Computer vision syndrome, or CVD, affects people who spend more than two hours a day on the computer, according MDSupport.org. As many as 50 to 90 percent of people who work at video display terminals develop visual problems, the American Optometric Association states. Many treatments and adjustments can help with CVD, including wearing special computer glasses and setting up an ergonomic workstation. Simple eye exercises can also significantly reduce eye symptoms from CVD.
Definition
Eye exercises for CVD involve simple actions that require no special equipment and take very little time.
Reasons
Doing eye exercises help relieve many of the symptoms of CVD, including dry eyes, redness, blurred vision, aching, burning eye and difficulty focusing.
Types
Typical eye exercises for CVD include blinking more frequently. People who work on computers blink about five time less than normal, All About Vision states. Because tears evaporate more quickly when people don't blink, dry eye commonly occurs in people with CVD. Blinking slowly 10 times every 20 minutes helps re-moisturize the eyes. Focusing fatigue occurs from looking at the screen for too long. Looking away from the screen at an object at least 20 feet away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds--what doctors call the 20-20-20 rule--helps prevent eyestrain. Looking at an object far away for 10 to 15 seconds and then shifting to a closer object for 10 to 15 seconds, 10 times in a row, helps prevent accommodative spasm. Accommodative spasm causes focusing ability to "lock up."
Benefits
Approximately 10 million people have eye exams each year in the United States to deal with the symptoms of CVD, the American Optometric Associations reports. The symptoms of CVD can cause not only eye discomfort but also headaches and neck and back pain from straining to see the screen better. Eyestrain can reduce productivity at work by as much as 20 percent, the Palmer Eyecare Center reports, citing a study done by the University of Alabama School of Optometry.
Considerations
Eye exercises are a simple and important part of avoiding CVD. They may work best when used in conjunction with special computer glasses, placing the screen between 20 to 26 inches from the face, adjusting the contrast on the computer screens, minimizing glare and using proper lighting. An LCD screen also helps reduce eyestrain.
