In the digital age, in which we must spend time with the computer screen or with electronic devices for a long time, the problems of health connected with using the eyes too much are therefore increasing continuously. One of them is "computer vision syndrome", which is becoming a problem of health and usually arises together with the symptoms of office syndrome met often in the group of office workers. This article will take you to understand what Computer Vision Syndrome is, what the symptoms are like, and how it can be prevented and treated
What is computer vision syndrome?
Computer vision syndrome, or Computer Vision Syndrome, is a group of symptoms arising from using the eyes to look at a computer screen, a smartphone, or electronic devices for a long time, giving rise to stress and tiredness of the eyes from the muscles of the eyes working too hard, as well as other symptoms of discomfort connected with the use of the eyes
Computer vision syndrome and office syndrome are closely connected with each other. Working in front of a computer screen in the same posture for a long time gives rise to a posture of "the face jutting forward, the shoulders rounded". When symptoms of the eyes arise from using the computer, we have a tendency to adjust the posture of sitting unsuitably in order to try to reduce the feeling of discomfort in the eyes or to try to see more clearly, which gives rise to tightness and symptoms of muscle pain in various parts of the body following on from that
The causes that give rise to the symptoms of computer vision syndrome
Computer vision syndrome has its main cause in using the eyes with a computer screen or electronic devices for a long time, but there are also other risk factors that make the symptoms more severe, as follows
- Staring at the screen continuously for a long time, which makes the rate of blinking reduce to about 1/3 of normal, giving rise to symptoms of dry eyes
- Reflected light and glare from the screen, which make the eyes have to work harder
- An unsuitable distance between the eyes and the screen, or the placing of the screen in a position that requires raising the face or lowering the face too much
- A deficiency of vision that has not received suitable correction, such as short sight, long sight, or astigmatism, which makes the eyes have to work harder in order to try to focus the image on the screen
- Increased age, which makes the ability of the eyes to adjust the focus reduce, so there is more risk of the symptoms arising
- The use of contact lenses, which usually has more risk of symptoms of dry eyes than normal, which may make the symptoms of computer vision syndrome more severe
The symptoms and the dangers of computer vision syndrome
Computer vision syndrome has varied symptoms, most of which are connected with the discomfort of the eyes and of seeing, but it may also affect other parts of the body as well. The symptoms met often are
The symptoms of the eyes
The symptoms of computer vision syndrome met often in the eyes are dry eyes, burning eyes, tired eyes, seeing double or blurred images, adjusting the focus slowly when changing the distance of looking, and increased sensitivity to light. Some individuals may have abnormally excessive tears flowing, which is a reaction of the body responding to a state of dry eyes
The other symptoms connected with it
Besides the symptoms of the eyes, those who have computer vision syndrome may also have other symptoms, such as headache at the area of the temple and the forehead, pain in the neck, the shoulder, the upper arm, and the upper back, which arise from the posture of sitting and from adapting in order to look at the screen unsuitably. Some individuals may have symptoms of dizziness or nausea as well
How can computer vision syndrome be prevented?
Preventing computer vision syndrome is an important thing for everyone who must use a computer regularly, by caring for oneself in the correct way, in order to reduce the risk and relieve the symptoms effectively. These are the methods of preventing computer vision syndrome that can be done by oneself
The 20-20-20 rule in order to reduce the stress of the eyes
Every 20 minutes of using the computer, rest the eyes by looking at an object that is at least 20 feet away, for a period of 20 seconds. This method helps the muscles of the eyes get rest and adjust the focus, reducing the symptoms of tiredness of the eyes that have to stare at the screen for a long time
Adjusting the settings of the screen and the position of placing the equipment
Adjust the brightness of the screen so that it is suitable, reduce the blue light with Night Mode, and place the computer screen slightly lower than eye level, 50-70 cm away from the eyes. Set the screen in a position that has no reflected light from the window or from the lights in the room
Blinking more often
When looking at the screen, the rate of blinking reduces greatly, giving rise to dry eyes. Deliberately blinking often will help the eyes be moist, reducing the symptoms of burning and irritation
The use of artificial tears
Artificial tears help increase the moisture of the eyes, particularly when working in an air-conditioned room that makes the air dry. Artificial tears without preservatives should be chosen for those who must use them often, and they should be carried and kept at the work desk
Caring for the environment of work
Arrange the place so that there is enough light in the workroom but not too glaring, use a humidifier if you are in an area that has dry air, and adjust the temperature of the room so that it is not too cold, in order to reduce the symptoms of dry eyes
Postures of exercising the muscles of the eyes and the neck that can be done easily
Do easy postures of exercise, such as rolling the eyes in a circle, looking left-right and up-down, massaging lightly at the area of the temple and around the eyes, as well as exercising the muscles of the neck and the shoulder by turning the neck slowly and raising the shoulders up and down
Checking the eyes regularly
Have the eyes measured at least once a year, in order to be sure that the glasses or contact lenses used suit the state of the eyes. The use of glasses specifically for the computer should be considered, which have a special coating of the lens in order to filter blue light
In summary
Computer vision syndrome (Computer Vision Syndrome) is a group of symptoms close to us that can be met often in the digital age, particularly in people who work in an office and people who stare at a screen regularly. Preventing computer vision syndrome by oneself, alongside consulting an ophthalmologist, will help in receiving a consultation and having an approach to treatment that is correct and even more suitable
At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic, a clinic specialising in medical practice in the branch of rehabilitation medicine, there is the service of Facial Dry Needling, or needling on the face, which can help the symptoms of blurring, tense eyes, or pain around the eye socket. Besides this, doing rehabilitation medicine in other respects has an important role in treating the symptoms connected with computer vision syndrome, particularly the effects on the muscles and the nervous system that arise together with the symptoms of computer vision syndrome, by various methods, such as Western needling (Dry Needling), therapy with electromagnetic waves (PMS), treatment with high-energy laser light (High Power Laser), and therapy with the Shockwave machine, which at PYONG Rehabilitation is therapy with Focused Shockwave Therapy together with 3D Dynamic Focusing
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