Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer Vision Syndrome (Digital eye strain)





Technology has revolutionized the way we live and work, but it has also brought about a new kind of strain – digital eye strain. With the rise of smartphones, laptops, and other digital devices, more people are experiencing eye fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms of digital eye strain.

   Digital Eye Strain

Digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome, is a condition that affects millions of people who spend hours in front of digital screens. Symptoms can include eye fatigue, headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, and neck and back pain. Digital eye strain is caused by the prolonged use of digital devices, which emit blue light, a high-energy visible (HEV) light that can penetrate the eyes and disrupt natural sleep patterns.

Causes of Digital Eye Strain

Prolonged Screen Time: refers to spending extended hours continuously looking at digital devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, or televisions.

Effects on Health

  1. Eye-related issues

    • Digital Eye Strain (Computer Vision Syndrome)

    • Dry eyes due to reduced blinking

    • Blurred vision

    • Increased risk of myopia (especially in children)

  2. Physical problems

    • Neck, shoulder, and back pain (poor posture)

    • Headaches

    • Hand/wrist strain

  3. Mental health impacts

    • Increased stress and anxiety

    • Reduced attention span

    • Sleep disturbances (due to blue light affecting melatonin)

  4. Lifestyle effects

    • Reduced physical activity → weight gain, metabolic issues

    • Social isolation

Poor Screen Settings:Poor screen settings—like incorrect brightness, contrast, font size, or color balance—can put extra strain on your eyes and even affect posture and productivity.

Common examples of poor screen settings

  • Too bright or too dim brightness – Causes glare or forces your eyes to work harder.

  • Low contrast – Makes text harder to distinguish from the background.

  • Small font size – Forces you to squint or lean forward.

  • Unbalanced color temperature – Too much blue light at night can disturb sleep, while overly warm tones can cause color distortion.

  • Incorrect resolution or scaling – Can make text blurry or pixelated.

  • Improper refresh rate – Low rates may cause flicker, leading to headaches.

Effects of poor screen settings

  • Eye strain and fatigue

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Blurry vision

  • Neck and shoulder pain (from leaning forward)

  • Sleep disruption (from excessive blue light exposure)

Poor Workstation Ergonomics: refers to an improper or poorly designed workspace setup that forces your body into awkward positions while working. This can put strain on muscles, joints, and eyes, leading to discomfort or even long-term health problems.

Dry Eyes: Screen use can cause dry eyes due to reduced blinking, which is essential to keeping eyes moist and comfortable.

Reduced blink rate – Normally you blink 15–20 times per minute, but while looking at a screen, this can drop by 50% or more. Less blinking means less tear spreading and faster tear evaporation.

More incomplete blinks – When focusing, especially on small text, your eyelids may not fully close with each blink, so the tear film isn’t refreshed properly.

Increased tear evaporation – Warm, dry air from fans, AC, or low humidity around your desk can make it worse.

Eye strain effects – Prolonged focusing can alter tear composition and increase inflammation, both of which contribute to dryness.

Uncorrected refractive error: Can also increase symptoms of digital eye strain.

Ways to Manage Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) or Digital eye strain.

Take Regular Breaks: Follow 20-20-20 rule, is a simple technique to reduce symptoms of digital eye strain. Rule state that every 20 minutes of screen time, you should take a break for 20 seconds and look at something which is 20 feet far away from you.

Adjust Screen Settings: Keeping screens at a comfortable brightness and text size can help prevent CVS. Brightness of screen depends on environmental and individual’s preferences. A good start point is, set the screen brightness to about 70-75% of the maximum level and adjust according to your comfort. Increase the text size of the screen can also decrease strain on your eye muscles and make it easier to read.

Use Eye Protection: Blue light blocking glasses can help reduce the amount of blue light entering your eyes and prevent CVS.

Keep Your Workstation Ergonomic: Make sure your screen is at the correct height and angle, and keep your keyboard and mouse at a comfortable distance from your body. To maintain good posture, top of monitor screen should be at or slightly below your eye level, screen should be placed about one arm length away from your eyes and screen should be slightly tilted.

Blink Regularly: Blink regularly to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. Normal blink rate is 10-15 blinks per minute.

Visit your optometrist: Yearly eye examination.


Digital eye strain is a growing problem, but it is preventable. By taking breaks, adjusting screen settings, using eye protection, keeping your workstation ergonomic, and blinking regularly, you can reduce your risk of digital eye strain and protect your vision.


For further process click https://medorbis.ai


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