If you spend over two hours using a computer every day, then Computer Vision Syndrome must not be new to you. You probably didn’t know they have a collective name, but headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and neck pains are actually signs of CVS. In order to prevent its development, you can do two things: stop using the computer, or, use a pair of computer reading glasses. As the former may be impossibility, let’s just discuss the second option further.

Computer glasses are basically prescription glasses specifically designed for computer use. They enable the eyes to focus more comfortably on a computer screen.

Typically, a computer screen is an arm’s length from the user; significantly further away than the normal distance for reading. This is the primary reason why the glasses for computer use should be different from usual prescription glasses. They just don’t serve the same function.

Through the years, several studies have shown that the constant effort of focusing the eyes on the computer screen can increase vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness) and pseudo-myopia. The latter condition is when the patient seems nearsighted but actually isn’t. If you have pseudo-myopia, your eyes will initially accept lenses for nearsightedness, but once your eyes become dilated, the true prescription would be found: either you are actually farsighted or you need much less correction for nearsightedness.

When the true condition of the vision is not diagnosed and addressed properly, the person can suffer from more serious sight problem and would need to use glasses full-time. By simply using computer reading glasses, this could be prevented. Remember, even if you are already wearing contact lenses, you still have to use glasses specifically for computer use.

Now, another case– especially if you’re already in your 40’s– you may already be experiencing symptoms of another vision problem called presbyopia. This is when focusing to closer objects become challenging and you can’t comfortably read books and newspapers the way you used to. Holding the material farther away may be the only way that you can see the letters clearly.

People with presbyopia are usually prescribed with bifocals. Bifocal lenses have two parts: the upper part which enables you to have clear vision at a distance and the lower part that can be used for viewing close objects clearly.

Just like typical prescription glasses, bifocals are not recommended for working with a computer. If you insist, you would have to tilt your head back and move towards the screen just to see clearly through the lower part of the glasses. Doing this, even for a short time, can strain the muscles in your neck and shoulders. Aside from the pain in these areas, you would likely have headaches, backaches, and other CVS symptoms too. Thus, the need for computer glasses comes to view again.

Clearly, countless of computer users regardless of their age are suffering from CVS. If you want to experience relief from the condition, using computer reading glasses may be the best solution there is.