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Computer visions syndrome is a problem that people who work on computers have from working on computers all day long. It’s estimated about 88% of people who work on computers will have a problem with computer vision syndrome. It can range from anything like headaches, severe eyestrain, neck pain – quite an assortment of problems that can occur. When you are working on a computer, your eyes have a lot of different muscles that are helping them to track and keep things in focus, and they’re doing it for a really long, extended period of time.
Just think if you were going to work out for as long as you sit and work at a computer. You’d get pretty tired. So it’s important to do several activities to help this out, which would include taking frequent breaks, blinking, watching how close you are to the screen, watching for glare. There are lots of ergonomics involved here – check the height of your screen. There are drops you can use to help with dryness. But, the most important thing you can do is to have a comprehensive eye exam so the doctor can look at all of these different areas and see where you have more of a problem.
Some people may be able to do the focusing just fine, but their eye alignment becomes a problem, like they’re crossing their eyes. Some people might do fine with the focusing, but they develop headaches because they are focusing so much. There are a lot of issues that have to be addressed and your eye care provider can address those during a comprehensive eye exam.
Remember that 20/20 rule. It can be used for computers and it can also be used for reading as well – ever 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away.
If you’re concerned about your office set-up – how high is the computer screen, how far away should you be, do you need an anti-glare screen, are you having symptoms that are related to computer vision syndrome, go to a website that is part of the American Optometric Association – www.aoa.org -- and they will have lots of information for you regarding this
Healthy Eyes
Computers and Your Eyes
Dr. Linda M. Chous, O.D., Chief Eye Care Officer, UnitedHealthcare
Nearly 88% of people who work on computers all day will suffer from computer vision syndrome. Dr. Linda M. Chous explains what it is, and how to prevent it.
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