Tag: CVS

Computer Glasses

Dependency on computers is increasing with time, in fact today a large number of people spend long hours on computers. This increased usage of computer makes it mandatory to take some precautions and one such important precaution is wearing Computer Glasses.

What are Computer Glasses?

Computer Glasses are eyewear that have anti-reflective lenses. These lenses block harmful radiations and reduce glare thereby enhancing vision and focus while working on a computer.

These glasses are also prescribed to reduce the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

What is Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)?

CVS describes a group of symptoms like eye strain, dry eyes, headache, blurred vision caused by prolonged computer use. These symptoms appear because the eyes and brain react differently to words on a computer screen than they do to printed text.

Whereas, if the person is over the age of 40, the problem may be due to onset of Presbyopia- a vision disorder in which the eye loses its ability to focus on nearby objects.

The question that comes to mind is, how are these computer glasses different from regular eyeglasses?

Difference between computer glasses and regular eyeglasses:

Regular eyeglasses are prescription glasses designed to improve vision. They make things, text and images appear clearer. These glasses are generally not coated with anti-reflective coating and therefore they do not protect eyes from harmful radiations caused by computers.

Computer glasses on the other hand come with anti-reflective lenses and therefore they reduce radiations coming from gadgets like computers. These glasses also alleviate CVS symptoms and protect eyestrain and headache caused due to prolonged working on computers.

These glasses can be worn by anyone belonging to any age group and do not have any side-effects on the eyes. Those with corrective vision can ask their optician for anti-reflective coating on their lenses.

Apart from radiations from computers, these glasses also eliminate glare/reflection caused from water, snow and other flat surfaces. By reducing these glares, they enhance driving, biking and other outdoor experiences. So those with perfect vision who prefer outdoor activities more than computers or any gadgets can also opt for these glasses.

These glasses are available in various styles, ranging from vintage to modern, from rimless to full rimmed, etc. Wearer can also choose material of glasses from plastic, metal, or ultra-light titanium.

The brand conscious need not worry as they can turn their branded pair into computer glasses by changing lenses or by adding anti-reflective coating to the lenses.

Computer is unavoidable, but its effect on eyes and CVS symptoms can be avoided by wearing Computer Glasses. Make wearing computer glasses a must to enhance visual experience.

What’s Computer vision syndrome (CVS)?

Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a temporary condition resulting from focusing the eyes on a computer display for protracted, uninterrupted periods of time. Some symptoms of CVS include headaches, blurred vision, neck pain, redness in the eyes, fatigue, eye strain, dry eyes, irritated eyes, double vision, polyopia, and difficulty refocusing the eyes. These symptoms can be further aggravated by improper lighting conditions (i.e. glare or bright overhead lighting) or air moving past the eyes (e.g. overhead vents, direct air from a fan).

Causes of Computer Vision Syndrome

Low Contrast: This is not a new concept for most people. The pixilated nature of the objects on a computer screen engenders low contrast. This is especially true of text on computer screen. Studying objects of low contrast causes eye strain, which can lead to CVS.

Prolonged Use: Most people work 8-9 hour days. Even if you take a 1 hour lunch break, this still leaves 3.5-4 hour periods during which you are staring at a computer screen. Extended viewing of a computer screen (over 2 hours), especially at a constant depth of field, is the primary cause of CVS.

Reduced Eye Movement: During activities in which they are not focused on a computer screen, the average person blinks about 16 times per minute. While looking at a computer screen however, this drops to 6 times per minute. In addition, they eye moves through a lesser range of motion when concentrating on a screen. This reduction in eye movement serves to dehydrate the eye, which can, among other things, lead to CVS.

Backlit Screens: Computer screens are -backlit-, meaning the light that illuminates the screen shines directly into your eyes. Most every other source of light we incur is first reflected off an object, entering our eyes at a lower amplitude. Staring at direct sources of light is hazardous, and can lead to CVS.

Prevention of Computer Vision Syndrome

For as serious as some of the effects of CVS can be, prevention of the condition is surprisingly easy. If you work in front of a computer screen on a daily basis, take these simple steps to avoid CVS and other eye-related problems.

Take a Break: Staring at a screen for an extended period of time is the leading cause of CVS. If you must work an entire day in front of the computer, make sure you take at least a 5 minute break every hour, and allow your eyes to relax. Looking out the window works great here.

Increase the Contrast: Modern computers have display adjustments either on the screen, in the -control panel- of the operating system, or both. Using these controls to increase the contrast of your computer monitor can make looking at the screen much easier on your eyes.

Blink: Making a conscious effort to blink more often while working at the computer will build a healthy habit sure to make your workday more comfortable. As you begin this exercise, use eye drops to help keep your eyes hydrated.

Put on eyewear: Glasses for computer can well block blue light and radiation from computer. Currently on the market, e-healthmate professional computer eyewear are nice choice for CVS.