VSP Blog

Today we welcome VSP provider Joel Kestenbaum, O.D. from Long Island N.Y. His guest blog gives an overview of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and tips to resolve CVS symptoms.

Everyday patients complain of blurred vision and burning or itchy eyes. More often than not, these people are spending overwhelming amounts of time at the computer at work and at home.  They are developing Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

Practicing healthy computer vision hygiene is just as important as brushing your teeth and taking a shower … and its results can dramatically improve your comfort and productivity at work.

Here are a few simple steps to keep your vision healthy starting with the “20/20/20 Rule.” What’s with all the 20′s?  It goes a little something like this.

• 20 minutes using the computer- in which you focus intently upon the screen.
• 20 second break – take a 20 second break after you have focused on the screen for 20 minutes
• 20 feet away – focus your eyes upon something roughly 20 feet away for this 20-second break.

What happens if you use the computer for long periods of time without a break?

Photo courtesy of Indiana University.

1. Headaches
2. Neck and upper back aches
3. Blurry vision during and after computer use
4. Eye strain, possibly causing changes in vision
5. Burning, itching and watery eyes
6. Overall loss of short-term focus until eyes adjust.

So how can you resolve these issues besides using the 20/20/20 rule?

1. Overall you want to minimize your eye, head and neck movements to prevent strain.
2. Angle your computer monitor so it is at the same angle as the material being typed. Ideally, the screen should be lower than your eyes at about a 15-degree angle.  Attach a paper holding device to your screen if you spend a lot of time in front of the screen.
3. Upgrade your monitor to an LCD screen. These screens usually have an anti-reflective surface. Older CRT screens have a noticeable flickering of images that may cause eyestrain.
4. Use comfortable furniture to maintain a very comfortable position, one in which you are not constantly shifting around to see the computer screen.
5. Anti-glare screens not only filter UV radiation, they allow for a perfect focus situation where you are not bothered by the reflections around the work place.
6. A light tint on specially prescribed computer eyeglass lenses will help to improve contrast and reduce glare and reflections.

With the right habits and a quality computer setup you can increase your work efficiency and maintain excellent eye health.

Dr. Joel Kestenbaum
www.longislandeyedoctor.com

Editor’s Note: Have a question for Dr. Kestenbaum? Ask in the comments below.

File under: CVS, eye health, Private Practice Doctors | Tagged: 20 20 20 Rule, back aches, blurry vision, burning eyes, computer vision syndrom, eye strain, headaches, itchy eyes, Joel Kestenbaum, neck aches, private practice eye doctors, watery eyes