An Optometrist Explains Digital Eye Strain And What To Do

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many more people working from home on digital devices. This means more screen time and less mobility. Digital eye strain is increasingly common. Unfortunately, it can happen at any age. It also has long-term health and productivity consequences, if not addressed.  Edna Martin, Optometrist.Dip. Optom (SA) FOASA MCOptom (UK) CAS (USA) explains.

Dry eyes, blurred vision?

When you work at a computer for any length of time, it’s common to experience digital eye strain. This includes blurred vision, red eyes, and other symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS).  It occurs as a result of the visual demands of computer work, which is unlike those associated with most other activities.

If you’re under age 40, eye strain or blurred vision during computer work may be due to an inability of your eyes to remain accurately focused on your screen. It could also be because your eyes have trouble changing focus from your keyboard to your screen and back again for prolonged periods. These focusing problems often are associated with CVS.

If you’re over age 40, the problem may be due to the onset of presbyopia. This is the normal age-related loss of near-focusing ability. This, too, can cause CVS symptoms.

Digital eye strain and vision problems

What can you do? Well for starters, have a comprehensive eye exam to rule out vision problems and update your eyeglasses prescription. Studies like this one published by Optometry have shown that even small inaccuracies in your prescription lenses can contribute to computer vision problems.

Screen time has increased substantially across all age groups and it is not healthy!

Researchers noted that digital device usage has increased substantially in recent years across all age groups.  The study showed that 50% or more of computer users are suffering from digital eye strain.

Symptoms fall into two main categories.

1. Those linked to accommodative or binocular vision stress.
2.  External symptoms linked to dry eye. Although symptoms are typically transient, they may be frequent and persistent. They may also have an economic impact when vocational computer users are affected.

What if you don’t wear glasses?

If you don’t need prescription eyewear for most tasks, and you continue to experience eye discomfort during computer work, consider purchasing customized blue light computer glasses. These special-purpose glasses are prescribed specifically to reduce eye strain. They will give you the most comfortable vision possible at your computer.

What is the difference between computer glasses and others?

Computer glasses differ from regular eyeglasses or reading glasses in a number of ways to optimize your eyesight when viewing your computer screen.

Computer screens are usually positioned 20 to 26 inches from the user’s eyes. This is considered the intermediate zone of vision.  It’s closer than driving (“distance”) vision, but farther away than reading (“near”) vision.

Children and young adults who need prescription eyeglasses are usually prescribed single-vision lenses. These lenses correct the wearer’s nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism. The shape of the lens inside the eye automatically adjusts to provide the extra magnifying power required for computer vision and near vision.

Age-related vision loss and computers

A person’s close-up vision becomes less clear due to presbyopia after age 40. This age-related loss of natural focusing power affects reading and seeing a smartphone or computer vision clearly and comfortably. Bifocals can provide clear distance and near vision. However, intermediate vision (needed for computer use and seeing your smartphone) often remains a problem. And progressive lenses and trifocals, though they offer some help for intermediate vision, often don’t have a large enough intermediate zone for comfortable computer work.

Do computer glasses really work?

Without computer eyeglasses, many computer users often end up with blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches. This is the hallmark symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Worse still, many people try to compensate for their blurred vision by leaning forward or by tipping their head to look through the bottom portion of their glasses.

Both of these actions can result in a sore neck, sore shoulders, and a sore back.

Though they are sometimes called “computer reading glasses,” it’s best to call eyewear designed specifically for computer use “computer glasses” or “computer eyeglasses” to distinguish them from conventional reading glasses.

Vision correction

Generally, computer glasses have about 60% of the magnifying power of reading glasses. But optimal magnification depends on how far you prefer to sit from your computer screen and how close you like to hold your digital devices.

Computer glasses should also accurately correct any astigmatism you might have, and precise measurements should be taken to ensure the optical center of each lens is directly in front of your pupils when you are using your preferred working distance.

For these reasons, computer glasses should be customized to your individual needs. Using weaker, non-prescription reading glasses for computer use and seeing your digital devices typically won’t provide the accurate vision correction you need for sustained clarity and comfort.

Increased productivity

Computer glasses give the optimum lens power to view your computer screen right where you need it for a clear, wide field of view without the need for excessive focusing effort or unhealthy postures. University research also shows custom computer eyewear can significantly increase worker productivity.

Many special-purpose lens designs work well for computer glasses — whether you use a computer primarily for working or gaming. Because these lenses are prescribed specifically for computer use, they are not suitable for driving or general purpose wear.

The simplest computer glasses have single-vision lenses with a modified lens power prescribed to provide the most comfortable vision at the user’s computer screen. This lens power relaxes the amount of accommodation required to keep objects in focus at the distance from the computer screen and provides the largest field of view.

What type of computer glasses will you need?

Single-vision computer glasses reduce the risk of digital eye strain, blurred vision, and unnatural posture that can cause neck and back pain, and they can be used comfortably by young and old computer users alike.

Progressive lens: Another popular lens design for computer glasses is the occupational progressive lens — a no-line multifocal that corrects near, intermediate, and, up to a point, distance vision.

Occupational progressive lenses have a larger intermediate zone than regular progressive lenses for more comfortable vision at the computer. But this leaves less lens area for distance vision, so these lenses are not recommended for driving or other significant distance vision tasks.

Bifocal and trifocal lenses: Other lenses used for computer glasses include occupational bifocal and trifocal lenses. These lined multifocal lenses have larger zones for intermediate and near vision than regular bifocals and trifocals, and the position of the intermediate and near zones can be customized for your particular computer vision needs.

The bottom line

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our health in many ways. A more sedentary lifestyle with successive lockdowns, more virtual working, and screen time will impact your long-term eye health. Do not underestimate the impact of digital eye strain. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist can help you decide which lens design will best suit your needs for computer glasses. Always discuss and make decisions about your eye care based upon a formal appointment with your optician or doctor.

References:

Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration

Main photo credit by Paige Cody on Unsplash

About the author

Edna Martin,  Dip. Optom (SA) FOASA MCOptom (UK) CAS (USA) is the owner of Kobrin and Martin Optometrists. Edna is a passionate and experienced optometrist based in Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa. She has specialist eye health qualifications that are globally recognised.  You can read more of Edna’s blogs on her website Kobrin and Martin.