Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and Eye Fatigue

If you work at a computer daily, you are at risk for computer vision syndrome and eye fatigue. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Rajeev to discuss how you can prevent eye strain or damage. Call 732-493-8700 today!

According to the American Optometric Association, over 70 percent of the Americans who work daily on a computer (about 143 million) suffer the affects of computer vision syndrome or eye fatigue. Excessive or prolonged computer use can cause eye stress and effect normal vision development in children as well as adults. If you spend more than two hours per day in front of a computer screen, it is likely that you will experience some degree of computer vision syndrome.

Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome

Prolonged computer use can cause some or all of the common symptoms of computer induced eye fatigue including:

• Headache
• Loss of Focus
• Burning Eyes
• Tired Eyes
• Double Vision
• Blurred Vision
• Neck and Shoulder Pain

What Causes Computer Vision Syndrome or Eye Fatigue?

Computer eye fatigue and computer vision syndrome result from the need for our eyes and brain to adapt to processing characters on a computer screen differently than they do to characters in print. While our eyes have little problem focusing on printed material that has dense black characters with well-defined edges, they have more difficulty with characters on a computer screen that don't have the same degree of contrast and definition.

Words on a computer screen are created by combinations of tiny points of light (pixels), which are brightest at the center and diminish in intensity toward their edges. This makes it more difficult for our eyes to maintain focus on these images. Instead, our eyes want to drift to a reduced level of focusing called the "resting point of accommodation" or RPA.

Our eyes involuntarily move to the RPA and then strain to regain focus on the screen. This continuous flexing of the eyes' focusing muscles creates the fatigue and eye strain that commonly occur during and after computer use.

Treatment and Remedies for Computer Vision Syndrome and Eye Fatigue

If you think that you might be at risk for computer induced eye fatigue and computer vision syndrome, you should see an eye care professional who specializes in computer vision care.

During a computer vision exam, your eye doctor will perform tests to detect any vision problems that might contribute to CVS. Depending on the outcome of the exam, your doctor may prescribe computer eyeglasses to help you work more comfortably at your computer. An anti-reflective coating is highly recommended for computer eyeglasses. An anti-reflective coating reduces reflections on the front and back surfaces of the lenses that cause glare and interfere with your ability to focus on images on your screen.

Ergonomics for Computer Vision Syndrome

Ergonomics, or changing your computer workstation to facilitate good posture, can help minimize some physical symptoms of CVS. Nevertheless, since ergonomics alone cannot solve a visual problem, wearing prescription computer eyeglasses is also required.

If you would like to speak to a professional eye doctor to discuss the risks and treatments for computer vision syndrome, contact Dr. Harin Rajeev at West Park Eye Care.