How to Ease Your Computer Eye Strain

Dr. Jennifer Ashton Discusses Computer Vision Syndrome, Gives Tips for Helping Your Eyes Through the Day

(CBS)  If you use a computer more than two hours a day, you could be suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

The American Optometric Association says CVS, a new and growing condition, impacts as many as 70 percent of those who work on their computers for at least two hours each day.

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But what can you do to be easier on your eyes?

CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton explained on "The Early Show" how you can ease the eye strain from our digital addiction.

Ashton explained CVS is a term coined in 2005 to describe various symptoms that come with sitting in front of a computer, hand-held device, iPhone, iPodfor hours every day.

"It's a new and growing condition that's a byproduct of modern technology," she said. "The most common symptoms are: eye strain, dry or irritated eyes, fatigue, and headaches."

Ashton said some people are more prone to CVS than others.

She said, "According to eye care specialists (at the University of Pennsylvania) almost 71 percent of those who have reported experiencing the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome wear eyeglasses or contact lenses. These people also report more eye, neck and back pain than people who do not use optical aids. Also, though heredity seems to play a significant role in the development of myopia in childhood, some research suggests that eye strain, and specifically computer eye strain, may also be involved."

But what can you do? Sometimes prolonged computer use is necessary.

Ashton suggested these tips by VSP Vision Care for easing the strain:

1. Blink Often: When looking at a computer or hand-held digital device, it's common for you to blink two to three times less than you normally would. This can lead to "dry eye." Blinking bathes your eyes in tears, and tears are naturally therapeutic for the eyes.

2. The 20/20/20 Rule: When spending long periods in front of a digital device, every 20 minutes, spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away to allow your eyes to rest.

3. Ensure Proper Lighting: Poor lighting often causes eye strain. To help ease the strain on your eyes, keep bright lighting overhead to a minimum and position your desk lamp to shine on your desk, and not at you. Position your computer screen in a way that reduces reflections and glare from windows or overhead lights.

4. Location of computer screen: Most people find it more comfortable to view a computer when the eyes are looking downward. Optimally, the computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below eye level (about 4 or 5 inches) as measured from the center of the screen and 20 to 28 inches from the eyes.

[barbaram99]

Years ago people would rudely take books from my hands stating they would hurt my eye and I have to sit close to the TV in order to see it. I have an eye Dr. What works for one person may not the next..Practise common sense.

[lfitts2]

CVS is an invented syndrome..the computer screen no more hurts your eyes than reading a book...the rest of this stuff is normal ergonomics...of course it is easier to look down on a screen than crane your neck...you needed someone to tell you that??? The visual stuff was literally invented...there is no science or peer reviewed stuff to prove it. Practice good ergonomics.

[barbaram99]

I use a flat panel display which is easier on the eyes. Yep like the ones on Notebooks. I will agree that it is harder to see if the display is higher than one's field of sight but yet it is not easier to look down at it.
I can't see a netbook. I won't use them old style displays as they flicker/flash. I will not use them CFLs lights that they are pushing as they are worse..I can't see under them..That causes eye strain as well.

[roach9703]

Moving around and changing positions help also.

[barbaram99]

I waer glasses for seeing and use a hand magnifier for reading yet there is print on the computer display that ye must read..I have to use both ..People need to LISTEN to their bodies..Most don't..Common sense. Ye can use the tools in the OS to help.. Ease of Access center/centre if yer OS is Vista /Windows 7. I don't have reading glasses. Look at yer computer's OS , plus other helps and set it to yer needs.

[barbaram99]

I am a legally blind person..I have the display at eye level..I have as much in large print..I am near sighted. When I use a Notebook I have it at eye level..I have one eye with some sight..The display is at eye level..I have eye strain just by having one eye that I have to use..I use a lamp..I use a 4 power hand magnfier for reading. Sorry Doc, yer out of yer ballpark on the eyes..I was born 3 months too early is the reason I am visually impaired. Plus the shape of my eye plays a role..I was crossed eyed and at 3 they operatated to fix that. I am 55. Clean the display and yer glasses often.. I have my Notebook on angle stand. Cos of C/P I use one finger to type. I do not angle the display - it is the same as if I am holding a sheet of paper at eye level. ..My room mate does. We don't share PCs.

[barbj53]

so glad someone is finally talking about how debilitating Computer Vision Syndrome can be for people like me who work all day on the computer. There are so many of us out there who have the eyestrain, neck, back pain and don't know why. What you didn't mention is that most people use their reading glasses when viewing a computer, so they are using the wrong eyeglasses. When you view a computer you use your mid-range vision, not your reading vision, computer screen is a farther viewing distance. I know as I had terrible headaches and irrated eyes until I got glasses that corrected for my mid-range vision.

[cktirumalai]

I probably spend about 90 minutes at the computer daily, and am therefore within the 2-hour limit. It is helpful to know, however, that looking down at the computer screen is easier on the eye than gazing up at it: literally if not metaphorically.
Candadai Tirumalai