Computer can strain your eyes, use glasses .

Do you sit in front of the computer for more than eight hours a day? Do you get headaches after working on your computer? If yes, experts say you may be suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome – a condition, they say, can lead to partial loss of eyesight and other eye problems.

Many businesses have gone from analogue to digital platforms; hence, more people spend time on their digital screens to earn a living.

Eye specialists warn that more people would suffer vision problems than before due to the increase in computer-related jobs.

According to British-trained ophthalmologist, Dr. Adeniyi Toba, many adults are already suffering from what he describes as CVS or digital eyestrain, a condition that could predispose you to frequent headaches, migraines and blurred vision.

Toba says, “If you get frequent headaches after work, then you may be suffering from digital eye strain. It is actually the most common injury that people who have deskwork suffer most, and that is not surprising when you think about it. People with desk job often spend far more than six hours at a time focused on a computer screen.

“We also tend to watch TV or spend time looking at our smart phones or tablets when we are not at our desks. All of that screen time is hard on our eyes! Hardly do people allow the eye to focus on anything for more than 30 minutes but a digital screen.”

What makes digital screens so bad for health? Experts say those that spend more than two hours in front of digital devices should be prepared to experience dry eyes, blurred vision, irritation such as eye fatigue, head ache and back ache.

“Over-use of digital devices in this case, anything more than three hours, your eye keeps focusing and repositioning to process the digital images, graphics and texts. These digital texts are created with thousands of pixels, and these flashes are shocking on the eye nerves, stressing the eye tissues. This condition is called pixilation.

“Also, when you sit at a screen, you do not blink as often as you should. This is not good; the average individual blinks 18 times per minute. This is to ensure that the eye is not dry. But when you blink just five times, it means your eyes will not get the moisture it needs. This condition is called dry eyes. It is not curable so it is better not to even have it. You can just use reading glasses after sitting at the computer for more than three hours to protect your eye.”

Experts note that pixilation and dry eyes could lead to blindness or loss of partial vision as one grows older.

The simplest thing would be to spend less time looking at digital screens, but not many people can afford to reduce the hours they spend working with these devices, especially those whose living depends on it.

However, there are simple work-related ways you can protect your eye, here are some:

Drink, at least, eight glasses of water a day to ensure that there is enough water to moisturise the eye and avoid dry eye syndrome.

The best way to prevent eyestrain is not to use them as much. Luckily, your eyes use more than one set of muscles. That means, you can relax one set while using another.

If you are at your computer, look out the window for a minute. If you are driving, check your speedometer every so often.

Reduce glare

Reducing glare will dramatically reduce the strain on your eyes. Use non-reflective interfaces whenever possible. For instance, reading from paper instead of a computer screen. When you have to use a screen, make sure it is at a 90 degree angle from any direct light source.

Use indirect or reflective lighting whenever possible.

Try switching your monitor or TV to a flat screen technology. They are not as reflective.

Use anti-glare technology. Use an anti-glare filter on monitors. Use anti-glare glasses when working on your laptop.

Adjust contrast

Ensure there is good contrast with what you are looking at but reduce contrast for periphery. More contrast makes edges more discernible so the eyes do not have to focus as much. Too much contrast with the surrounding area will cause strain through your peripheral vision.

Keep overall lighting levels at a moderate level so there is good contrast around you, but glare does not become a problem. Use task lighting to aid eyesight at specific tasks.

Adjust the contrast setting on monitors and screens to the best effect.

Use glasses or sunglasses with polarised lenses as they increase contrast and cut down on glare.

Adjust colour

Use full spectrum lighting. Lighting, like sunlight that covers the visual spectrum makes things easier to see.

Adjust the colour setting on monitors and screens. Some even allow you to adjust the colour temperature.

Use a combination of florescent and incandescent lighting. Use full spectrum florescent bulbs.

Strengthen your eyes

Eyestrain is actually the strain of the muscles controlling the eyes. Strengthening these muscles with a series of eye exercises will go a long way to preventing eye strain.

Finally, for every 20 minutes you spend in front of your computer; take 20 seconds to look at something that is 20 metres away for you.