Computer

Vision
Syndrome

What is
Computer Vision
Syndrome? (CVS)
A complex of eye or vision
problems which are experienced
during and related to computer
use.

Superior and lateral

rectus muscles, optic
nerve.

Superior and inferior

oblique muscles,
superior,inferior, and
lateral rectus muscles, with
eye.

Superior and inferior

oblique muscles, medial
and inferior rectus
muscles.

Eye with rectus muscle

attachments.

Why are we
concerned
about CVS?

143M American workers work on a computer

and estimates are:
- 88% suffer from computer eyestrain

90% of the 143M U.S. workers use

computers today for more than 3 hours per
day.

This problem effects productivity by 4 to 19% .

What are the symptoms

of CVS?

Eyestrain (sore or fatigued eyes)

Headache

Slowness in changing focusing distance

Eye irritation (burning, dryness, redness)

Neck, back & shoulder pain

The Problem

It has multiple causes & symptoms.

Prolonged viewing is the most common

cause and it has been proven to be unnatural
for the human optical system.

Humans blink approximately 22 times per

minute. During computer use humans blink
only 4 to 6 times per minute.

Other Problems

Lower blinking rates cause eye moisture to

evaporate (dry eye).

Dry eye causes people to arch their foreheads in

a effort see better, thus causing headaches.

Many people assume awkward, unnatural

postures, thus causing sore backs, stiff necks &
hurting shoulders.

FAQs
What Causes Computer Vision Syndrome?

CVS is caused by our eyes and brain reacting

differently to characters on the screen than
they do to printed characters.

Our eyes have little problem focusing on most printed

material, which is characterized by dense black characters
with well-defined edges. Healthy eyes can easily maintain
focus on the printed page. Characters on a computer screen,
however, don't have this contrast or well-defined edges.
These characters (pixels) are brightest at the center and
diminish in intensity toward their edges. This makes it very
difficult for our eyes to maintain focus and remain fixed
onto these images.

FAQs
Will Glare Screens Prevent CVS?

Glare screen filters may help somewhat, but they will

not solve your computer vision problems because
they only affect glare from the computer screen
not the visual problems related to the constant
refocusing of your eyes when working at a computer.
Only when your eyes can focus clearly at the plane of
proper distance on the computer screen can they
experience relief from the fatiguing effects of CVS.
An anti-reflective coating (AR) is also highly
recommended on all computer eyeglasses. An AR
coating prevents glare and reflections on the front and
the back of the lenses that would interfere with
focusing on the screen.

FAQs
Will Computer Eyeglasses Make the Screen
Clearer?

Yes, because they will eliminate the constant

refocusing effort that your eyes go through when
viewing the screen. It has also been proven clinically
that having the correct prescription in computer
eyeglasses increases productivity and accuracy.

FAQs
What About the Tints I've Heard of for
Computer Lenses?

If you work in a brightly lit office, you may

benefit from a light tint applied to your
computer lenses. This can cut the amount of
light that reaches your eyes and provide relief
in some cases. But tints and filters don't address
the underlying cause of computer eyestrain.

FAQs
Does Every Computer User Need Computer
Glasses?

More than 70% of computer users need computer

eyeglasses.** In fact, according to a study out of
the University of California, Berkeley, 25%-30% of
children would benefit from computer eyewear.

FAQs
Will My Reading Glasses Work at the
Computer?

Not necessarily. In most cases your reading glasses

are probably not going to do the job. The correct
computer eyeglasses will optimize your comfort and
productivity at the computer screen while also
allowing you to read and see out at some determined
distance (10-13 feet). Reading glasses are usually
prescribed to read at a distance of 16"-18", but
computer glasses are usually designed to work at 18"
to 28".

FAQs
Can CVS Cause Other Body Pains?
Headaches, sore neck, shoulders or back are common
complaints and there are two main causes, one having to do
with your vision and one not.
Vision
So where do the other aches and pains come in? These are
often caused by trying to read the screen through the bottom
portion of bifocals, or though half-eye reading glasses. You
tip your head up or lean forward to see and this unnatural
posture makes you sore.

