Visual Computer Stress

What is Visual Computer Stress?

Many people who use computers complain of eye strain. Looking at computer monitors for a long time can strain your eyes or can make any other problems you are having with your eyes seem more noticeable.

Although it causes you discomfort it isn't serious and will go away when you rest your eyes. 

Unfortunately because most of us spend most of our time either looking at a computer screen then our phones and then the TV we may need to take step to help reduce the strain and discomfort.

What are the symptoms of visual computer stress?

• Headaches
• Sore, tired, burning or itchy eyes 
• Difficulty focusing 
• Eye Discomfort
• Watery eyes
• Dry eyes- hyperlink to dry eyes
• Blurred or double vision
• Increased sensitivity to light

Treatment and Costs

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulation 1992 do state that employees using Visual Display Units (VDUs or Computer monitors) should be provided with an eye examination funded by their employer when requested. 

What can I do to help prevent this or reduce this in the mean time?

The most important thing to do is to book an eye test with a specialist. The optician can help you make sure there is not a more serious underlying problem as well as help you put a plan in place to de-stress your eyes. 

• Rest your eyes - not all day every day but try and give your eyes a break. This means no LED screens - thats TV, computers, phones, gaming etc 
• At work follow the 20/20/20 rule. Look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Or take a minute to stare out the window and watch the world go by. Looking away is going to relax the focusing eye muscles which will help eye fatigue 
• Reduce glare
• This can be done with applying our 'Crystal Clear' coating to your lenses when ordering your prescription. It has an anti-reflective coating to help reduce glare as well as an hydrophobic and easy clean coatings.
• Or if you want to completely protect your eye sight our 'Blue Block' coating includes all the crystal clear coatings but includes an extra blue light filter to help reduce blue light radiation. 
• If you don't wear glasses you can get blue light shields here. Other types available on request, just email [email protected] with your phone and screen type and we will see if it is available. 
• Modify your monitor - adjust your monitor settings to make sure the brightness and contrast is the same as the surroundings and adjust the text size so it is comfortable to read.
• Modify your work station - your computer screen should be 20 to 24 inches from your eyes to the centre of the screen and should be 10-15 degrees below your eye line. Make sure your chair is at the proper height so you're not hunched over.