Computer Vision Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment

With people spending more time in front of electronic screens every day, our eye doctor, Dr. Christine Best has been diagnosing and treating increasing numbers of patients suffering from computer vision syndrome (CVS), also known as digital eye strain. CVS not only occurs as a result of computer use, but also time watching television, looking at cell phone screens, and using e-readers and tablets.

Electronic screens’ blurry letters, unnatural light, movement, contrast, flicker, and glare force our eyes to strain in order to see the screens clearly. As a result, CVS develops. CVS describes a group of symptoms which include:

  • Blurred or Double Vision
  • Dry Eyes
  • Irritation
  • Eye Pain
  • Headaches
  • Neck, Back, and Shoulder Pain

For many of us, prolonged amounts of time in front of electronic screens is unavoidable. If you use these devices for work or leisure, steps can be taken to mitigate the effects of computer eye strain.

Relief from Computer Vision Syndrome with Our Eye Doctor

If our eye doctor diagnoses you with CVS, she will also discuss your options for treatment and help you adjust your surroundings to optimize the time which you spend in front of electronic screens, safeguarding your eyesight. We help our patients find relief from digital eye strain with following treatments and adjustments:

Corrective Lenses – Ensuring an up to date prescription will prevent you from straining your eyes any more than you absolutely must while viewing a computer screen.

Computer Vision Lenses – The copious amounts of blue light which electronic screens emit requires our eyes to filter it more than they do when taking in natural light. Special lenses do some of the work for you, filtering the blue light before it reaches your eyes.

Reduce Glare – Any light which reflects off of your screen can damage your eyes and lead to strain.

Display Adjustment – Your screen’s contrast and brightness should be set to a level comfortable to view within your environment.

Eye Breaks – Follow the 20-20-20 rule by looking away from your screen about every 20 minutes at an object at least 20 feet away for about 20 seconds. Do not forget to blink.

Ergonomic Workspace – Your computer screen should not be too high or too low.

Schedule an Eye Exam with Our Optometrist 

If you spend a considerable amount of time in front of electronic screens and experience some or all of the associated symptoms, then you might be suffering from CVS. To find out for certain and begin taking steps to alleviate the condition, we encourage you to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with our optometrist, Dr. Christine Best. Dr. Best will help you determine if your symptoms are due to digital eye strain, ruling out other possible conditions, and she will then help you establish a plan to manage your computer vision. To schedule an appointment, contact our office at (303) 254-4888 today.