Craig M wrote:
I’m writing from Ottawa.  Why is it so difficult to get help for computer vision syndrome?  Yesterday I saw my ophthalmologist for the second time in 2.5 years.  I wear no corrective eye-wear.  I first went to him due to blurry vision after working at the computer and he checked my eyes (the usual tests I assume) and sent me home.  This time, after all the usual tests again, I tried to discuss how my computer related symptoms have worsened and how it is affecting my vision for reading and distance after working all day.  He told me to blink more.  That’s it.  $120 later, I still can’t see properly.  Who do I have to see to get help with this?  Should I ask my family doctor for a referral?  Should I call my ophthalmologist’s office and tell them that I did not get the service I expected?

ANSWER

Hello Craig,
I have to tell you; “blink more” is sound advice.  Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is a collection of symptoms arising from a collection of problems.  One of the symptoms many people experience is the burning, tearing and redness of dry eye which occurs because of inadequate/infrequent blinking.  CVS can also cause general or focal muscle/body pain due to poorly-designed work-stations that are not ergonomically oriented.   The symptom that you are describing (blurred distance vision after time on a computer) is caused by accommodative spasm.
Think of yourself holding a 5lb weight in each arm while holding your arms straight out from your sides parallel to the floor.  Now picture yourself holding that pose all day.  Assuming that your arms wouldn’t collapse from exhaustion somewhere around lunchtime, you can imagine that at the end of the day, they’d be pretty stiff and immobile.  This is similar to what you’re doing to your focusing system by working at a set-distance (your computer) all day.  There are a few things you can do:
1)    Take “eye breaks” – No, I don’t mean leave your desk and take a break (sorry).  What I mean is to take 1 minute to sit back in your chair and look out the window across the street to the furthest target you can see.  This relaxes your focusing (like putting the weights down for a minute).
2)    Don’t spend your lunch hour reading, using a personal device like a cell-phone/organizer or catching up on e-mails.  Use that time to get outside, take a walk, or just look out the window some more.
3)    Ask your optometrist to prescribe you some computer glasses.  This prescription will be set to the distance you keep your monitor so that the work load is not carried by your eyes, but by the glasses (think of some thoughtful person holding your arms up for you while you hold those weights).
Hopefully this gives you a direction to pursue when talking with your optometrist.  Good luck, and don’t work too hard!
Dr. Donati

John wrote:
I have one sore eye, right eye, feels heavy all the time and pressure, I do spend many hours on my PC, could that be a problem? My eye sight is fine after my last check not too long ago, are there special computer glasses available?
thank you

ANSWER

Dear John
Spending a lot of time on a PC can cause symptoms of what is referred to as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Symptoms of CVS may include headaches, focusing difficulties, burning eyes, tired eyes, general eyestrain, aching eyes, dry eyes, double vision, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. These symptoms normally affect both eyes, however, at times symptoms may be more noticeable in one eye.
Computer glasses are prescription glasses that are specially designed to give you optimal vision when working on a computer. The lenses usually have an anti-reflective coating and, depending on the type of monitor you are using, they may also be slightly tinted.
In any case, it is not normal to have one eye that has a chronic feeling of heaviness and pressure. Even though you may have had a recent eye examination, based on your current symptoms, I think you should see your optometrist again to have your eyes reassessed. There may be underlying causes other than your computer time that are contributing to your symptoms.
Best of luck.

Dr. Smit