The impact of computers on vision

It is inevitable that computers make our work easier and more efficient, but on the other hand computers also affect our health. According to experts, 70 to 75% of those who work or sit at a computer have vision problems. This condition is called “computer vision syndrome”.  Sitting at a computer for more than three hours a day is a potential risk for developing computer vision syndrome.

Although, so far, there is no reliable evidence that computer use leads to permanent eye damage, these symptoms can be a significant problem.

Visual disturbances and eye changes

As part of computer vision syndrome, visual disturbances may occur in the sense of difficult focusing, changes in color perception, sensitivity to light, feeling of flickering text. A feeling of dryness, redness, itching, burning, increased lacrimation, feeling of heaviness in the eyelids is common. Feeling of a foreign body in the eye especially occurs in contact lens wearers.

Preventive measures

In order to alleviate or eliminate discomfort caused by prolonged work at the computer we suggest:

• Adjust the brightness of the monitor to an intensity that pleases your eyes,
• Limit the time of continuous work at the computer.
• Apply the rule to look into the distance for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
• Use special filters in glasses or for the screen that reduce glare. Wearing special glasses designed for computer work reduces eye strain. They can also have a dioptre, if necessary, which the ophthalmologist will determine, and it is preferable that they also have an anti-reflective layer.

Be sure to visit an ophthalmologist

Inform your ophthalmologist about any eye fatigue or other problems you feel at work or while working with a computer. You may need glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision and make it easier for you to work on the computer. Glasses can be:

• Monofocal and will allow you good vision only at a single, fixed, far or close distance of about 35 cm.
• Multifocal glasses allow good vision at distance and near as well as at the intermediate distance just needed for working on computer.
• Bifocals achieve good distance and near vision, i.e. at 35 cm, but due to the direction of view when working on the computer, the use of these glasses requires a forced, unnatural position of the head tilted back, which creates fatigue in the neck area and a feeling of discomfort, so they are not recommended for working on the computer.

Glasses can be tinted (photosensitive) and anti-reflective layer, which can help increase contrast perception, filters glare and light reflection to reduce work discomfort.

Parents should consult a doctor if they notice that the child blinks, has red eyes, if he complains of tearing, blurred vision, eye fatigue and headaches.
The computers used by your children should be set to at an adequate height and with optimal lighting in order to reduced complaints.

With the correct choice of computer, the position of your body in relation to the screen, proper work and rest regime, using, if necessary, adequate glasses, you can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of computer vision syndrome.

It is recommended that you and your children’s vision be checked by a doctor at least once a year specialists. In the event that any of the mentioned symptoms occur, it is best to contact an ophthalmologist immediately.

Perfect Vision ophthalmology specialist team of KUĆA ZDRAVLJA polyclinic in Subotica is at your disposal.

Call us now or contact us via online request.