Computer Vision Syndrome

Most people wearing eyeglasses remembers when they got them and why. At some point they noticed that they couldn't see everything clearly. For younger glasses wearers, it may have been a teacher or parent who noticed. Since then they have had regular visits to the doctor, and prescriptions that changed with their eyes. Wearers of glasses assume that this is normal and all that is needed. But if they spend long periods of time in front of a computer screen, they may begin to think otherwise.

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is the name for vision problems caused by time in front of a computer display. The wearers of eyeglasses are particularly susceptible, because their glasses were not designed for that purpose. The typical distance between the eyes and the screen is 20 to 25 inches. This falls within the "intermediate zone," and is the zone given the least attention in most eyeglasses. Traditional vision needs are either at a distance or close up; the dashboard of an automobile is one of the few regular uses of the intermediate zone.

Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

Symptoms of CVS include:

• headaches,
• sore back,
• sore neck,
• blurred vision,
• double vision, and
• tired or burning eyes.

These symptoms may not be initially associated with the work environment. A doctor’s examination will determine whether or not a person suffers from CVS.

Treatments for Computer Vision Syndrome

After diagnosis, the doctor will likely recommend computer glasses. Some insurance companies pay for these; others don't. Savvy employers happily pay for them, as they are inexpensive and are proven to increase productivity.

Wearers of eyeglasses know that there are many types of lenses available, and they may want to consider which type is appropriate. A single-purpose lens is the most economical solution. After measuring the working distance from the eyes to the screen, the doctor will prescribe a lens for use at that distance—but it won't be good for much else. These glasses are kept by the screen and used only there.

An alternative is a multi-focal lens optimized for viewing the computer screen. This could be a bifocal with a reading lens on the bottom and intermediate lens at the top (still only useful at the desk). Or it could be a trifocal with an enlarged intermediate lens in the middle. An advantage to trifocals is that the glasses need not be removed when away from the desk.

Also appropriate to a busy office would be "occupational progressive" lenses. These are normal progressive lenses optimized to a shorter focal distance. They are suitable for office tasks but not for driving. Another consideration with computer glasses is coatings; two types are likely to be advantageous. A UV coating should be used to protect the eye from fluorescent lighting. This is a different coating than the one applied to all plastic lenses; that coating is to protect the plastic from UV, not the eye. The other coating, not generally offered but always available, is an anti-reflective coating. This prevents internal reflections in the lens from confusing the eye's focusing mechanism, and is present in all high-quality optics. The brain adjusts itself to the problems we encounter, so reducing these problems greatly increases visual response, comfort, and acuity.

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