How can you Treat Computer Vision Syndrome?
Computer vision syndrome can be treated by:
- Wearing prescription glasses, antiglare glasses or contact lenses which are specific for computer use
- Special designs and tints may be needed to filter out the glare and help to improve vision and reduce eye strain
- Dry eyes due to decreased blink rate or staring at a computer screen can be managed by using lubricating eye drops or artificial tears
- Using anti-glare screens or glare filters to decrease the amount of light reflected from the screen
- Using proper lighting techniques - Position the computer screen to avoid glare, particularly from overhead lighting or windows. Use drapes or blinds on windows. Position the computer away from the glare of light from windows or overhead lights and replace the high wattage light bulbs in desk lamps with those of lower wattage or you may install a dimmer switch for the overhead lights
- Using an ergonomic chair - These chairs will help you sit up straight in a comfortable manner and also help prevent damage to your back and shoulders. Chair height should be adjusted so your feet rest flat on the floor and the chair arms should be adjusted to provide arm support while you are typing
- Viewing the computer screen at a distance of twenty inches from the eyes and placing the computer screen four to five inches below eye level as measured from the center of the screen
- Keeping reference materials next to the monitor so that you do not need to move your head to look from the paper to the screen
- Treating any pre-conditions of the eye such as contact lens allergies, refraction errors such as myopia, astigmatism or presbyopia which may exacerbate CVS symptoms
- Changing your computer factory pre-settings - You can adjust the brightness, contrast, and font size to suit your needs
- Performing eye exercises. Visual training or vision therapy may be helpful if you have problems with focusing or coordination of the eyes which cannot be corrected with prescription glasses or lenses. Vision training includes eye exercises to improve the focusing and coordination between the eyes and brain
- Clinical studies at the outpatient department of Shalakya Tantra of I.P.G.T. & R.A., G.A.U, Jamnagar have shown that use of Ayurvedic medicines such as Triphala Arka as eye drops and Saptamrita Lauha taken internally in pill form have proven beneficial in treatment of CVS
How can you Prevent Computer Vision Syndrome?
Computer vision syndrome or digital eyestrain can be prevented by:
- Use of proper corrective glasses for refractive errors such as myopia, astigmatism and presbyopia to prevent further deterioration of eye symptoms
- Blinking frequently to prevent drying out of the eyes
- Modify lighting sources such as overhead fluorescent lights, high wattage table lamps and light from windows with proper blinds, filters, dimmers or room adjustment so that adequate lighting is obtained to suit your needs. People over fifty require much higher light levels than young adults
- Create a balance between the computer screen and the surrounding lights - Using a dark background screen often requires lower levels of light - Use of an additional reading lamp, screen filters and antiglare glasses can help reduce glare and reflection of the computer screen. The computer screen brightness and contrast levels should be adjusted to provide balance between lighting in the room and visibility
- Proper adjustment of the workstation - People often assume uncomfortable positions such as slouching or tilting of the head in order to see the screen properly without realizing that these postures may lead to muscular and eye stress
- Keep a proper eye distance from the screen - It is recommended that the eyes should be about twenty inches from the screen and that the screen should be placed ten to twenty degrees below eye level to reduce eye discomfort and improve work performance
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule - Looking away from the computer screen every twenty minutes at something around twenty feet away for about twenty seconds helps prevent CVS
Do eye exercises regularly to help strengthen eye muscles and improve connections between brain and eyes - Taking frequent short breaks, stretching the muscles and a change of environment has also proven beneficial
