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Home >
Eyestrain Solutions
Computer Vision Syndrome
- Eyestrain Symptoms and
Solutions
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How to
prevent eyestrain at
your computer
workstation and the
benefits of computer
filters |
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CVS refers to a variety of
vision-related symptoms that
occur when you regularly
work at a computer
workstation for two or more
hours a day. Studies show
that 50% to 90% of computer
users experience CVS
syndrome, and most are not
even aware they have the
condition. With increased
computer use by children and
teens, optometrists are
reporting increasing numbers
of youngsters exhibiting
symptoms of CVS.
Some of the symptoms
identified by optometrists
include: eyestrain, watery
eyes, dry eyes, blurred or
double vision, difficulty
focusing, a heavy feeling of
the eyelids or forehead,
after-images, temporary
nearsightedness, headaches,
neck and back aches. Any of
these can negatively impact
your mental and physical
wellbeing as well as your
productivity.
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- Glare is
a leading cause of eyestrain and other
vision difficulties. Over
illumination from lamps, overhead banks
of lights, and sunlight streaming
through windows can reflect onto a
computer screen from various angles,
"wash out" sections of your screen
image, and reduce contrast. The muscles
of your eye continually refocus to
attempt to gain clarity. Such repetitive
straining has its effects on the eye
muscles. Also, tilting the neck and head
to get a clearer screen view from a
different angle places strain on those
upper neck and head muscles.
- The
nature of computer screens themselves
present a vision challenge. Computer
images are not solid characters; they're
made up of pixels (dots), which makes
focusing on them difficult for the human
eye.
- People
who are still using CRT monitors have
another focus and strain issue, because
the screen image signals are dynamic and
the screen is constantly being "redrawn"
- Improper
work habits such as staring at your
screen for long, uninterrupted stretches
of time, sitting too close to the
screen, neglecting to step away from
your desk for breaks, not placing your
monitor in an ergonomic position are all
situations that can produce vision as
well as muscular skeletal discomfort.
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Children have what is termed a
"limited degree of self awareness."
This means they are unaware of the
length of time's passage and its
affect on their bodies, and thus
they computer task for numerous
hours without a break. This promotes
eyestrain.
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Children's high degree of
adaptability causes them to believe
that what they see is "normal."
Thus, they often continue working
even under conditions when glare is
prohibitive or when their vision has
begun to blur.
- The
viewing angle of computer
workstations and terminals are often
set for adult usage. Children
require different viewing heights
and angles for optimal comfort and
wellbeing.
The length of
time children
use the computer
should be
monitored and
breaks required.
Their desks,
keyboards, and
monitors should
be ergonomically
adjusted for the
child's height
and computer
usage. Room
lighting and
causes of glare
should be
eliminated.
Another very
important step
is to talk with
the children and
let them know
that blurry
vision and odd
sight issues are
not normal and
should be
brought to
someone's
attention.
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There are several
suggestions made by many
professionals to correct
computer work environment
situations that can lead to
the eyestrain symptoms or
other manifestations of CVS
directly related to the
computer work environment.
Test your work station and
make sure the following
recommendations are in
place:
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There are no screen
reflections from
overhead or desk task
lights.
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The work place is well
lightened in order to
read hardcopies without
straining your eyes.
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All windows are at right
angles to the screen and
not behind or in
front of the screen.
Lighting is not overly
bright.
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If you type from a hard
copy into the computer,
make sure it is
located at about the
same distance from your
eyes as the screen
itself.
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The middle of the
computer screen is about
20 degrees below your
eye level, or at a
comfortable depth that
doesn't require your
head to turn or tilt.
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Use a monitor with
brightness controls and
adjust them to a
comfortable setting.
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Optimize your screen
view with one of
our quality anti glare
computer filters.
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Pay particular attention
to symptoms or
difficulties children
may be experiencing
(including rubbing their
eyes, tearing, irritated
reddened eyes, among
other symptoms) they may
not mention.
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Check with a vision
professional if symptoms
of discomfort or
computer vision syndrome
occur.
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Take plenty of breaks so
your eyes can rest and
focus on more distant
objects than a computer
screen. (For information
on eye breaks, check
desk exercises.)
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Computer Vision Syndrome and
Computer Glasses from Macular Degeneration Support.
Eye Resources on the Internet, from the Association of Vision Science Librarians
CVS: How to Treat the Patients You May Not Know You Have, from Pacific University of Oregon's College of Optometry. |
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Glare screens and computer monitor hoods are
available for LCDs and also CRT computer
monitors. These accessories are very useful
in reducing eyestrain symptoms caused by
lighting glare. Some computer filters
contour to the shape of your monitor, and
others hook over. Some CRT models also
include anti-radiation and anti-static
properties, because these are issues with
the older CRT style monitors.
You can also purchase a magnifier computer
filter that can double the size of your
screen's characters without distortion.
While not suitable for serious eye diseases,
a computer screen magnifier offers viewing
convenience. |
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Individuals who are still using CRT
monitors rather than LCD
screens also must deal with
radiation emission. Video display
terminals (such as computer
CRTs) give off non-ionizing electromagnetic
radiation, which is composed
of electric (E-field) and
magnetic (H-field) fields.
In the electromagnetic
spectrum, the ELF
frequencies (30Hz to 300Hz)
and the VLF frequencies
(3kHZ to 30KHz) are issues. Monitors also give
off static electric fields,
which can cause the
uncomfortable office
"shocks" often experienced.
The static electric fields have
also been indicated as
the cause of skin rashes and
dermatitis in certain users.
Most of our CRT glare filter
models offer versions that
include conductive coating
and grounding cords and
provide anti-radiation and
anti-static protection.
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