People with glasses more prone to Computer Vision Syndrome

The people who use glasses are more likely to develop Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) from computer use than nonglass wearers.

Symptoms of CVS, include eye strain, headache and other problems associated with prolonged computer use, according to recent study published in the American Optometric Association's AOA News.

A total of 1,011 telephone interviews were conducted in the recent study with people in the U.S. over the age of 19 who used the computer at least four hours a day."

The results of the survey, sponsored by Sola Optical of the U.S. and posted in the health website www.ohioeyedocs.com, showed that almost 71 percent of those with CVS symptoms were spectacle users. "Glass wearers reported more neck, back and eye or vision problems than nonwearers."

Of the entire surveyed group, 41 percent reported discomfort when using the computer. The amount of time spent at a computer was an important factor. 45 percent of those spending six to 10 hours a day at a computer reported CVS symptoms.

The article stated that the main reason glass wearers had increased risk of problems might be that they had the wrong eyewear for the task.

People who wear bi/trifocals or progressive addition bifocals often have to maintain an unusual posture to obtain a good focus on the monitor with their lenses. Many hours in such awkward positions can easily lead to discomfort. Sola Optical, USA, and a few other optical manufacturers have designed progressive addition lenses (no-line bifocals) with optics, which are specially designed for the special needs of computer users.

They usually allow clear vision at all distances within a small office environment. Additionally, standard, lined bifocals may have the focusing power or the line position modified to allow excellent middle range and near vision with normal posture positions These modified, lined bifocals must be used only at the computer or unusual head position for seeing at distance.

Industrial workers have long worn safety glasses on the job to prevent eye injuries. As Americans spend more hours at work and play using computers, the frequency of computer complaints will rise.

CVS will follow as computer use expands into more segments of the economy. In the future, increased numbers of individuals will find themselves wearing occupational eyewear designed to prevent CVS.

Other factors may be involved in CVS. Glare, poorly positioned equipment, lighting and extensive periods without rest breaks can induce symptoms. Personal health problems, dry eye situations, and poor functional vision skills may also contribute to problems.

Vision problem

CVS may include blurred vision, double vision, frequent headaches or neck pain, and dry or irritated eyes.

The unique demands of computer use, workplace lighting and poor adjustment or location of the computer can cause a number of symptoms, as well as aggravate eye problems, which had previously gone unnoticed, AOA says in its report.

Fortunately, it's possible to improve comfort and quality of work or play at a computer. First, avoid having light sources such as windows and lamps reflect directly off your monitor's screen. Avoid brightly colored clothing.

Position the computer with such sources to the side. An antireflection screen attached to the monitor may provide some relief. Also, to avoid indirect glare, don't have bright light sources, such as a window, in your field of view during computer use.

Some people wear visors to shield from bright, overhead lighting and, of course, it is possible to close curtains.

Secondly, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends taking 15-minute alternate task break every two hours if you are a moderate computer user, and a 15- minute alternate task break every hour if you are a full-time user.

These alternate task breaks actually result in more productivity, not less. Ideally, the breaks should not involve other sustained nearpoint tasks.

A "visual relief" area can be helpful. Falling within a computer operator's field of view, this is an unobstructed line of sight toward distance objects. It allows one to look away from the computer intermittently and refocus for distance, yielding some comfort. Next, pay attention to the computer work area layout.

Position

Proper location of chair, table and equipment leads to improved posture and comfort. Use a chair which provides ample back support. Adjust it and your monitor so the top of the monitor is below your straight ahead line of sight.

Ideally you should be looking down on the monitor at an angle of at least 10 degrees to 20 degrees. When the screen is higher, the eyes are opened more widely. Combining this with a blink rate, which naturally decreases when concentrating on task, and you have a result of dry, irritated eyes.

Many people place their copy material on a clip beside the screen or lay it beside the keyboard. The best location is between the keyboard and the monitor. The keyboard should be at a height, which allows the upper arms to hang down at one's sides while typing. It should be in line with the monitor screen. The monitor should be about 50 centimeters to 65cm away and should be kept free of fingerprints and dust.

The AOA recommends that all computer workers have a specialized, comprehensive eye examination when beginning the job and periodically thereafter. While younger persons may often benefit from standard single vision glasses, many older individuals may require bifocals.

Persons with special eye focusing and eye teaming problems may require special prescriptions. Sometimes an individual's daily living vision needs are different from their needs at a computer, then a second pair of spectacles -- specifically for the computer -- is the only option.

When going to your eye care provider, be sure to have the following measurements with you: eyes to screen, eyes to keyboard, distance and location of document holder and the distance by which the top of the screen is above or below eye level. Finally, according to a study by NIOSH, there are no radiation health hazards produced by computer monitors.

Physical and vision complaints are closely related to work space design, vision correction and lighting conditions. Do further research on computer ergonomics and seek help if you continue to have problems. Computers won't ruin your eyes, but if you have CVS, it may feel like it.