is made up of pixels, or tiny dots, rather than solid lines as on a printed page. As, our eyes cannot “lock” focus on these dots, the eyes must continually focus and refocus to keep the image sharp. This focusing and refocusing results in stress to our eye muscles.

How is Computer Vision Syndrome evaluated?

A complete evaluation of Computer Vision Syndrome is based on various tests that needed to be performed. Some of the important groups of tests are :-

• Eye power check-up

• Accommodation facility tests

• Tests for muscles balance

• Tears function tests

• Tests for binocular vision

• Ergonomic evaluation

How Computer Vision Syndrome can be treated?

Computer Vision Syndrome treatment would vary from person to person depending upon the causative factors and extent of damage occurred. However, some of the important modalities are as follows:-

• Exercises with Accommodative

• Artificial tears medications

• Flippers

• Ergonomic adjustments

Can Computer Vision Syndrome be prevented?

Yes, Computer Vision Syndrome can be prevented--- there is a saying that prevented is always better than cure.So, given below are a few important useful tips on computer usage:-

1. The computer workstation should be ergonomically correct.

2. After every 20 minutes or so, a short break of about 15 seconds away from the screen should be followed.

3. A frequent blinking of the eyelids during computer usage should be practiced----say every time you press ‘Enter’ or click your mouse as for example.

4. Proper and appropriate use of glasses or contact lenses should be maintained.

5. Water Splashing is also good for your eyes!Splash water on you face during the breaks, which can keep you, refreshed. This also helps in cooling your eyes.

6. While working for prolong hours at computer, try to look at distant objects either in your office or outside. Looking at a distant object and then returning back to your task helps your eyesto focus better.

7. Do not forget to fix an anti glare screen on your monitor or use anti glare glass while working on computers. Also position your monitor and lights in such a manner that glare from the screen are minimum

8. People over 40 years age should use special ‘computer’ glasses and not bifocals during their works on computer monitor.

9. You can also rub your palms against each other till them become warm.Now, cover your eyes with your warm palms for about a minute. Palming is another great way to relax and soothe your eyes.

10. Try to have a few minutes of walk during your breaks that will help to refresh your body and mind. It is also good for your eyes as walking increases blood supply to your eyes.

Never ever rub your eyes. If dirt enters in your eyes, do not rub as this may cause the dirt to stick inside. Try to blink several times to start your tears flowing; this will help to flush out the dirt. If you start rubbing your eyes, the dirt particle will keep disturbing your vision and irritate your eyes. In such cases, seek your ophthalmologist's help as soon as possible.

But above all—

Eat healthy

In your diet incorporate vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis. Eat citrus fruits, tomatoes, spinach, green leafy vegetables, poultry and dairy products. If possible, munch in-between your meals chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and at home or at your work place. Last but not least don’t forget to drink plenty of water.