Diagnosis and treatment of computer vision syndrome

The severity and length of computer vision syndrome symptoms depends on how long you stare at the computer, your posture, lighting, glare, the angle of the monitor, and whether or not you have other diagnosed or undiagnosed vision problems.  If you already suffer from astigmatism, farsightedness, presbyopia, aging eyes, and/or diabetic eye problems, your computer vision symptoms may worsen.  This can even be the case if you already have prescription contacts or glasses.  Many regular eyeglasses and contact lenses are not designed to deflect the problems caused by computer screens. 

Our doctors will take your symptoms, pre-existing conditions, and potential undiagnosed conditions into account as she performs the following eye tests:

Visual Acuity: Measures the quality of your current vision.
Refraction: Tests the potential lens prescriptions that would optimize your vision.
Focus & Eye Coordination: Tests how well your eyes work together and how quickly and accurately your eyes are able to focus on objects and varying distances. 

From these measurements, our doctors can design a treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.  For people with no symptoms, having a set of specifically-designed glasses used during the time you are working on the computer can be very helpful.  For patients already wearing contacts or glasses, new, more computer-friendly prescriptions are available.  

Below are things that we suggest to cut down on computer eye strain problems.

• Computer Setup - Adjust your monitor so that is is about 15-20 degrees lower than your eye level when seated between 20-28 inches away from your screen.  Reference materials can be placed on a document holder between the monitor and keyboard, or to the side, but positioned for as little head movement as possible.  Also invest in an anti-glare screen for your monitor to help reduce glare from surrounding lights.  Be sure to sit and work with proper posture.
• Adjust Lighting - If you can, reposition any lighting (or your computer) to minimize glare and use natural lighting whenever possible. 
• Eye Rest and Blinking Breaks - Every 20 minutes during your work, look away toward a distant point for 20 seconds to refocus your eyes, and give them a 15 minute break after each 2 hour computer session.  Also remember to blink more frequently to keep your eyes lubricated.
  

With a combination of the proper optometry care and self-care, you can minimize computer eye syndrome and other modern-day vision problems.