Today, millions of people all over the world are affected by Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS without them realizing it. I am a full time work at home person who spends more than 10 hours a day on my PC. Although some people claim that there is no scientific evidence that computer screens are harmful to the eyes, experts believe that anyone who stares at a computer monitor for more than two hours a day is likely to experience CVS or Computer Vision Syndrome to some extent. I think I do experience it sometimes. So, if you spend more than 2 hours a day on your computer its time to have a look at your eyes.

What Causes CVS Symptoms ?

1. Image Clarity: Lack of image clarity often makes a computer user to stare more intensely in an effort to focus.

2. Glare: Glare from reflections and lights on computer screens from overhead lights or direct light coming through windows and bouncing off the screens tires the eyes.

3. Blink: Infrequent blinking causes the tear film in our eyes to evaporate. While a person blinks 15 times per minute, the blink rate comes down to 5 times in a minute when working on a computer because of continuosly staring at the screen. Blinking is important for spreading of tears to form an even film on the eye surface. Inadequate blinking causes the eyes to become dry and irritated.

What can be Done to Reduce Computer Vision Syndrome ?

Anyone who has the symptoms or suspects of CVS should have a thorough eye check with an eye specialist. Apart from this a few precautions could reduce the risk of CVS.

1. Screen Distance :Ideally the monitor should be at a distance of 16-30 inches from the eyes depending on the size of your screen. Also adjust the height of the computer table or the chair, so that the middle of the screen is 15-20 degrees below eye level. Always try to use an ergonomic chair as it helps in reducing neck and back pains in users.

2. Avoid Air Drafts: Avoid sitting in front of a pedestal/table fan or an airconditioner facing its air draft while working on a computer.

3. Reducing Glare: Position your computer screen so that the windows are to the side rather than the back or front. Using glare filter screens on monitors are helpful.

4. Blink More: Make a conscious effort to blink more often. Try to blinkevery time you make a click with the mouse or every time you hit "ENTER!. Alternately you could try the suggested formula 20:20:20. That is, every 20 minutes : for 20 seconds : blink 20 times.

5. Take A Break: Take a 5 minute break for every thirty munutes of work on your computer. This can reduce eye fatigue and get you refreshed.

Eye Care Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies to improve vision include herbs that strengthen the small capillaries around the eyes and increase circulation; ginkgo, ginger and bilberry are most commonly used in herbal teas.

~ Compresses and poultices are another good method to use for tired, aching eyes. Green tea, chamomile, and crushed apples are are good choices. Cool cucumber slices are still the number one home remedy to pamper sore eyes. Eyebright still remains the herb of choice for eyewashes.

~ Exercise you eyes at frequent intervals. Eye exercise is simple. All you need to do is just blink several times, then close your eyes and role them in clockwise and anti clockwise direction. While doing this, inhale and exhale slowly and open your eyes slowly after doing this. 

~ Rub your palms against each other till them become warm. Cover your eyes with your warm palms for about a minute. Palming is another great way to relax and soothe your eyes.

~ Splashing water on you face during breaks can keep you refreshed. This also helps in cooling your eyes.

~ A few minutes of walk during breaks will refresh your body and mind. It is also good for your eyes as walking increases blood supply to your eyes.

~ Take 9-10 petals of fresh rose, mix it with raspberry leaves, and put this in a glass of water. Allow it to stand for few hours and then wash your eyes with it. This gives fast relief to the day-long tiring eyes.

Massage Therapy to Relieve Tired Eyes

Close your eyes. Place your thumbs under your eyebrows, starting at the inside corner of each eye socket. Press and gently move the thumbs in tiny circles, working slowly towards the outsides of your eyebrows and continuing this movement all around your eyes, ending back at the bridge of your nose.

Repeat this several times, spending a little extra time at the indentation of the inner eye socket, where the bridge of the nose meets the ridge of the eyebrows - an especially tender point on many people.

Massage Therapy to Ease Headaches and Tension

Start by placing your thumbs on your cheekbones close to your ears, and use your fingertips to gently apply pressure and rub the temples (the soft spot between the corner of your eye and your ear).
Using very firm pressure and a tiny circular motion, gradually move your fingers up along your hairline until they meet in the middle of your forehead, massaging your entire forehead and scalp as you inch along.

These are the basic things to do. But.......

If you experience any of the following severly do not hesitate to consult your ophthalmologist: for you may be a victim of Computer Vision Syndrome !

Burning eyes, double vision, eye fatigue or tiredness, blurry distance vision when looking up from the monitor, dry, tired, or sore eyes, when you need to squint to focus on the screen, neck, shoulder, or back pain, when it seems that thr letters on the screen run together,headaches during or after working at the computer, when driving or during night vision is worse after using a computer, when you see "halos" around objects on the screen, and when you need to interrupt work frequently to rest eye.

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