Computer Vision Syndrome Becoming A Real Problem

When people work at computers for hours they can often develop blurry eyes and aching necks – it's being called Computer Vision Syndrome.

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Will Bulka spends a big part of his workday online.

"I look at a computer screen anywhere between eight-to-ten hours a day," he says, and it takes its toll. You know, I come home from work sometimes with terrible headaches."

Headaches, blurred vision and focusing problems are all symptoms of it.

NOT AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS

The American Optometric Association says it's not an official diagnosis, but it is a real problem that impacts as many as 70-percent of those who work at their computers daily for at least two hours.

"It's just proliferated, as computers have proliferated in our workplaces and our homes." says Jim Sheedy, OD, PhD with the AOA.

It can also happen when you're texting a lot.

According to these guys...

American Optometric Association - Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work which are experienced during or related to computer use. CVS is characterized by visual symptoms which result from interaction with a computer display or its environment. In most cases, symptoms occur because the visual demands of the task exceed the visual abilities of the individual to comfortably perform the task.

- Computer Vision Syndrome Symptoms

- The Relationship of Computer Vision Syndrome to Musculoskeletal Disorders

- Impact of Computer Use on Children's Vision

- The Effects of Video Display Terminal Use on Eye Health and Vision

- Criteria for Determining Whether the Need for Eyeglasses or Other Treatment is Related to Computer Use

So when I need corrective vision or worse eye surgery in the future I will mail the bill to Crakeur

All joking aside, whether the diagnosis is official or not, I have had a few of these symptoms. The majority of my life involves looking at a computer screen. Not only for work but I am on it a good portion of the evening as well for this that and the other during the week and on some weekends. I don't think I'll give it up anytime soon.

Okay back to the joking, if I do go blind I'll just activate MS Sam Text to Speech...or the girl one, whatshername and have them read me all the posts on ATS

Ha! Now anytime one of my threads gets moved to the Trash Bin, or I accidentally post a dup thread, or otherwise infringe upon the TOS, THIS is my excuse from hence forth.

Oh I apologize...

....I suffer from periodic Computer Vision Syndrome

[edit on 20-5-2010 by gandhi]

reply to post by UberL33t


I was gonna read your thread but my eyes went all blurry and my neck started to hurt..

thanx for posting that, now i understand it a little better..

This can be advocated for.

For about fifteen years I have been utilizing a computer. Initially for video games/pornography, and now for professional reasons. I can tell you when I first began watching a computer monitor for hours at a time I would develop 'migraines' seeing little spots at first, and then my entire vision became obscured and I would suffer extremely intense headaches until I took migraine medicine and / or took a nap.

Now I very rarely experience such episodes, and at 24 years old my eyesight is still 20/20, but I still do get the intense headaches and 'blurriness' at times.

I am on the co,mputer about 10 hours a day...work and home.

I USED to need bifocals...needed glasses to drive...but my eyesight kept changing and the optometrist said that probably my computer work was causing it...and now I can see fine at a distance and only need light reading glasses...

Good thing that ATS has got the (option ) light text on dark background .

My eyes are very grateful .

Is this new news? I could have told you that 25 years ago. That's when the computer first made my eyes blurry enough to get glasses, then contacts. I knew it then... oh well, ahead of my time I guess...

I think it might be the computer screens they are using.
I spend probably 10+ hours a week on a computer and at one time was on a computer for probably 8 hours a day for 3 years (insomniac) but I have the best vision in my family and friends and never get neck aches.