If your job requires you to work long hours on a computer, there are chances that you are developing Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). A study done by Eye Hospital suggests that Indian techies are most hit by the CVS.
Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital conducted a study on professionals in the age group of 22 to 40 years. The study revealed that nearly 50-60% of professionals suffer from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), which a common cause behind the dry eye syndrome. MGD is present in 20% of the general population in India.
The study was conducted for 12 months on a group of 800 working professionals, most of them were techies that use computers for over thirty hours a week. The eye hospital ran several tests on this closed group to understand the effect of daily exposure to digital screens.
Computer Vision Syndrome is also known as Digital Eye Strain. The group of eye and vision-related problems are a result of prolonged usage of a computer, tablet, e-reader and mobile phones. Professionals that extensively use the computer screens often experience eye discomfort and vision problems. The level of discomfort further increases with the amount of digital screen use.
CVS is not limited to just those that work on the computer all day but also excessive mobile phone users. Screens have become such a significant part of our daily lives that average digital user spends at least a few hours daily looking at a screen. 28% of the global population spends 10 or more hours in front of some sort of a digital display.
Those suffering from Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is observed in people that are glued to computer screens for long hours. Over time meibomian glands that produce tears get affected, leading to dryness in eyes. Those suffering from MGD show symptoms such as fatigue, irritation in the eyes, blurred vision, burning sensation, red eyes, excessive tears and difficulty in changing focus.
There are some simple tips that you can follow to minimize the impact of computer vision syndrome. If you get into a habit of frequent blinking, it can help in washing eyes in naturally therapeutic tears. The 20-minutes rule can further help in getting an instant relief. You need to ensure that your workplace has a decent amount of natural light. Good lighting is not just flattering but it’s also healthy for your eyes.