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Computers and your Eyes - Our goal is to give computer users the knowledge required to help adapt your eyes to this new medium and enhance quality time spent working or playing with a computer.
How VDTs can affect your vision
We've all heard about the debilitating effects of Repetitive Stain Injury (RSI) on office workers who fall victim to this painful condition, and the resultant losses in productivity. The problem of eye strain from prolonged sessions at video display terminals is broadly similar in its impact on productivity, morale, absenteeism and even health costs, and yet it receives relatively little attention.
This may be because the symptoms of eye strain from video display terminals (VDT) use disappear quite quickly once the sufferer leaves his or her work station or shuts down the terminal.
No long-term disability is involved. However, the damaging effects on day-to-day morale, productivity and general well-being in the work place are no less significant.
Eye strain at the computer is a real problem, in both human and economic terms. The symptoms have been collectively described as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)
The human visual system evolved primarily for use at far distances, and only secondarily for close-up work. We are simply not properly equipped to comfortably spend long periods staring into VDTs. Our eyes dry out and become sore, our ability to adjust focus slows, vision may blur. Headaches, sore shoulders and pain in the neck may result. We can't change the basic structure of our bodies but there is much we can do to minimize the problem of eyestrain.
It's important to take periodic vision breaks during extended sessions of work at video display terminals (VDTs). The optimal work time between breaks ranges from 20 and 60 minutes in most work environments. Typical breaks run from 2 to 4 minutes long.
There are a number of things you can do during your break to help maintain vision comfort.
- If you find that your eyes feel hot, dry or gritty while working at your computer workstation, the need for lubricant eyedrops may be indicated. Try these eyedrops as needed for relief of this problem.
- Blinking exercises: these exercises help to restore the tear film layer, and re-wet contact lenses. Many individuals find relief after performing these simple blinking exercises.
- Clean your VDT screen.
- Clean your glasses.
- There are special eyeglass lenses available strictly for computer work.
Dry Eye
The gritty, burning sensation in the eyes that sometimes accompanies long sessions at the video display terminal can be caused by a number of factors. Firstly, when using a VDT, one tends to blink less than when performing other tasks. That means the eye gets moistened less often.
Additionally, the posture typically adopted when using a VDT contributes to dry eye. When reading text on paper, one's head is normally tilted down. As a result, the eyelids cover a good portion of the eye. When using a VDT however, one's head is erect and the eyes are open wider. The evaporation of the tears increases when the eye is opened wider. This results in a higher risk of dry eye.
Dry eye can be particularly bothersome for contact lens wearers, and is more likely to be a problem as one gets older.
Other Factors That May Contribute To Dry Eye Include:
Environmental conditions such as chemicals or dust in the air, drafts, low humidity and static buildup.
- Hormonal changes that come with menopause: post-menopausal women are the group most affected by dry eye problems.
- Medications taken for menopause, birth control, high blood pressure, stomach ailments and allergies.
- Poorly-applied cosmetics, especially eye liner covering the oil-producing glands along the edge of the eyelids. Without the thin film of oil that the glands secrete, the moisture on the eye evaporates more quickly.
Dry eye problems can be reduced by using appropriate ocular lubricants to rewet the eye surface before discomfort arises. This means that the proper tear film quality and quantity must be supplemented periodically for those who suffer from dry eye symptoms. The formulation of the supplement must contribute to the wetability of the eye surface and the tear volume, as well as maintaining the proper balance of salts and acidity. Ocular lubricants are classified as an over-the-counter (OTC) preparation. They are available without prescription at most drug stores.
If you are concerned about VDT's or your eyes, talk to us. We are here to help. Please don't put things off. You can use the handy Question Form and we will respond. We are building an FAQ (frequently asked questions) section for future use.