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Computer Vision
Syndrome
While working on your computer, do you suffer from:
Burning/red eyes?
Tired eyes?
Focusing difficulties/blurry vision?
Headaches?
Double vision?
Neck and shoulder pain?
If you are experiencing these symptoms, you, like millions of Americans,
are suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome. Maurice Mosseri, MD has
helped countless people with their computer related visual problems.
What causes computer vision syndrome?
The underlying cause relates to the differences between viewing a computer
screen versus viewing a printed page. These can be grouped into three main
categories:
1. Focusing differences
2. Eye position/ Computer screen differences
3. Body (ergonomic) differences
Focusing (accommodating) difficulties: When we read, our eye
muscles contract allowing us to focus up close. The letters on a printed
page have sharp contrast edges, allowing our eyes to “lock in” on the
proper focus point. The letters on a computer screen, however, are made of
tiny dots called pixels, which have edges that are not as bright as the
center, so that there is less contrast and our eyes are unable to “lock
in” to the proper focus. As our focus drifts, our brain sends a signal to
re-focus. This constant focusing and de-focusing causes tremendous strain
on the eyes, causing many of the symptoms that computer users suffer.
Because of this added strain on the focusing mechanism, many people who
don’t need reading glasses will greatly benefit from computer glasses that
reduce the eye’s constant focusing effort. Reading glasses are usually NOT
adequate for computer use.
Board Certified Ophthalmologist Maurice Mosseri, MD can help diagnose the
proper correction needed, and prescribe the correct computer glasses for
this aspect of computer vision syndrome.
Eye-Position/ Computer screen related effects: While viewing a
computer screen, we blink much less frequently. This decrease in blink
rate is also seen while we are reading. However, when we read, we
generally are looking down, while when we are using a computer, we are
generally looking straight ahead.
The sum result of these changes are an increase in dry eyes and glare
symptoms.
Dry Eyes: People with dry eyes suffer from red, irritated, burning,
itchy, scratchy eyes, with occasional tearing and blurring of vision.
Contact lens wearers may find that they are unable to wear their contact
lenses comfortably while working on the computer.
The eyes require a smooth layer of tears coating the surface in order to
feel comfortable and function properly. Because of the decrease in blink
rate, tears are not spread over the cornea properly. In addition, when
looking straight ahead, more tears evaporate compared with reading where
the lid is covering more of the eye. The office environment also tends to
have dry air, which will worsen dry eye symptoms.
Board Certified Ophthalmologist Maurice Mosseri, MD can diagnose dry eye
syndrome and computer related dry eye, and offer treatment with either
artificial tears, anti-inflammatory medicines such as RestasisR , or
punctual plugs.
Computer Screen Related Problems
Glare
Looking straight ahead at the computer screen as opposed to down while
reading allows more overhead light to enter the eye. In addition, any
bright light in your field of view, such as from a window or desk lamp,
will cause glare symptoms.
How to Test for Glare and What to do about it: Try blocking the
bright light source with your hand-do this a few times and see if you feel
less discomfort. If you do, try eliminating or blocking the bright light
source. Also make sure you don’t have bright reflective surfaces in your
work area such as a white reflective desk. The brightness of the computer
screen should be similar to the surround light level.
Reflections
The computer screen is glass coated on the inside with phosphor. There are
two types of reflections that can occur off the screen: specular and
diffuse. Specular reflections are the mirror-like reflections that occur
on a localized spot of the screen, which can be severe enough to cause
that part of screen to be un-viewable without repositioning yourself. This
can lead to musculo-skeletal complaints such as neck and back pain.
Oftentimes a bright light source is the cause, and this source should be
eliminated or blocked.
A more insidious reflection is diffuse reflections, which are the result
of general ambient light reflecting off the monitor screen. Glare filters
can be placed over the monitor. Glass or plastic glare filters should have
anti-reflective coating to avoid reflection problems from the filter!
Computer Monitor Distance
The computer monitor should be at 20-28 inches away from you- If you are
too close to the screen, you are excessively straining your eyes. If you
find that you need to be closer or farther away than this 20-28 inch
distance, you should schedule an eye exam with Maurice Mosseri, MD.
It is important that you obtain a complete eye exam to ensure your eyes
are healthy and are optimized for maximal comfort while working on your
computer.
Board Certified Ophthalmologist Maurice Mosseri, MD will ensure that your
eyes are properly focused for computer work, are properly lubricated and
will address other components of your computer monitor environment to get
you as comfortable as possible so that you don’t needlessly suffer from
the red, tired, burning, scratchy, irritated, achy eyes that are part of
computer vision syndrome.
To schedule an
appointment for computer vision syndrome relief please feel free to contact Board
Certified Ophthalmologist, Maurice Mosseri, MD at any of his New York
offices (Manhattan, Brooklyn,
and Queens)
or send an email to
info@drmosseri.com.
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