MYTH: We cannot do anything to protect our vision from worsening due to computer eyestrain.

FACT: With the correct eye care program that includes eye exercises, and proper diet and supplementation, you can significantly effect and even improve your vision.

COMPUTERS AND VISION

Over 100 million people in the United States today use computers. More than 50 percent experience eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision and other visual symptoms related to sustained use of the computer. This type of stress on the visual system can also cause body fatigue and reduced efficiency at work.

Many of these symptoms can be reduced through a combination of correcting workstation conditions, posture, stress-relieving lenses prescribed specifically for computer operation, special anti-glare screens, eye exercises and nutritional supplementation.

We were born to have hunters' eyes, needed for spotting game or danger at a distance. But during the last 50 years nearly all our work and much of our recreation, for example, video games, has shifted the focus of our vision to arm's length. This increased amount of near visual tasks often produces such changes as nearsightedness, suppressed vision in one eye, poor eye teaming and reduced efficiency at work and at play.

Although computer manufacturers have improved their products, many computer operators still experience visual stress due to the following; 1) an increase in the number and complexity of necessary eye movements and focusing skills, 2) poor lighting conditions, glare and distracting reflections, 3) the flicker rate of the screen, and 4) above all the extended amount of time spent on the computer.

Computer Stress Checklist:

Computer visual stress may underlie many direct and indirect symptoms. Eyestrain is a common direct symptom, while the need for shifts in posture and muscular strain resulting from poorly arranged work stations cause eye problems indirectly and other physical problems directly.

Direct Computer Stress Symptoms

  • headaches while doing or following computer use
  • irritated and/or dry eyes
  • blurred vision
  • slow refocusing when looking from screen to distance objects
  • frequently losing place when moving eyes between copy and the screen
  • difficulty seeing clearly at a distance after prolonged computer use
  • occasional doubling of vision
  • changes in color perception
  • changes in glasses prescription

 

Other Computer Stress Symptoms
 

  • neck or shoulder tension and pain
  • back pain
  • pain in arms, wrists, or shoulders when working on the computer
  • lowered visual efficiency and more frequent errors