Smartphones and iPads, Laptops and Kindles, oh my! Computers have crept into nearly every corner of our everyday life, and with them our visual demands have greatly increased. At Marietta Eye Clinic, we too are feeling the effects of prolonged computer use as we transition into our new electronic health records system. As I sat in front of the computer last week for the third day straight, I started thinking about all the times my patients ask me, "Are computers bad for my eyes?" To answer that question let’s look a little more in depth at the subject.

What is Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)?

Computer Vision Syndrome is a group of symptoms associated with prolonged computer use. According to the American Optometric Association, the most common symptoms associated with CVS are eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and shoulder pain. These symptoms may be caused by poor lighting, glare, improper viewing distances, poor seating posture, uncorrected vision problems, or a combination of these factors.

Who is affected by CVS?

According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Computer Vision Syndrome affects nearly 90% of people who spend three hours per day or more at the computer. With 80% of the US population using computers every day, that’s potentially a lot of folks!

I think I may have Computer Vision Syndrome…. What should I do?

First, get a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor will carefully check your vision to see if any adjustments are needed to your prescription. If even you don’t need glasses all the time, you may have a mild prescription that is contributing to your trouble focusing. Your doctor will also test your eye movements and muscles to see how well your eyes work together. Some valuable information to bring to your appointment is the measurement from your eyes to your computer screen, called your working distance. Your working distance has an impact on what computer prescription you may need.

Second, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every twenty minutes, relax your eyes by looking out 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. This exercise gives your focusing system a break, thereby reducing fatigue. Also, remember to blink your eyes often. When we focus intently, we naturally decrease our blinking rate, which exacerbates dry eye symptoms and discomfort. I also recommend keeping artificial tear eye drops in your desk drawer so they are readily available.

Are there any modifications I can make to my home or office environment to ease the strain of computer use?

Absolutely! Check the location of your computer screen. Ideally, you should have your monitor a few inches below eye level. Next check the lighting in the room. You can use blinds or drapes to decrease the amount of light reflected from the computer monitor. Switching to lower wattage light bulbs in overhead and desk lamps may also help. Glare comes from reflections, so choose matte finish walls in a darker paint color in lieu of bright white walls in your office. If you can’t get away from windows and light, you can use an anti-glare filter on your computer screen. It is essential to have anti-reflective coatings on the lenses in your glasses. AR coatings reduce reflections off the front and back surfaces of your lenses, reducing glare and improving comfort. 

Back to the original question, are computers bad for my eyes?

While fatigue and eyestrain from computer use is temporary, and computer use does not cause permanent eye damage, CVS is still a very real problem. In addition to discomfort and pain, CVS symptoms decrease your productivity. If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome, make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam to make sure your eyes are healthy and that you are using the optimal computer prescription.

 Where can I get more information about CVS?

You can find more information on the computer, of course. The American Optometric Association’s website has a page dedicated to Computer Vision Syndrome.  http://www.aoa.org

Dr. Brandy Carroll Augustine practices at our Windy Hill, Main, Acworth, Powder Springs, East Cobb, and Cherokee locations.