Computer Vision Syndrome

If you or your child spend more than two hours each day in front of a computer screen, you likely experience some degree of computer vision syndrome (CVS). Symptoms of CVS include:

• Headaches
• Loss of focus
• Burning/tired eyes
• Double/blurred vision
• Neck and shoulder pains

What Causes Computer Vision Syndrome?

• CVS is caused by our eyes and brain reacting differently to characters on the screen than they do to printed characters.
• Our eyes have little problem focusing on most printed material, which is characterized by dense black characters with well-defined edges. Healthy eyes can easily maintain focus on the printed page. Characters on a computer screen, however, don't have this contrast or well-defined edges.
• These characters (pixels) are brightest at the center and diminish in intensity toward their edges. This makes it very difficult for our eyes to maintain focus and remain fixed onto these images. Instead our eyes drift out to a point called the "resting point of accommodation" or RPA.

Can be Done?

• Have a complete eye examination and be evaluated for CVS
• Obtain a custom designed computer glasses
• Vision training if indicated
• Puntal Plugs for dry eyes
• Rest periods every hour
• Optimal visual hygiene including proper posture, working distance and angle, lighting, and a good monitor.

Contributed by : Yagya Arora
VIII B