What Is Computer Vision Syndrome And How To Deal With It
Do you experience eyestrain, headaches, backaches, and blurry vision after working on your computer the whole day? Do your eyes even feel like twitching at times? If yes, then you are clearly experiencing computer vision syndrome (CVS).
Millions of people in the US alone are suffering from the symptoms of CVS. As the use of computers and other digital devices has already become a necessity, the symptoms of the condition are experienced by many—regardless of age. People may not know the medical term, but CVS is very real to them.
Development of CVS
Basically, CVS develops because the brain and the eyes are reacting differently to the characters or images on the computer screen. They differ from printed characters on paper as they are not as dense and as black.
Unlike printed letters, characters on the computer screen are formed by pixels. Pixels are tiny points of light which are brightest at the center. As the points move away from the center, the brightness becomes less, making it harder for the eyes to focus on the images. In order for the eyes to read the characters well, continuous flexing of the muscles is necessary. Obviously, this results in computer vision syndrome.
Prevention of CVS
There are some ways to prevent the development of CVS. Of course, the most sensible thing to do would be to consult a doctor who specializes in computer vision care. He or she would be able to perform necessary tests to know what you have and how to solve your problem.
It would be very likely the doctor would prescribe a pair of computer glasses to alleviate CVS symptoms. These glasses would enable you to work on the computer a lot more comfortably. Don’t worry, these glasses look exactly the same as your typical eyeglasses. They only differ in the lenses.
Aside from wearing computer glasses, there are practical things that you can do to reduce your risk of CVS. For one, you can improve the set up of your workstation. Here are some practical tips on how to do just that:
Place the monitor right in front of you, not on the side.
Set it so the center of the screen would be just a few inches below your straight gaze.
While working, you should keep your back and shoulders straight. Your arms must be parallel to the floor and your feet must be flat on it.
Aside from improving your workstation, improving your work habits can reduce CVS too. For example, instead of staring at the monitor continuously for hours, you should take a break every fifteen minutes or so. Look somewhere far and focus your eyes on an object. This will give your eyes some time to rest.
These are some of the things that can help you steer clear from computer vision syndrome. Remember that the more you protect yourself from CVS, the more productive you can be. After all, muscle fatigue, in whatever part of the body, can significantly lessen one’s competence and productivity. If you take care of your eyes, you can get more job done well.
