Digital Eye Strain
eye care for digital devices
Digital Eye Strain Treatment in San Jose, CA
20/20 Optometry is here to help you manage your digital eye strain. In today's tech-savvy society, it's important to remain comfortable. Reach out to our team in the San Jose and Santa Clara area to learn more!
What is Digital Eye Strain?
Digital eye strain, also referred to as computer vision syndrome, is a condition more common today than ever. This is caused by excessive computer, TV, tablet, cell phone or e‑book use.
Digital eye strain frequently contributes to dry eyes. It’s important that you recognize this early on and seek proper vision care treatment to relieve your symptoms.
The number of hours on devices has risen. In addition, the number of devices used has also increased over the years. This means that dry eye problems will continue to rise. We understand how important your work is to you, and we want you to prepare better. We offer solutions to your eye problem since your eyes are tools, too. We treat the symptoms, get you relief, and develop a tailored dry eye treatment plan just for you.
Dry Eyes & Digital Eye Strain
People often experience dry eyes and computer vision syndrome when they view digital devices for too long, due to a decrease in the number of times blinked.
You may spend all day in front of the computer. It is your life and your livelihood. You sit for hours in front of a screen. At the end of the day, you have tired eyes, sore eyes, and/or irritated eyes. Perhaps you even have blurry vision. Your blink rate drops 67% when concentrating on digital devices. With a reduced blink rate, there is a reduced distribution of oils or tear film, which causes dry eyes. Often, this condition results in MGD or meibomian gland dysfunction, which is a deficiency in the oil layer. This condition affects people of all ages and genders, and people who use digital devices tend to suffer more from it than others.
Eye Exams for Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) in San Jose & the Bay Area, CA
optometry examinations
Computer Vision Syndrome Symptoms & Treatment
The Causes of Computer Vision Syndrome
What causes CVS is our eyes and brain react differently when focusing on printed text versus text on a computer screen. It is easier for our eyes to focus on characters in printed material because the characters are well defined with good contrast.
On the other hand, since the characters on the computer screen have varying contrast and their characters (pixels) are brightest at the center and fade in intensity towards the edges, our eyes work harder to maintain focus.
As one views the screen, the scrolling and/or refreshing of various screens causes additional fatigue for the focusing muscles. Treatment for CVS is to have your eyes checked.Identifying the Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome
The symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) can vary from mild discomfort to more severe issues that can affect your daily productivity and overall sense of well-being. Some common symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome include:
● Eye Strain: Feeling eye strain is one of the most prevalent symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome. It is characterized by aching, burning, or a tired feeling in your eyes. You might also notice dryness, redness, and increased sensitivity to light.● Blurred Vision: Prolonged screen time can cause your vision to temporarily blur, making it difficult to focus on objects both near and far. This can cause headaches and make it harder for you to read or concentrate.● Headaches: CVS can trigger frequent headaches, which often start at your temples or the base of your skull. ● Dry Eyes: Staring at screens for extended periods has been shown to reduce the natural blink rate; while this won’t directly damage your vision, it can cause your eyes to become dry and irritated, which can be unpleasant.● Neck & Shoulder Pain: It’s important to be mindful of your posture when you’re sitting at a computer or digital device. Poor posture for prolonged periods can strain the neck and shoulder muscles, resulting in pain and stiffness.● Sleep Problems: Exposure to the blue light that screens emit can disrupt your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. This makes it harder to easily fall asleep or achieve restful sleep.Optical Treatments to Reduce CVS Symptoms
● Custom filters or tints● Anti-glare coating● Computer prescription glasses● Specialty computer progressive lenses
Prepare for your Computer Vision Exam
To ensure our doctors can provide the most accurate and personalized prescription for your computer vision needs, it’s important to come prepared with answers to the questions below. This information helps us tailor your eyeglasses, filters, and coatings to enhance your vision and reduce digital eyestrain.
● Computer monitor - How many are you using? What is the monitor width? How far away is the monitor from your face?● Laptop - What is the size of the laptop?● Reading material - Do you read on your phone/ Kindle/ iPad and/or do you read a book, magazine, newspaper, or Bible?● Lights - What type of lighting is in the office? At home? At school?● Monitor height - What is the height of the monitor in relation to your eye level? (computer at eye level, above eye level, below eye level)● Font size - What is the average or the range of font size used while on the computer?● Screen type - Is the monitor an LCD or a CRT screen?● Contrast - What colors are used for the letters and for the background?