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Computers have become an integral part of
everyone's life. They have made things so much fast and simple but have brought with them
new problems related to the eyes. These problems affect all those who spend a significant
time working on the computers everyday. However, these computer related eye problems are
mostly due to our own wrong habits. I call this cluster of problems e-Pain
(which may mean electronic / eye pain) which is also called Computer Vision
Syndrome.
What are the problems?
Pain
Redness
Watering
Headache
Fatigue
Irritability
Poor Concentration
Pain and eye strain being so common among the
computer users that it would be appropriate to call this cluster of computer related eye
problems: e-Pain.
What causes these problems?
An understanding of what causes these symptoms can
help us take appropriate preventive steps.
eyes@computer.pain
It is important to know that computer monitors do
not emit any harmful rays or radiations (monochrome or color). The causes of the trouble
are:
Constantly gazing at a near distance (at the
monitor)
Decreased rate of blinking
Convergence Fatigue
When we look at a near object both our eyes move
towards each other (converge) to fixate at the target. Prolonged viewing of the monitor at
close distance leads to fatigue of convergence and its weakness / insufficiency. This
consequently leads to eye strain, pain and headache.
Infrequent Blinking
Decreased rate of blinking while working on
computers leads to instability of the tear film of the eyes. This leads to feeling of
dryness, irritation, redness and a reflex watering from the eyes.
What is the solution?
There is no single magic remedy for this problem.
Following set of measures can be undertaken together to get relief:
1. Proper Visual Hygiene
Monitor should be placed about 2-3 feet from the
eyes (or at the farthest comfortable distance).
Do not gaze constantly at the monitor for long
duration. Take your eyes off the screen every 5-10 minutes.
Every half an hour or so close your eyes for 1-2
minutes to give them rest.
Every hour or so take a 5 minutes break (go for a
stroll or run some errand).
Make a conscious effort to blink more frequently.
Avoid sitting in front of an air conditioner facing its air draft while working on
computer.
2. Convergence Exercises
Regular eye exercise can help prevent the problems
caused by working on comuters or even heavy reading or writing work. These exercises are
advised for all copmuter professionals, students, office workers, etc.
Sit on a chair upright and look at a far off
samll object.
Then hold out a pen at level with your eyes at an
arm's lenght and look at its tip.
Gradually bring the pen close to your eyes to a
point where you feel a mild strain on your eyes. The tip of the pen should remain clear
and single in appearance. Hold the pen in this position for
about half a minute and then again gradually take it back to an arms length. Hold it here
again for about half a minute, and then again bring the pen close to your eyes.
Repeat above step 10 times and then again look
the far off small object. Again repeat the whole sequence.
In the begining this exercise should be done for
5-10 minutes just once a day in the morning at a time when you are fresh and rested. After
one week it should be increased to twice daily and after two weeks thrice a day. Avoid
doing the exercise when you are tired or are having pain in eyes or headache. In the
initial period when you begin exercising the pain in the eyes and headache may increase,
but this should not discourage you. As you continue the exercise you will gradually feel
relief from the sypmtoms over 2-3 weeks.
Continue the excercise for 2 months to build good
eye muscle strength and reserves power.
3. Lubricant Eye Drops
Lubricant eye drops instilled 3-4 times a day help
in soothing the eyes and relieving irritation and redness. Many preparations are available
in the market e.g. Tears Plus, Hypotears Plus, Moss, Moisol, etc. Although allergy or
reactions to these eye drops are uncommon yet one should be careful in using them, and if
they cause any irritation, redness or swelling of the eyes they should be immediately
discontinued. It is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist before using any eye
medicines.
Anti-glare glasses do not provide any
relief.
I hope that this article will help you reap the
benefit of e-Commerce, and not suffer the misery of e-Pain.
Author - Dr. Sanjay Dhawan
Last Update -
30 June, 2007 |
