COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME -DR KARISHMA MANE It has been a long gap since the last post. The title of today's article is the reason that kept me away for so long. CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome) as it is popularly known is now a common ailment affecting all those who work for long hours on the computer. So what is this Syndrome? Computer Vision Syndrome is a temporary condition resulting from focusing eyes on a computer display for long uninterrupted periods of time. Symptoms include--- Headache, eye- strain, blurred vision, dry eyes, neck pain, fatigue and difficulty in refocusing the eyes Conditions of improper lighting, poor ergonomics etc aggravate the condition. Pathophysiology ---- Decreased natural blinking reflex, which in a normal human eye is 15-20 per minutes lead to dry eyes Prolonged near focusing puts a strain on the ciliary muscles of the eye Preventive measures-----Involve two kinds of measures --- 1) Relaxation measures for the eyes Ø Regular eye examination by an ophthalmologist once a year. Ø Periodic rest to the eyes and its muscles, blinking the eyes at regular intervals to moisten the eyes with a tear film. Ø A common therapy suggested is the 20-20-20 exercises. It advises- Every 20 minutes focus the eyes on an object 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds. Ø Practice yogic exercises for the eyes like Trataka, Yoni mudra at the work place during breaks. These can be practiced in any location and do not need much space. Ø Simple Palming exercise, involves rubbing both the palms together and placing them on closed eyes for 1 – 2 minutes is helpful. Ø Anti-reflective coating for the eye- glasses or computer glasses if available. 2) Corrections at work- station--- Ø Proper lighting- Avoid bright natural light from windows using curtains, blinds etc. Artificial interior lighting should be ambient. Ø Position the computer monitor so that the light source is to the side of the monitor instead of back or front. Ø Position the computer screen in front of you and not to one side of the work area Ø The computer screen should be 20 –26 inches away from you Ø The center of the screen should be at least 10-15 degree below your eyes for comfortable positioning of the head and neck. Ø Adjust the display setting of the monitor to enhance contrast and minimize brightness Ø Use an anti-glare screen if possible or an LCD screen with good resolution. Ø Correct your posture and balance while working. The chair should be with arms such that your arms are parallel to the floor when you type and feet resting flat on the ground or on a foot- stool. Ø Keep your back straight and shoulders back. Ø Include Vitamin A and C in your diet. These measures help both in treating and preventing the condition. For those who are unaware-- Yogic exercise Trataka is performed as below— 1 Sit cross-legged with the spine erect and abdomen drawn in (Can be performed while sitting in a chair with feet flat on the ground) 2 Stretch left hand with thumb projected vertically upwards 3 Look at the shine of the nail as long as comfortable 4 Move the left hand towards the tip of the right shoulder 5 Continue gazing at the nail of the thumb 6 Return left hand to normal position 7 Repeat the above steps with the right hand. Yogic exercise Yoni mudra is performed as follows--- 1 Sit in a similar position as above 2 Place palms of the hands over the face of the respective sides while fingers fill the apertures 3 Thus the thumbs should cover the ears, index fingers should close the eyelids, middle fingers placed on the two sides of the nostrils, the ring fingers on the upper lip and little finger on the lower lip. 4 After a few minutes a state of conditioned internal equilibrium is felt irrespective of the external office environment. A sense of calmness and relaxed state of the body is achieved. |
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