Are you Suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome?
We live in the Information Age and that is pretty exciting, isn’t it? It’s brought on a massive change in our society. Careers are built around technology and the average person is the new media.
Many of us spend hours and hours in front of a computer screen working. Have you ever finished a long day at work and found yourself struggling with blurred vision, eyestrain and headaches? You might have Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) caused by prolonged computer use.
Now just think about your kids and their eyes. Did you know that Canadian youth spend on average, 6 hours a day and more than 7 hours on weekends in front a screen?
Your eyes are adapted for a 3-D world so having to focus on a 2-D screen for long periods of time cause your eyes to work harder to maintain a clear image. This is what causes CVS and results in that blurred vision, eyestrain and headaches that you and your family members may experience after prolonged computer use.
My family manages to minimise CVS by reducing screen time and we really limit screen time with our girls. Of course, limiting and reducing screen time is really only viable as a solution for part of the time.
As a blogger I spend hours and hours in front of my screen working; I just couldn’t do this without excessive screen time. I try to ensure my screen is positioned correctly to help reduce CVS, but I can admit to suffering from it pretty often myself.
Thankfully there is another solution, the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds and look 20 feet away. In fact The Ontario Association of Optometrists came up with a pretty relaxing aid for the 20/20/20 rule with their 20-second daydreams to help you break bad screen time habits. Seriously. So relaxing, it’s genius!
If you think you or one of your family members might be at risk of or suffering from CVS then visit your optometrist to learn more about how you can protect your family from CVS today. Click here to find one near you.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Ontario Association of Optometrists. The opinions and language are all my own.
The computer really can mess with your eyes. Sometimes I make myself take a mini break from screen time but then I feel like my vision gets worse.
I like that rule. We set some bird feeders up outside that I can glance at every now and then.
Oh this is so true. Sometimes I look at my computer so long I’m loopy.
I think we must all have it. Most everyone spends all day looking at some type of screen!
i’m definitely feeling the effects of looking at a computer all day long. i’ll have to make use of this tip!
How interesting. i was so unaware. I should start taking breaks from the screen from time to time. Thanks.
When I was doing the most blogging, I had some serious vision problems from it. I had to actually take a week away to help my eyes.
I’ve actually never heard of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and thankfully don’t suffer from it either. However I do take regular coffee breaks so that probably helps.
Yes, looking at my computer sometimes triggers my migraines. I often have to take long breaks in between if I’m doing something that is super long and requires a good amount of time in front of the screen.
Yup I probably do suffer from this – I am trying to look at the screen less but it so hard when its your job. x
I get really bad eye strain and headache from the computer. I get up ans take a walk round the house every 30 minutes or so.
As much work as I need to do on the computer, I wish I had CVS. It’s apparent that this is not an issue for me.
I will have to remember that 20/20/20 rule. I have never practiced that but I will now. That is very easy to do.
I know I get it and I need to remember to take time to look away. That it also an excellent time to stand up and do a couple stretches or exercises.
I am going to ask my doctor about it today. I think I might!
I spend a ton of time on the computer. I often get headaches from the screen. I will have to try the 20/20/20 rule and see if it helps.
I am always getting eye strain from my computer. The 20/20/20 rule sounds like it will help. I will give it a try today.
I should start doing the 20/20/20 rule. My eyes get tired fast from staring at the computer for too long.
I am always taking breaks. About every 30 mins for 10-15 …
it’s important to take care of your eyes!
I was wondering about something like this… I was just telling my oldest that the young generation must have eye strain with all of the constant computer time they’re getting. So many things at my son’s school are w/a screen and then at home too.
I have to take breaks and there are days where I wont even be on the computer or phone because my eyes get blurry when they are over used I also have started having the first stages cateracts so I am extra careful how much time I spend on the computer as a blogger that really can interfear with the amount of work that can get done but health is much more important.
I definitely have noticed that my eyes are more strained because I spend so much time on the computer. I have to take better care of them.
I definitely suffer from this! I try to look up from the screen every 10 minutes or so and focus on something further away and stretch my neck out too but I have to admit I often forget!
Im not surprised to hear about this condition. So many use mobile devicea for long periods of time. Ive started putting time limits on how my family uses ours
I do try to take frequent breaks from staring at screens. I find if I don’t I tend to get headaches.
improper lighting can also play a factor