Computer related eyestrain is the most frequent form of visual complaint. It is so common that many people take it for granted and fail to recognize it as abnormal. It is most common for people that spend long hours at the computer and will get worse later in the day.
Computer eyestrain typically involves one or more of the following symptoms: dry eyes, burning eyes, variable blurred vision, frontal headaches, squinting and redness of the eyes.
Controlling computer eyestrain can involve changes in computer hardware, appropriate specialty eyewear, and modification of your posture, lighting and viewing habits.
Please ask us for more information if you are interested or if you think this might be a problem for you.
Computers are not natural. They are a flat screen with print that has a lower contrast that normal reading material. There is a mild flicker to many screens that is upsetting to some people. The scrolling movement of the screen will be upsetting to many people causing loss of place and mild motion sensitivity symptoms.
The screen is often at a closer or further distance that the glasses (or your eyes) were set for. Normal bifocals often require significant arching of the neck or you may find that your bifocal is not in the right location for the screen. Your properly fit progressive bifocals may not be wide enough to take in the whole screen through the intermediate area of the lens.
Posture and physical fatigue are part of the problem. Prolonged computer viewing insures that you are not moving and that your blood will pool in the lower half of your body. You will often reduce the frequency of your blink rate and your breathing will get shallow and less frequent. Your eyes dry and your body starts to ache due to lack of circulation.
Finally, we must consider the extreme time that is spent by many people in front of the computer screen. Any visual activity you do for an prolonged time can cause eye strain and your computer is no exception.
Many report reduced strain with a wider screen, better contrast, changing to a flat screen or changing the color and background. Repositioning your screen to a closer or further distance to better match our prescription can be of benefit.
Our bodies are made for movement. When we remain motionless or in one position for prolonged periods we will stiffen and circulation will suffer. Increased comfort is often as simple as taking frequent breaks that include a brief period of stretching and brisk movement. Avoiding odd postures necessary with some bifocal lenses can make a difference.
Looking away frequently and being aware of your surroundings can help. Train yourself to maintain your steady blinking and breathing. When breathing and blinking start to be suppressed, it is definitely time for a break.
You may have perfect vision for distance and still have significant focusing problems that effect your near comfort and efficiency. The glasses that work great for distance may not be the best for the computer. Specialty eyewear will often give an extreme boost in comfort.
Specialty eyewear may be as simple as low power reading lenses or as complicated as specially designed progressive lenses with a greater part of the lens dedicated to the intermediate area. Your computer lenses often need to be designed for a different distance than you would normally use for reading or driving.
Hosted by Sqwirl