Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms and DiagnosisFinding ReliefWhat Else It Might BeReducing Screen Time
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Finding Relief
What Else It Might Be
Reducing Screen Time
Computer vision syndrome is widespread. Worldwide, around 60 million people experience this condition.
This article will teach you the telltale signs of computer vision syndrome, ways to relieve your eyes, tips for reducing screen time, and more.
Dmitry Marchenko / EyeEm / Getty Images
How to Tell If You Have Computer Vision Syndrome
If you notice these symptoms, ask yourself how frequent and intense they are. Having a total of six symptoms may mean you have computer vision syndrome, especially if they are more than simply mild.
Those who suspect they have computer vision syndrome should visit an eye doctor, such as an ophthalmologist, to confirm a diagnosis. Your eye doctor will take a thorough history and perform acomprehensive eye examto determine if anything else may be contributing to your symptoms.
Part of the exam will involve testing your depth perception and binocular vision (seeing with two eyes together). Your provider will also do a dilated exam, widening your pupils with eye drops to look at the back of the eye, making sure there are no eye disease factors there.
How Long CVS Symptoms Last
While computer vision syndrome symptoms can be uncomfortable, fortunately, the sensation usually subsides once you step away from your screens for a few hours. But if you continue to power through without giving your eyes a break, repeated eyestrain can cause reduced visual acuity even after stepping away from the screen, and this symptom may worsen over time.
Ways to Relieve Computer Vision Syndrome
Making some changes to your environment can help with eyestrain. Here are some steps you can take:
Other measures may be less helpful. While you may have heard about glasses that block outblue light from screens, which has been blamed for digital eye syndrome, there’s no scientific evidence that blue light damages the eyes. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, research indicates thatblue-light-blocking glassesdon’t help ease computer vision syndrome, and the academy does not recommend their use.
When CVS Might Be Something Else
If your eyes are bothering you, you may have a condition other than computer vision syndrome. There are many otherreasons for your vision to be blurredor for youreyes to burnorlook red.
If these symptoms persist, you should promptly visit an eye doctor to determine the actual cause of your symptoms.
How to Reduce Screen Time
For anyone with computer vision syndrome, tamping down on screen time is important. Doing the following may help:
Summary
Computer vision syndrome is an all too common fact of modern life associated with the use of devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and e-readers. Unfortunately, too much screen time can lead to eye discomfort and even vision problems.
Strategies to alleviate computer vision syndrome include changing the lighting in the room, repositioning your computer, taking frequent breaks, and reducing screen time. See an eye specialist if your problems persist.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).Ranasinghe P, Wathurapatha WS, Perera YS, Lamabadusuriya DA, Kulatunga S, Jayawardana N, Katulanda P.Computer vision syndrome among computer office workers in a developing country: an evaluation of prevalence and risk factors. BMC Res Notes. 2016 Mar 9;9:150. doi: 10.1186/s13104-016-1962-1. PMID: 26956624; PMCID: PMC4784392.Cedars Sinai.Computer vision syndrome.NVision. Computer vision syndrome:What it is and how long does it last?Penn Medicine.Computer vision syndrome.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Are blue light-blocking glasses worth it?Scripps.8 tips to reduce screen time for adults.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).Ranasinghe P, Wathurapatha WS, Perera YS, Lamabadusuriya DA, Kulatunga S, Jayawardana N, Katulanda P.Computer vision syndrome among computer office workers in a developing country: an evaluation of prevalence and risk factors. BMC Res Notes. 2016 Mar 9;9:150. doi: 10.1186/s13104-016-1962-1. PMID: 26956624; PMCID: PMC4784392.Cedars Sinai.Computer vision syndrome.NVision. Computer vision syndrome:What it is and how long does it last?Penn Medicine.Computer vision syndrome.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Are blue light-blocking glasses worth it?Scripps.8 tips to reduce screen time for adults.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).Ranasinghe P, Wathurapatha WS, Perera YS, Lamabadusuriya DA, Kulatunga S, Jayawardana N, Katulanda P.Computer vision syndrome among computer office workers in a developing country: an evaluation of prevalence and risk factors. BMC Res Notes. 2016 Mar 9;9:150. doi: 10.1186/s13104-016-1962-1. PMID: 26956624; PMCID: PMC4784392.Cedars Sinai.Computer vision syndrome.NVision. Computer vision syndrome:What it is and how long does it last?Penn Medicine.Computer vision syndrome.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Are blue light-blocking glasses worth it?Scripps.8 tips to reduce screen time for adults.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Computer vision syndrome (digital eye strain).
Ranasinghe P, Wathurapatha WS, Perera YS, Lamabadusuriya DA, Kulatunga S, Jayawardana N, Katulanda P.Computer vision syndrome among computer office workers in a developing country: an evaluation of prevalence and risk factors. BMC Res Notes. 2016 Mar 9;9:150. doi: 10.1186/s13104-016-1962-1. PMID: 26956624; PMCID: PMC4784392.
Cedars Sinai.Computer vision syndrome.
NVision. Computer vision syndrome:What it is and how long does it last?
Penn Medicine.Computer vision syndrome.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Are blue light-blocking glasses worth it?
Scripps.8 tips to reduce screen time for adults.
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