Exposure To Computer Screen Causes Pain In The Eyes

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) also called digital eye strain is becoming common in Nigeria and around the world. But many people do not know about it. This is the main reason it is escalating. Sufferers come to the hospital or pharmacy complaining about it. They do not know what they are suffering from and what is causing it.

Causes Of CVS
The signs and symptoms of cvs
Computer vision syndrome

The eye is designed to focus on objects at good enough distant from the eyes with good enough light. When the eyes focus on an object that is too close with high or low light intensity, it adjust the ciliary muscles of the eyes to be able to adapt it. However, when the focus takes too long a time, the muscles reacts to the exposure which include pain. The reaction is to send a warning signal to the user to adjust focus..
The main culprit of CVS is looking at an electronic screen for a long time in a poorly lit environment. To make matters worst, some sit extremely very close to the screen at an angle that compromise it increasing glare from the screen. All these lead to the addition of other symptoms.
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Old electronic screens produce so much blue light. Blue light is the last in the visible light spectrum close to ultra violet light. It has a short wavelength and frequency with high energy. Animals studies has demonstrated how this energy light can affect the quality of life. It is believe that this light can cause enough strain in the eyes. It has been shown that it has the ability to pass the eye and prevent melatonin secretions in the body. Melatonin is one of the neurotransmitters responsible for sleep regulations in the body. Without it, the body will not know when to sleep. When people sleep less, they suffer from some of the side effects we discuss earlier.
To curb this, screen manufacturers are designing their products to release lesser levels of blue light.
Glare is another major cause of CVS. Glares can come from the sun through the window or door or even from an electronic light in the room hitting the screen. The glare increase the screen brightness at one side while the other side of the screen brightness is low. It strains the eyes trying to adjust the muscles to be able to see both sides.
When we are carried away with an activity especially when it involve our eyes, we tend to blink less. Blinking the eyes help to lubricate it. Humans are supposed to blink the eyes 15 times in a minute. Looking at a screen reduce the number of times we blink because we don't want to miss any details on the screen. This increases the number of time flowing air pass the eyes. This increases evaporation of fluid from the eyes which reduce the lubrication in the eyes and eventually increase the symptoms of CVS.
The eyes are not meant to focus on objects too close to the eyes for a long time. A good distance is 20 inches away. However, this is not obtainable with computers although it is possible with television. Too close strains the ciliary muscles as it flickers between the sides of the screen. When you look at the left side of a screen, the muscles adjust and as you take away your gaze to the right, the muscles adjust again. This motion is also affecting your brain as it process the information and the whole setup requires a lot of work.

Sign And Symptoms Of CVS

1. Pain in the eyes especially on exposure to sunlight or bright sources of light
2. Headache
3. Blurred vision that get worse on exposure to the sun
4. Neck pain
5. Eye strain
6. Dizziness
7. Double vision
8. Dry irritated eyes
How It Happen

Prevention Of CVS

The electronic screen should be 15-20 degrees below the eyes from the center of the screen. Experience have demonstrated that at this angle, the effect of CVS is reduce. The screen distance from the eyes should be at least 15 inches. Any materials that is to be looked at during the course of working on the screen should be above the keyboard or below the screen or at least by the side. This is to reduce both eye and neck movement which causes neck pain.
The lighting in the room should be at same level with the screen brightness. That is why modern phones come with automatic screen brightness according to the environment light condition. The screen should not be directly opposite any light source be it sun rays or electric bulb. All window curtains should cover all sun rays into the room. Turn off overhead florescent lights. The best lighting in the room is floor lamps that permit indirect soft white led lighting.
Use glare filters for old screen like the cathode Ray tube (CRT). Get flat screen with high screen resolution. Adjust screen brightness, text size and contrast, colour temperature to suit the environment light condition.
Sitting should be comfortable. The feet should rest on the floor and your back rest on a support upright.

Treatment Of CVS

Computer vision syndrome resolve with time. Continuous exposure increases the time duration when it will resolve. To treat, avoid exposure to electronic screens or carry out preventive measures.
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One of the major problem of CVS is dry irritated eyes. To solve this, a synthetic artificial tears does the magic. There are also eye or ocular lubricant available in the market.
Some eye supplements can be of help. Example is carrotenoid containing lutein, zeaxanthin and mesozeaxanthin.
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  2. Hey
    My Daughter who is 10 yrs old keeps complaining that her eyes are burning and would rub her eyes. Is Squint Eye Surgery in Punjab is good for her?

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