Computer Screens And Your Eyes.

Computer screens have become an essential part of our daily lives. For many of us, it has even become our livelihood. Spending long hours on a computer often leads to sore, tired, burning or blurry eyes – a condition commonly referred to as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. In this section we will discuss and debunk a few myths about this condition and give you all the information you need to manage your screens effectively.

So, first thing’s first: what is digital eye strain?

Also called computer vision syndrome, it is a group of symptoms that are caused by prolonged screen use. These include tired or “heavy” eyes, blurry vision (especially later in the day), headaches, burning or dry eyes, neck and shoulder discomfort and difficulty focusing from your screen to distance. Anyone using a computer can experience these symptoms – especially office workers, students, gamers and those working from home.

Why are screens so demanding on your eyes?

A common myth is that computer screens damage your eyes. Screens do not cause permanent ocular damage, but they do make your visual system work harder than it was designed to, which leads to fatigue and discomfort.

When you look at something closer to you, three systems in the eye allow you to do so. Accommodation, convergence and pupil constriction.

Accommodation involves internal eye muscles contracting and actively acting upon the lens of the eye to keep near objects clear. When these muscles stay contracted for long periods it causes eye fatigue and temporary blur which is especially noticeable when looking away from your screen to distance.

Convergence is the outer eye (extraocular) muscles of both eyes working together to turn the eyes inward, so that they align at the near target to maintain single vision. As with accommodation, muscles drive this system and when they are contracted for long periods without rest it leads to eye strain, headaches and eyes feeling heavy.

Pupil constriction is an autonomic reflex process where they iris (coloured part) of the eye constricts to make the pupil smaller, and we cannot consciously control this system.

Concentrating on computer screens also reduces our blink rate, which destabilises the tear film. The tear film keeps the surface of the eye healthy and moist, and when it is disrupted, it causes dryness, burning and ocular irritation.

Blue light

Blue light is often blamed for eye strain, but the situation is more balanced. Blue light from a computer screen does not cause permanent eye damage and does not cause eye fatigue in of itself. It can however increase glare and visual discomfort in some people. Blue light also affects your sleep cycle, especially when used late at night.

Tips to reduce eye strain

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule: when working on the computer, every 20 minutes look 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds.
• Keep your screens an arm’s length (about 40cm) away from your eyes.
• Make a conscious effort to blink.
• Use lubricating eye drops if recommended by your optometrist.
• Try to avoid sitting directly underneath air conditioning.

The takeaway

Digital eye strain is extremely common, but it is also highly treatable. With the right visual correction and a few habit changes you can experience significant improvement.

So if your eyes feel very tired at the end of the day, or if you suffer from any of the symptoms discussed above, it’s worth having them checked. Our eyes do a lot for us – a little support goes a long way.