Computer Vision Syndrome: How Do Screens Affect Our Eyes?

Digital eye strain is also known as Computer Vision Syndrome. The overuse of screens creates eye and vision problems that over time make professional and everyday activities difficult. Find out more about this increasingly common problem in today’s article. 

The  Computer Vision Syndrome  or digital eye strain is due to the excessive use of display screen equipment. Cell phones, computers, televisions or tablets, as well as other devices, can have serious consequences for the eyes. In the near future, this list will be expanded to include additional devices such as virtual reality glasses.

Eye fatigue is caused by the overexertion to which our visual organs are forced. This particularly affects the eye muscles, which are responsible for adjusting the focus on objects that are near or far away.

Long-term use of display devices forces the eyes to  focus on a very short distance for a long time. If you don’t regularly take your eyes off the screen to focus on distant goals, the overexertion will lead to fatigue and other symptoms.

If the digital eye strain is too great, it is difficult to focus objects properly. The  computer vision syndrome  has the consequence that the eyesight decreases at close distances. As a result, you get into a vicious circle, because the eye fatigue caused by the constant close-up mode also leads to other complaints such as dry eyes and itching.

Digital eye strain has increased significantly in recent years. It is estimated that almost everyone who spends more than three hours in front of a screen suffers from it. 

In a short time, myopia has exploded in children and adolescents. Australian researchers estimate that by 2020 the global number of myopic people will grow to around 2.5 billion. By 2050 it should even be over 4.7 billion. The 2012 Gutenberg Health Study found that 46 percent of 25-year-olds suffer from myopia. A total of 35% of Germans are affected.

So the number of people who suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome is constantly increasing. As a result, more and more people are affected by myopia.

Computer vision syndrome: symptoms

Four signs are particularly characteristic of excessive digital eye strain. Most of the time, all of these symptoms occur at the same time:

• Itching in the eyes:  This creates the need to rub your tired eyes. Some feel like they have sand between their eyelids and eyes. Others, on the other hand, perceive the symptoms as if small needles were piercing from the inside. The itching causes those affected to rub their eyes, which can also lead to redness and swelling.
• Palpebral edema: rubbing or digitally caused eye fatigue causes the eyelids to swell. In addition to the palpebral edema, the eyes will redden and tear. This clinical picture differs from bacterial conjunctivitis because there is no pus and no sleeping sand (eye secretion).

• Headache:  The poor accommodation of the eye due to fatigue can also lead to headaches. In general, the pain occurs in the area behind the eyes and calms down as you relax your gaze, move away from the screen, or try to focus on distant objects.
• Blurred vision:  Due to impaired accommodation of the eye, palpebral edema and watery eyes, those affected lose visual acuity. In this case, it is not about myopia or other eye diseases, but about an intensely blurred vision after several hours in front of the screen.

The effect of the blue light

Electronic device screens emit blue light. This blue light is one of the main factors for computer vision syndrome and digital eye fatigue. The retina in particular suffers greatly from this light.

In the spectrum of blue light there is also the blue-violet light, which is emitted by LED screens and can damage the structure of the eyes. It has been found that the retina ages faster when exposed to this light. 

On the other hand, blue-turquoise light is also emitted, but the length wave of this light is said to be less harmful to the eyes and could even have advantages in maintaining the wake-sleep rhythm.

To avoid the harmful effects of blue light, there are special blue light filters for screens. Yellow filters are most often used, which only allow a certain wavelength of light to pass. In particular,  gamers who spend a  long time playing video games on screens use these filters, especially those who take part in long night-time competitions.

Computer Vision Syndrome: Prevention

There are several things you can do to prevent digital eye fatigue. These include, for example, the following:

• Take regular breaks: If you work at the computer for long periods of time, you should always take breaks  and do other things briefly in between to relax your eyes.
• Adjust the ambient light:  The eyes should not be strained by too strong or too weak a light. Correct and, if possible, natural lighting is essential to protect the eyes.
• Look into the distance:  apply the 20-20-20 rule! This means that after 20 minutes on the screen, you will be looking approximately 20 feet into the distance for 20 seconds. By changing the focus, the eye can relax.
• Cold Eye Massage:  Massage your eyes gently when you feel the first signs of digital fatigue. The best way to do this is to use a cold gel that you keep in the refrigerator.

• Reduce the use of on-screen devices:  This is the single most important thing you should take to heart! Make sure to reduce the amount of time you spend in front of the screen. Even if your job forces you to spend a long time in front of the computer, you can at least keep screen time as short as possible at home.