For work, for study or for leisure, the hours we spend in front of a computer screen are many and often in conditions of posture and lighting that are not entirely correct that put a strain on our eyes. Those who spend a long time at the computer, in fact, exert an accommodative effort to focus on the screen and reduce eyelid blinks. In this way, the tear film evaporates faster and dry eye increases with symptoms such as eye redness and burning, worsening of the ability to focus images, double vision and headache. We speak, in fact, of ‘Computer Vision Syndrome’ and to minimize the annoyances it can cause it is good to follow some precautions.
Symptoms of computer fatigue
Computer Vision Syndrome is a scientifically recognized clinical condition which manifests itself with some symptoms such as headache, blurred near and far vision, focus delay in the transition from near to far vision, dry eye and muscle disorders. -skeletal. “Although many studies have shown that the most frequent problems, which affect those who work at the computer, are those related to the visual apparatus – explains Luigi Mele, ophthalmologist surgeon of the Luigi Vanvitelli University of Naples and President of the scientific committee of the Salmoiraghi & Viganò Foundation – 22% of them have associated musculoskeletal disorders and the intensity of the symptoms is directly proportional to the number of hours of work, so much so that the symptoms fade, and in some cases disappear, during the weekend “.
Organize the computer workstation
The first precautions to be taken to avoid excessive visual fatigue concern the station. “The optimal distance from the computer is 50-70 centimeters,” suggests Mele. “Furthermore, it is advisable to use a support surface inclined by about 20 °. This allows you to maintain a straighter back and a sufficiently relaxed neck position “. Better to choose, if possible, large and excellent quality high resolution screens with a good contrast between the written word and the background. Avoid reflecting any light source on the screen. The position of the head with respect to the monitor is also important: “The PC screen – continues the ophthalmologist – must be positioned lower than the head. The ideal is 10-20 ° below eye level to allow the head to assume a natural position, without contracting the neck muscles ”.
Maintain a good level of humidity
Another important precaution is that concerning air quality. “We must avoid too dry environments that favor the evaporation of the tear film causing dry eyes”, explains Mele who adds: “To alleviate the problem of reduced blinking responsible for a more or less accentuated dry eye, it is advisable in front of the computer to use every 2 -3 hours lubricating and moisturizing eye drops “.
Computer glasses
To alleviate the hassles of a closely concentrated vision there are also the so-called ‘office or indoor lenses’ designed precisely to meet the needs of those who work in the office, read for a long time, carry out handicraft or household work at different distances. In short, they are the ideal lenses for office workers, artisans, musicians, shopkeepers, professionals and for those who need visual quality in activities carried out in close spaces, from about 30 cm to 2 meters. “With these lenses, the head maintains a more ergonomic and more relaxed position, eliminating those forced postures, which often cause headaches, neck pain and eye fatigue,” explains the ophthalmologist. “They do not need to be adapted, they are comfortable from the first use and allow you to increase the clear vision space up close, avoiding that small movements of the reading plane cause the image blur”, explains the ophthalmologist specifying that “these glasses they must be prescribed after an eye examination which examines the degree of muscle spasm on the basis of which the prescription is made “.