Understanding Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) Dynamics

Ever wondered why your eyes feel strained and tired after a long day of screen time?

DES

You might be experiencing Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) or Visual Fatigue (VF) or Digital eye strain (DES), a condition that affects millions in tech-driven world.

CVS is a group term which refers to eye, visual and muscular problems due to prolong or excessive screen time on visual display units. It’s one of the major public health problems leading to increased error rate, impaired visual abilities, reduced productivity, and low job satisfaction. [3] The use of digital devices boosted after the COVD-19 with nearly 45 million individuals spending hours in front of computer screen. The prevalence of CVS varies significantly ranging from 12.1% to 94.8% in the pediatric population and 35.2% to 97.3% in the adult population. Studies indicate that women, university students, individuals from Asia and Africa, and contact lens wearers are affected more. [1]

Symptoms of CVS

Symptoms of CVS

Symptoms of CVS can be mainly divided into 3 types: Visual symptoms: Blur vision, eye

strain, visual fatigue, and double

vision. Ocular symptoms: Dry eye, redness,

burning sensation, sensitivity to light

and glare, excessive tearing and

irritation. Extraocular symptoms: Headache and shoulder, neck, and back pain. [2 and 3]

Factors influencing these symptoms include environmental conditions, reduced blink rate, prolonged screen exposure, gender, age, ocular conditions, cosmetics, medications and systemic diseases. [2]

Impact of Computer Use on Children

A child playing computer game

The American Optometric Association highlights 3 factors affecting children's vision due to computer use: Children often perform tasks on computers for extended periods without breaks, leading to CVS. Children may not recognize vision problems and assume their vision is normal, necessitating parental monitoring. Computer stations designed for adults don't suit children. Screens should be viewed slightly downward at a 15° angle. [4]

Factors contributing to CVS

The major contributors to CVS are dry eye, lighting, glare, display quality, radiation and positioning of computer screen. [3 and 4]

• Personal factor

1. Improper sitting posture

2. Improper viewing distance and angle

3. Insufficient working procedures

4. Ocular and Medical diseases

5. Ageing

• Environmental factor

1. Poor lighting and contrast in room

2. Imbalance of light between computer screen and surrounding

3. Improper workstations

• Computer factor

1. Poor resolution and contrast of screen

2. Excessive screen brightness

3. Glare from the display

4. Slow refresh rate

Prevention and Treatment of CVS

Treatment of CVS needs both ocular therapy as well as work place adjustments. The treatment plan includes:

Correct sitting posture while working in desktop

• Distance from the screen should be adjusted properly with better adjustment of the image size and height of the seat.

- It’s recommended that the eyes should be about 35-40 inches from the screen and screen should be placed 10-20 degrees below or the middle of the screen 5-6 inches below eye level.

- Screen brightness and contrast should be adjusted to provide balance with room lighting.

- Proper workstation adjustment can alleviate musculoskeletal problems related to head and eye postures.

• Anti-glare lenses would also help alleviate visual symptoms

• Taking frequent short breaks from continuous screen time can relax accommodative system and prevent eyes from ocular strain and visual fatigue.

Preventive measures for CVS

References:

1. Ccami-Bernal F, Soriano-Moreno DR, Romero-Robles MA, Barriga-Chambi F, Tuco KG, Castro-Diaz SD, Nuñez Lupaca JN, Pacheco-Mendoza J, Galvez-Olortegui T, Benites-Zapata VA. Prevalence of computer vision syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Optom. 2024 Jan-Mar;17(1):100482. doi: 10.1016/j.optom.2023.100482. Epub 2023 Oct 30. PMID: 37866176; PMCID: PMC10785422.

2. Alamri A, Amer KA, Aldosari AA, Althubait BMS, Alqahtani MS, Al Mudawi AAM, Al Mudawi BAM, Alqahtani FAM, Alhamoud NSY. Computer vision syndrome: Symptoms, risk factors, and practices. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 Sep;11(9):5110-5115. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1627_21. Epub 2022 Oct 14. PMID: 36505560; PMCID: PMC9730965.

3. Anbesu EW, Lema AK. Prevalence of computer vision syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2023 Jan 31;13(1):1801. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-28750-6. PMID: 36720986; PMCID: PMC9888747.

4. Wimalasundera, Saman. (2009). Computer vision syndrome. Galle Medical Journal. 11. 10.4038/gmj.v11i1.1115.