Question:
I know this has probably been talked about on this site but is anyone experiencing vision problems in conjunction with thier computer use? i really think my vision problems are stemming from my computer use. ive heard of CVS (computer vision syndrome) but when i asked my eye doctor about it about 3 months ago when i went in for an eye exam, she didnt seem concerned and said that my tired, blurry, hard to focus eye problems were all normal and that she knew a lot of people who got this from computers. im on my computer all week. but her nonchalant brush off didnt make me feel any better. also she didnt offer any explanation or method of relieving my problems. when i scroll down the computer screen, it hurts my eyes and make it so i cant focus. my eyes get extremly fatigued. at my last eye exam about 3 months ago, my eye doc said i had 20/20 vision and that my eyes looked healthy. could she have missed something? i know that when you look at your computer, you blink less. this can cause dry eyes, (which i definilty have) which can cause a multitude of problems like blurred vision, trouble focusing, etc, etc. has anyone else had probems with their vison, has anyone talked to thier eye doctor about this?
Answer:
I too hate the phrase Computer Vision Syndrome because it makes it sound so lame. But I am living proof of the debilitating effects of looking at a computer all day. Unfortunately I am ahead of the science, just like chronic fatigue before it became a medical condition.
I've already been to a behavioral optometrist. She chastised me for not being more aware of the symptoms before it was "too late". She said she doubted vision therapy would help me because I was too far gone. But I swear the major symptoms came on all of a sudden, and I had little time to react. My days of staring at a computer (for most of the day) are over. I'm in the midst of a career change where the computer is not used as often.
Beemer: What a relief to find someone who uses an eye patch because of eye strain! You made my day (and year)... Please tell me more about the doctors and treatment (surgery) you've had. I've been told by American doctors that Lasik surgery will not help my condition. But at least one Asian Indian doctor said it might help. Seems like there is a lot of ignorance out there in the medical community about this condition.
Here is an important article on the future and politics of eye strain and video display terminals. Please read when you have the time:
To date little research has been commissioned into the effects of Eye Strain from VDT use due to insufficient funding. This is especially true of VDT manufacturers who are reluctant to provide funding; funding projects investigating the viability of an organizations own product is not within any business strategy. Businesses continue to adopt a reactive approach to these issues, this increases profit and protects their own interests, moral's and ethics have very little precedence. This situation probably sounds familiar - you only have to consider the contemporary issues surrounding the tobacco industry.
It is only recently with the explosion of the Internet that more and more information is becoming available from third parties and individuals about the inherent dangers of using these products; now commonplace within the home and workplace.
If you have been or are currently a sufferer of CVS, it maybe possible (depending on your country of residence) to claim damages from your employer. How this applies to usage in the home from Internet surfing, game playing and other recreational usage remains an un-contended issue.
In the longer term VDT manufacturer's may have to compensate individuals who have suffered either physically or mentally from using their products. Unfortunately the compensation will never equate to the losses incurred by manufacturers if they'd announced product health risks when introduced. Until that changes this approach will remain highly attractive to business.
Your probably wondering why has this surfaced now when VDT's have been around for 30 years?
Firstly Eye Strain itself is nothing new, it can be brought about by reading books or carrying out any kind of prolonged close-up visually demanding task. Certain events which have occurred since VDT's were introduced some 30 years ago may go some way in explaining why something so obvious has remained so well concealed.
During the first 20 years VDT's were initially introduced into the workplace, after much resistance from employees and Trade Unions. This alone would certainly be enough for Corporations, Government and VDT manufacturers to keep this issue concealed, especially as this form of Eye Strain is much more severe. This is mainly due to the poor quality of products being produced i.e. using glass instead of mesh screens.
You may recall during the 80's proclamations were made about the dangers of allowing children to sit in front of the TV or they would go "square eyed". This term actually equates to Eye Strain and indicates an awareness of the dangers from sitting in front of video display devices for prolonged periods. However no proclamation's were made about the dangers of sitting in front of a VDT even though the risks were potentially greater. When watching a television an individual tends to gaze rather than stare as you would with a VDU, this places higher demands on the eye muscles, TV's are also much larger.
There are very distinct differences between these products, firstly televisions are used predominantly in the home and VDT's in the workplace, although this is now beginning to change. Secondly with a television an individual can move away, however with a VDT you must remain in front of them. If they had chose to use the term Eye Strain in place of square eyed, the general public could have questioned why this did not apply to VDT's.
This would have arose during a time of recession from a large reduction in the manufacturing industry. There was however an upsurge in the service and IT sectors, these were labeled as the new economy. These new sectors reduced unemployment while the IT sector facilitated corporate emaciation, enabling improved efficiency and the ability to compete in the changing global economy. Any announcement during this time could have undermined this paradigm.
Today we have seen the introduction of the TFT VDT onto the market. The TFT technology is similar to that used in laptops, the concepts have been around for sometime. These VDT's are much softer on the eyes due to the material used i.e. mesh screen which eradicated most of the glare issues. Unfortunately these products are extremely expensive as VDT manufacturers wish to capitalize further on their previous product ranges and reap the benefits of targeting their new products at specialists and businesses who are willing to pay a premium price.
It comes as no surprise that VDT manufacturers make no promotion of the benefits to the eyes from using these products. They still proclaim, even today, their products have no effect on an individuals health.
In summary its probably fair to surmise that we have been used as human guinea pigs for these products. Whether they label it CVS, RSIE, Square Eyed or any other term, its still Eye Strain but with differing severity's.
Please note: The Website Administrator is not an Eye Care Professional or Medical Practitioner. The information contained within this Website is for information purposes only and the Administrator will not be held responsible for any loss or damages resulting from the use or misuse of this information.
