Used to glaring at your computer without blinking? Well, that can create a problem now, doctors tell SHILPA SHET

Take this short test:
Do you have —

• tired eyes ?
• eyestrain ?
• sore eyes ?
• periodic blurred near vision?
• occasional blurred distance vision?
• headaches?
• dry eyes?
• slowness in changing the focus of your eyes?
• red eyes?
• burning eyes?
• contact lens discomfort?
• changes in color perception?
• glare sensitivity?
• excessive tearing?
• neck, shoulder and back pain?

If you checked even one or two of these symptoms, and if your work or recreation involves prolonged use of computer monitors or video display terminals, you could be suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

What is Computer Vision Syndrome?
It’s a condition recognized by the American Optometric Association that affects users of video display terminals (VDTs, computer monitors).

Some CVS symptoms include dry burning eyes; blurred vision; delayed focusing; altered color perception, and headaches.

Computer Vision Syndrome doesn’t just cause personal discomfort - it can have significant effects on workplace productivity. Though doctors like Dr S Natarajan, ophthalmologist and head of Aditya Jyot Hospital, feel that CVS is not a serious eye condition, some like Dr Nitin Dedhia feel differently.

"With increased use of computers for all kinds of work, a new type of problem is emerging for us eye doctors in the form of CVS," says Dr Dedhia, who has a laser surgery center at Bandra, Mumbai.

Dr Natarajan says that symptoms of CVS can be the same for television watching or even book reading. "Any activity where people tend to use their eyes without blinking can lead to dry eyes, which could create complications for the eye," he feels.

Dr Dedhia sums the computer-usage problem as follows:

• The computer has color monitor with excessive light reflection and frequent picture changes putting strain on the eyes.
• It involves excessive near work resulting in fatigue of eye muscles and thereby leading to eye-strain.
• Due to continuous exposure to the monitor screen, blinking is reduced resulting in dry eyes, with feeling of heaviness or some foreign body sensation in the eyes.

So while you are busy working, you are also putting strain on your eyes and the rest of your upper body. Reports indicate that though display screens do not cause any health injuries, their practice can make the user susceptible to health risks like ocular migraines, photophobia, cataract and visual epilepsy.

What is the treatment?
Though there is no formal treatment pattern, different ophthalmologist prescribe different treatment modules. Most prescribe that the user should keep blinking in a normal manner, which would be blink every few seconds.

"This helps keep the eyes moist and avoids dry eye," says Dr Natarajan.

Dr Dedhia has the following dos an don’ts:

• After working for an hour or so just close your eyes for 5 minutes or look at the distance. It relaxes your eye muscles.
• Frequent blinking is necessary, sometimes lubricating drops can also help.
• The computers should be slightly below the eye level.

Tips to protect your eye:
Both office lighting and sunlight can create a lot of glare and reflection on your monitor. Here’s what you can do:

• Position your computer so that any windows are to the side of the monitor, rather in front or in back.
• Adjust window blinds so that the sunlight is away from your screen and your eyes.
• Turn off overhead lights that are too bright. If this turns out to be not bright enough, switch to a lower wattage bulb, or use a desk lamp.
• Move your desk lamp to a spot where it doesn’t reflect on the screen or shine in your eyes.
• Attach a glare-blocking hood to your monitor. Much as a jacket hood can reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches your eyes from the top and sides of your head, a monitor hood reduces the amount of light that can reach your screen.
• Attach a glare filter to your screen.
• Adjust your monitor: See that you do not use bright colours and tones on the screen. Let the text size on your monitor be large enough for you to see without straining your eyes.

If irritation persists, you need to visit your ophthalmologist to find out what could be possibly the reason for your eye irritation.

More Tips...

• Take frequent breaks by looking away from the screen, then closing the eyes.
• Use an adjustable chair with good support.
• Stand up and stretch at regular intervals.
• Adjust the monitor so that letters show up on a light background. Experiment to find the most comfortable brightness, contrast and typefaces.
• Use a 20 inch screen if possible.
• Keep the screen and eyewear clean.