FAQs
Isn't Ergonomics the Solution to Computer
Eyestrain?

Ergonomics is important changing one's

computer workstation can certainly help to minimize
other physical symptoms. But ergonomics cannot fix
a visual problem. The proper prescription computer
eyeglasses at the proper computer distance (18" to
28") is most important. This can be done only with
the right computer lens prescription.

1.

Reducing
Computer
Get a computer
eye exam.
Eyestrain

2. Use proper lighting.

Eyestrain is often caused by excessively bright
light coming in from outside and excessively
bright light inside. When you use a computer,
your ambient lighting should be about half that
used in most offices. Eliminate exterior light by
closing drapes, shades, or blinds. Reduce interior
lighting by using fewer light bulbs or fluorescent
tubes, or use lower intensity bulbs and tubes. If
possible, position your monitor so that windows
are to the side of it, instead of in front or back.

Reducing
Computer
3. Minimize glare.
Eyestrain
You may want to install an anti-glare screen on your

monitor and, if possible, paint bright white walls a

darker color with a matte finish. Again, cover the
windows; when outside light cannot be reduced, use
a computer hood. Have an anti-reflective coating
applied to your glasses. This will prevent glare and
reflections on the back side of your lenses
4. Adjust the brightness of your computer screen.

Closely match the brightness of the environment

with that of your computer screen. Make sure that
the text size and color are optimized for the most
comfort.

Reducing
Computer
5. Monitor Display
Quality
Eyestrain
Refresh rate: how often your monitor redraws the
content on the screen. A too-low rate can be hard on
your eyes, and a very slow rate causes a noticeable and
irritating flicker.
Resolution: a monitor's pixel density: the more pixels,
the higher the level of detail. Generally, the higher the
resolution the better.
Dot pitch: affects the sharpness of the display. The
lower the number, the sharper the image. Most
monitors have a dot pitch between 0.25 mm
(millimeters) and 0.28 mm; 0.28 or lower is desirable.

10 Steps to Reducing
Computer Eyestrain
6. Blink more often.

Blinking is very important when working at a

computer it rewets your eyes to avoid dryness and
irritation. When working at a computer, people blink
less frequently about five times less than normally,
according to studies. Tears coating the eye evaporate
more rapidly during long non-blinking phases and
cause dry eyes . Office buildings may have excessively
dry environments that also reduce tearing.

Also try this exercise: Every 30 minutes blink 10 times by

closing your eyes as if falling asleep (very slowly). This
will help rewet your eyes

7. Exercise and stretch your eyes.

An hourly exercise to readjust your focusing is to look

far away at an object for 10-15 seconds and then near
for 10-15 seconds, rocking your focusing back and
forth between near and far. Do this 10 times. Both of
these exercises will help you prevent strained near
vision and stretch your focusing muscles

10 Steps to Reducing
Computer Eyestrain
8. Take frequent breaks.

20/20/20 every 20 minutes look at

something at least 20 feet away for 20
seconds.
Every 50 minutes on a computer, change
tasks for 10 minutes.

9. Modify your workstation.

If you need to look back and forth between a

printed page and your computer screen, this
can cause eyestrain. Place written pages on a
copy stand adjacent to the monitor. Properly
light the copy stand; you may want to use a
desk lamp, but make sure it doesn't shine into
your eyes or onto the computer screen. Adjust
your workstation and chair to the correct
height. Purchase ergonomic furniture to
insure proper screen locations and posture.

10 Steps to Reducing
Computer Eyestrain
10. Exercise even when sitting.
Anyone in a sedentary job, especially
those using computers, should stand up,
move about, or exercise their arms, legs,
back, neck, and shoulders frequently.
NIOSH recommends several sitting,
stretching, and joint rotating exercises
for computer users

The Solution
Keep computer screens slightly
below eye level
20-26 inch from the screen
Keep contrast & brightness at
moderate levels
Keep screen clean
Reduce screen glare
Frequent short breaks
Purposely blink rapidly