Dr. Eva Strube is an expert in working with people with Computer Vision Syndrome.  Read the paragraphs below.  If you are not sure about your vision, contact Dr. Eva Strube of Avenue Vision, Golden, CO at 303-279-3713.  If you would like to visit the website, go to www.optometrists.org/strube.

Computer Vision Syndrome has been identified as a condition of the visual system caused by focusing intently on a light source (your VDT) over prolonged time span and at a set distance. It can include neck and shoulder stress as well as visual stress, is multi-factoral and multi-causal. Because each person's visual system is different, we each respond to a visual overload in varying ways. For example if your two eyes do not work well together, you have dry eye, you have a weak focusing muscle, or your ability to track print on a page is diminished for any reason, the use of a computer for work all day will give you symptoms.

The best thing to do is to have your eyes and your visual system to see what needs to change. This could be giving you a special computer prescription to decrease stress, exercises for your eyes, visual hygiene activities to do during your work day, dry eye treatment, changing your room lighting, or merely re-arranging your workstation.

Video display terminals (VDT) related visual stress may underlie many direct and indirect symptoms. Eyestrain is a common direct symptom, while the need for shifts in posture and muscular strain resulting from an ill-arranged workstation are among the indirect symptoms.

Direct Visual Signs and Symptoms

• Headache accompanying or following VDT use
• Eyestrain
• Irritated eyes
• Blurred vision
• Slow refocusing when looking from copy or screen to distant objects
• Trouble losing place when moving eyes between copy and screen
• Difficulty seeing clearly at distance after prolonged VDT use
• Occasional or frequent doubling of vision
• Changes in color perception
• Present lens prescriptions fails to relieve symptoms

Indirect, Visually-Related Signs and Symptoms

• Neck or shoulder tension, pain
• Excessive physical fatigue when using VDT
• Irritability increase when using VDT
• Pain in arms, wrists or shoulders, when working
• Increased nervousness
• Lowered visual efficiency and more frequent errors

VDT Workstation Suggestions

• Many Vision problems can be alleviated by making changes, when possible, in the workstation. This checklist may guide you in evaluating vision - affecting     conditions where you work.
• Keyboard, screen and copy should, ideally, be at equal distance from the eyes.
• VDT screens should be slightly below eye level (about 20 Degrees). Copy should be the same level as the screen.
• Locate keyboard so wrist and lower arm are parallel to the floor.
• Workstation lighting should provide a 10:3 screen characters 10 times brighter than screen background; room illuminating 3 times brighter than screen background.
• Each workstations should have and adjustable, shaded copy lamp that can be aimed by the operator without causing screen reflections.
• Eliminate glare and screen reflections by moving or tilting the terminal. Overhead light may need baffles. Try not to face forward towards windows of bright light source.
• Operators should face toward an open space beyond the VDT screen.
• Clean VDT screen regularly; they attract and accumulate dust.
• Have focus and image alignment adjusted frequently to reduce visual stress.
• Vision and performance are enhanced by taking a short break (15 minutes); every 2 hours. Demanding VDT workloads usually require a short change from VDT work each hour.

The Link Between VDTs and Vision Problems

If you suffer from any combination of direct or indirect conditions, it is time to have a behavioral optometrist evaluate your visual skills and performance.

The Optometrist's recommendation may be the key in a making work less stressful, less painful, and, more productive. And, you may avoid the onset of more permanent visual and eye conditions now observed by optometrists among VDT operators.

VDT characters on older or infrequently serviced display screens are sometimes fuzzy-edged and are constantly decaying and being regenerated. Add to that scrolling, flicker; screen edge distortion, improper contrast and other disturbing workstation conditions and visual problems may develop.

Symptoms and discomfort are the warning signs that something must be done to reduce the possibility of serious, permanent visual or eye problems that can alter and diminish the quality of vision.

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Last modified: 05/12/10