With technological advancements in the 21st century, we are surrounded by digital screens all the time, be it computers, laptops, smartphones or tablets. The unrestrained use of these devices often leads to vision related problems like Computer Vision Syndrome (also known as Digital Eye Strain).
On an average people now spend around 7 hours a day looking at digital screens at work and home. This leads to eye discomfort. If the usage of digital screens keeps increasing, it leads to increase in problems.
Some symptoms that indicate if a person is suffering from CVS are :
1. Headaches
2. Blurred vision
3. Strain on eyes
4. Pain in neck and shoulders
5.Dry eyes
This syndrome can be caused by a lot of factors like improper posture, sitting too close to the screen, glare from the screen, untreated eye problems, and poor lighting. The extent at which a person feels the symptoms also depends on a person’s visual capabilities and the amount of time they spend looking at digital screens. In case of extreme pain, you should visit your doctor immediately and get a diagnosis. The problem decreases with the decrease in time spent using the digital screens. However, often due to work demands we may not be able to lessen the use of all these devices. In such a case, we can do the following to prevent damage to our eyes :
1. Eye Care :
Wear prescribed glasses or lens. In case of extensive usage, one should ask the doctor for advice and use high power lens and glasses, meant especially for this.
2. Computer Screen Location :
The optimum position of a computer screen is 4 to 5 inches below our eye level and 28-30 inches away.
3. Positioning Reference Materials :
In case you need some documents while working, use a document holder and keep the documents above, directly at your eye level. The documents should be kept in such a manner that you do not have to move your head continuously to refer the document and then look at the screen.
4. Lighting :
Keep your screen in such a way that there is very little glare. Draw the curtains or keep drapes at the windows. Use lower wattage bulb in the desk light.
5. Anti Glare Screen :
Use screen glare filter or purchase devices which give very less glare. Use Kindle instead of your regular tablet or laptop for reading.
6. Seating Position :
Your chair is your throne. It should be comfortable and padded. It should be adjusted to such a height that your feet lay flat on the floor and you are able to see the screen comfortably. Do not keep your wrists on the keyboard while typing.
7. Rest Breaks :
Your eyes need to rest after continuously working. Take a 15-minute break after working for 2 hours. Like a camera lens, give your eyes a chance to refocus every 20 minutes for 20 seconds.
8. Blinking :
Nature has meticulously created a mechanism in our eyes to keep them moist. It is blinking. Keep blinking frequently to prevent dry eyes.
Replacing eyes is nearly impossible and very expensive. Keep your eyes intact by following these guidelines and getting regular checkups to avoid problems like CVS.