This is another pointless diagnosis of a cluster of issues centered on an activity. Instead of, you know, centered on the disease. Kind of like diagnosing bad software with "HeadUpButt Developer Syndrome". Cute, a cocktail party line, but not the same as medicine.
Computer Vision Syndrome
11–20 of 162 posts
Re: Computer Vision Syndrome
#12My retired optometrist friend recommended that I wear reading glasses with a very low power at all times while using the computer, and I do that now. They're .75x or 1x, I can't remember. I don't need them--nothing is blurry without them--but they help your lenses to relax by doing some of their work at close distances.
The condition he wants me to avoid is called nearpoint stress, but sounds very similar to me (a layperson). It culminates in your eyes lenses becoming "stuck," unable to fully relax to focus properly on things at a distance. I guess the reason is that your cilliary muscles (that alter the shape of the lens) become overworked to the point of a spasm.
One symptom of that is looking up from your computer and objects being blurry for a few seconds, but then coming into focus.
Re: Computer Vision Syndrome
#13This is another pointless diagnosis of a cluster of issues centered on an activity. Instead of, you know, centered on the disease. Kind of like diagnosing bad software with "HeadUpButt Developer Syndrome". Cute, a cocktail party line, but not the same as medicine.
It's not a disease, though.
It's a condition; one that results from a specific type of activity (extended close work, which is not what our eyes are intended to do).
Re: Computer Vision Syndrome
#14I have seen a few ophthalmologists seeking treatment for a condition resulting from computer use. I think CVS is a catch all that makes sense on the surface but doesn't really address the damage that has been done. There is some interesting research being done in this area, but it has taken a while for the eye health community to catch up.
My story goes back over 4 years ago, one day like the flick of a switch I could barely keep my eyes open. Now I live with it but it is extremely uncomfortable and distracting and I no longer hack on anything outside of work. My issue isn't so much dry eyes but strained and fatigued eyes. Imagine the most tired and strained eyes you've ever experienced. Multiply that by 10 and that is how my eyes feel starting from the moment I wake up. Luckily I still have 20/20.
Basically, let this be a warning not to take for granted your eye health.
Re: Computer Vision Syndrome
#15This is another pointless diagnosis of a cluster of issues centered on an activity. Instead of, you know, centered on the disease. Kind of like diagnosing bad software with "HeadUpButt Developer Syndrome". Cute, a cocktail party line, but not the same as medicine.
It's not a disease, though. It's a condition; one that results from a specific type of activity (extended close work, which is not what our eyes are intended to do).
Thanks; I agonized over what word to use. 'Condition' sounds right.
Re: Computer Vision Syndrome
#16My retired optometrist friend recommended that I wear reading glasses with a very low power at all times while using the computer, and I do that now. They're .75x or 1x, I can't remember. I don't need them--nothing is blurry without them--but they help your lenses to relax by doing some of their work at close distances. The condition he wants me to avoid is called nearpoint stress, but sounds very similar to me (a la…
My optometrist prescribed exactly the same thing for the same reason. I sometimes have trouble seeing in the distance because of too much computer/phone use, and your explanation is spot on what he told me.
Re: Computer Vision Syndrome
#17Anyone know of a break-taking app that watches your activity and can wait until you've lost focus on your work before reminding you to take a break? Something like the alarms that wake you up at the right point in your sleep cycle. It would probably need to have a cut-off eventually, but I'd hate to be interrupted in the middle of tracing some complex logic if there's a perfect stopping point 10 minutes later.
It's called a dog :)
Re: Computer Vision Syndrome
#18Anyone know of a break-taking app that watches your activity and can wait until you've lost focus on your work before reminding you to take a break? Something like the alarms that wake you up at the right point in your sleep cycle. It would probably need to have a cut-off eventually, but I'd hate to be interrupted in the middle of tracing some complex logic if there's a perfect stopping point 10 minutes later.
http://awaremac.com/
Not quite what you're asking but it tracks how long you've been working (or using keyboard/mouse) and simply displays that without interrupting you at any point. If it's an hour or more for me, when I happen to glance at it, I get up and take a walk or stretch.
Re: Computer Vision Syndrome
#19"He recommended I use a hot compress at least once a week for 10 minutes and to look away from the screen in a method called the 20-20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes take 20 seconds to look at an object at least 20 feet away and blink 20 times." Is there any evidence that this treatment actually works?
I can give only anecdotal evidence. I do this reasonably regularly. It's mainly to combat meibomian gland dysfunction and works by heating up the oils in and around the glands so that the dry build-up clears, and the glands can function a bit more normally. They should be releasing oil throughout the day to keep the surface of your eye from drying out.
I think you need to be careful not to overdo compresses, and associated massage, as the glands are also delicate and you can damage them, but for me it results in much more comfortable eyes and better vision when I do it semi regularly.
Re: Computer Vision Syndrome
#20My retired optometrist friend recommended that I wear reading glasses with a very low power at all times while using the computer, and I do that now. They're .75x or 1x, I can't remember. I don't need them--nothing is blurry without them--but they help your lenses to relax by doing some of their work at close distances. The condition he wants me to avoid is called nearpoint stress, but sounds very similar to me (a la…
I just wish local drugstores sold sub +1.00 reading glasses. I've only been able to find them online, so it becomes a game of buy +0.25, +0.50, and +0.75, and then go through the hassle of returning two of them (likely at a loss). Optometrists may carry them, but they're so much more expensive than anywhere else. Anyone know of a better solution to find the strength that's right for me?