Nowadays it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t work in front of a computer or at least use some kind of digital device throughout the day. We live in a world that is driven by technology, so for many people, working in front of a computer for 8-hours of the day is the reality. Unfortunately, there are consequences associated with this. If you’re someone who works at a desk in front of a computer all day, you might have already noticed that by the end of the day, your eyes are tired and weary. That’s because you’ve been staring at a glowing screen for an extended period of time and likely not blinking a lot.
Since computer vision syndrome is such a common problem and yet surprisingly, a lot of people haven’t heart of it, let’s take a look at everything you should know about this condition…
1. What is Computer Vision Syndrome?
Computer vision syndrome is any kind of eye problem that is caused by the computer. It’s basically an umbrella term for eye strain that is caused by computer use, however there isn’t really one specific problem. “Instead, it includes a whole range of eye strain and pain,” writes WebMD. You’ve likely never heard of computer vision syndrome and that’s because it’s a relatively new concept, and Health24 explains that a lot of experts haven’t even agreed whether it’s a serious condition or not. “Computer vision is a new diagnosis, and a relatively trendy one at that,” says Dr. Ivan R. Schwab, a professor of ophthalmology at the University of California, Davis, to Health 24. “And the thought that focusing up close at technology will provoke a new set of symptoms different from that experienced during other forms of close-up work and attention has yet to be documented in any kind of scientific literature or study.”
WebMD also points out that between 50 and 90-percent of people who work in front of a computer screen will have some of the associated symptoms. It can also happen to kids who use tablets frequently or for long periods of the day.
