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Computer vision syndrome is one of the more common and on-the-rise eye problems today mostly due to the increased usage and dependency on computers. We use computers for various purposes – work, studying, entertainment, networking etc.
Thus, our usage of computers goes well beyond an hour most of the time, this means that we are constantly staring at a computer screen for long periods of time. It is a scientific fact backed by medical research that our eyes’ blinking rate goes down drastically while using the computer.
The normal blinking rate for human eyes is usually 16-20 blinks per minute, while using the computer, research has shown that the blinking rate falls to 6-8 blinks per minute. This leads to dry eye and pink eye, and more importantly, it causes what is medically known as computer vision syndrome.
While the most common way through which people deal with ‘eye fatigue while viewing the computer screen’ is to simply step away from the screen, turn it off and rest the eyes fro a while. This kind of eye exercise, as it is sometimes called, may help relax the eyes temporarily, but the eye strain and eye fatigue will continue to occur as soon as they return to working on the computer. Most people who work on a computer for more than two hours or so, on a daily basis will benefit from computer eyewear.
The treatment prescribed by optometrists and ophthalmologists is usually specially made ‘Computer eye glasses’. Firstly, an eye doctor specializing in computer vision care will conduct an eye exam, determining the optimal working distance one must maintain from the computer screen to prevent computer vision syndrome. Then, computer eye glasses are prescribed according to the extent of computer vision syndrome.
Without computer eye glasses, users can easily contact headaches, eye strain and blurry vision while viewing computer screens. Computer eye glasses are different from reading glasses and even normal eye glasses that are prescribed to correct myopic or hyperopic vision.
The main difference that sets computer eye glasses apart is that they use multi-focal lenses (also known as occupational progressive lenses). The main aim of computer eye glasses is to provide ‘distance vision’. However, the simplest, most basic computer eye glasses use single vision lenses.
Computer users who have presbyopic vision are prescribed with computer eye glasses that are fitted with a lined trifocal lens. Some times an occupational bifocal lens is also prescribed to correct computer vision syndrome.
There is an obvious question raised whether computer anti-glare screens can help in preventing computer vision syndrome and computer eye strain. Tests have shown that although glare screens only reduce the glare reflections from the computer screen, and do not reduce the eye strains. The eyes continue to refocus continuously while viewing the computer screen, thus computer eye glasses seem to be the best step to correct CVS.
Thus, computer eye glasses not only correct and prevent computer vision syndrome, but also improve work productivity and accuracy.