Computer Vision Syndrome Symptoms: May You Have It?

Because of the today’s technology, many people use devices like computer, tablet and smartphone frequently. All problems like blurry vision, headache, eye burning and eye fatigue emerged from this use can be expressed as computer vision syndrome altogether. If you also use computer, tablet or smartphone frequently, you may have this syndrome. The easiest way to figure this out is to make observation. Well, what are the symptoms of computer vision syndrome? You can find the answer to this question and all other details about the topic in our article.

It is a mistake to think that eye fatigue and computer vision syndrome can be seen only among adults. The main thing here is duration of the time spent while being exposed to computer, tablet and smartphone screens. When the fact that children spend long time in front of these screens is considered, don’t forget that your children may also have these symptoms.

Why Does Computer Vision Syndrome Occur?

The main reason why computer vision syndrome occurs is the fact that our eyes and brain react characters and visuals on a screen different than the ones on paper. Boundaries of characters on a paper are clear and definite, all characters have the same contrast. Therefore, our eyes and brain struggles much less when they are focused on papers. However, since characters on screens have different clearness and contrasts, our eyes and brain struggles more while trying to focus. Consequently, computer vision syndrome symptoms may show up.

Images on a computer screen have specific structures. Images consist of small dots called pixels, which are bright at center and which have descending density through edges. This situation makes it difficult for our eyes to focus images on a computer screen. Our eyes, on the other hand, switch to a lower focus level described as RPA (Resting Point of Accommodation) after a while [1].

After RPA, our eyes struggle to focus on a screen again. When this situation repeats again and again in front of a computer screen, eye fatigue and other computer vision syndromes occur after some time.

8 Major Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome

If you spend too much time with devices like computer, tablet and smartphone, that means you are under computer vision syndrome risk. In order to figure it out, you can observe if you have computer vision syndrome symptoms or not. Major symptoms are given below:

1. Headache

Being exposed to blue light constantly may trigger headache. Firstly, it should be noted that such situation disturbs sleep pattern. Disturbed sleep pattern may cause stress and may result in not being able to focus in time. After this point, you will not be able to focus on what you see on a screen and you will start to impose burden on your mind unnecessarily. This will result in headache. In fact, headache you may have can be so severe that it prevents you from sleeping. And, it may go on for a while.

2. Eye Twitching

Characteristics of images on a computer screen will cause that you constantly switch between focusing and RPA. Although you are not aware, your eye muscles will contract and relax constantly because of this. After some time, your eye muscles will be tired and eye twitching will occur. In spite of the fact that eye twitching is one of the computer vision syndrome symptoms, it is not noticed by people most of the time. People who experience eye twitching generally relate it with some other things.

3. Blurry Vision

Eye fatigue due to blue light after some time may affect your sight. Depending on the time spent in front of a screen, you may experience difficulties in seeing clearly and start seeing blurry. This situation is generally temporary and does not last long. However, blurry vision is among the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. When you experience such a situation, you should think that you may have this syndrome in fact and focus on suitable solutions.

4. Losing Focus

Lost focus is one of the most frequently seen symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Due to blue light effect described above in general, eyes come and go between RPA and focusing states. This situation may result in losing focus after a while.

5. Eye Redness

Blue light tires your eyes in time and your eyes will react in different ways. Redness is one of such reactions. Redness occurred in eyes without any other health problem should make you think of computer vision syndrome.

6. Double Vision

Double vision is among computer vision syndrome symptoms and generally it lasts short time. It is a problem due to eye fatigue and not being able to focus.

7. Eye Burning

Looking at a screen constantly may cause eye burning. You feel this especially when you close your eyes. Sometimes, it may be so severe that it prevents you from sleeping.

8. Eye Fatigue

When your eyes are exposed to screen for a long time, eye fatigue occurs after a while. Being one of the most important symptoms of the syndrome, this situation goes away when you rest your eyes. However, constant repetition may cause permanent defects in visual capabilities.

Computer vision syndrome symptoms mentioned above may exist for you or one of your family members. When you notice any of these symptoms, you need to think of the syndrome and evaluate suitable solutions.

What to Do?

If you have computer vision syndrome symptoms, you need to consult an ophthalmologist first. During the consultation, some tests will be conducted by your doctor. Different treatments may be applied depending on test results and problems determined. Depending on your overall eye health status, your doctor may suggest computer glasses.

These glasses block blue light emitted by computer screens and protect your eyes. Additionally, your work efficiency is also increased. Depending on your problem, different treatments may be applied by your doctor.

Do Computer Glasses Work?

Computer glasses fundamentally blocks blue light. With this feature, they provide different benefits to your eyes. Using computer glasses regularly result in decreased focus problems. This way, your eye health is preserved. Furthermore, computer glasses are also effective against progressive myopia that can result from focusing fatigue. People who use computers for long times can prefer blue-light blocking glasses.

Computer glasses can also be used together with contact lenses. They can be bought without any prescription, but of course it is better to use them based on a doctor’s suggestion. Regular use prevents computer vision symptoms and in time, these symptoms will fade away.