About 60 million people around the world have Computer Vision Syndrome

November 18, 2017

Increasing amount of screen time has led to this condition exacerbating further, even in toddlers

New Delhi, November 18, 2017: As per recent statistics, the incidence of Computer Vision Syndrome ranges from 64% to 90% among computer users. About 60 million people globally suffer from this condition, with another million new cases occurring every year. According to research, our blinking frequency, which is supposed to be 15 to 20 times per minute, goes down by approximately 60% while using a computer.

Computer Vision Syndrome refers to a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from the prolonged usage of computers, tablets, e-readers and cell phones. The level of discomfort apparently increases with the amount of digital screen use.

Using a computer or staring at a screen for prolonged periods can cause symptoms such as dryness, watering, and itching in the eyes, blurred vision, headaches, neck and back pain.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “Screen usage has increased everywhere today, be it among students or adults. Even toddlers are given mobile phones to watch videos and cartoons, etc. When we gaze at any screen, the eyes converge to focus on a point and this position is maintained for longer periods of time. On an average, a person spends about 4.4 hours of leisure time in front of screens. Add to this, the 8 to 10 hours spent on laptops and desktops in offices. That is how pervasive this phenomenon is. When a person is focusing on the screen, the eyes move back and forth. In an office setting, one may need to also look down at papers and then back up to type. The eyes react to changing images on the screen to create so the brain can process what is seen. All this puts a lot of strain on the eye muscles. To make things worse, unlike a book or piece of paper, the screen adds contrast, flicker, and glare.”

Uncorrected vision problems like farsightedness and astigmatism, inadequate eye focusing or eye coordination abilities, and aging changes of the eyes, such as presbyopia, can all contribute to the development of visual symptoms when using a computer or digital screen device.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Another issue is that people often use their mobiles before they go to sleep. This can disturb sleep and also put a lot of stress on the eyes and the brain. It is better to listen to good music or even meditate an hour before hitting the bed. The first step to prevention is an awareness of the problem. There is a need to consciously wean ourselves away from screens.”

The following tips can help prevent computer vision syndrome.

  • It is good to take a full one-week social media holiday if you are addicted to various social media.
  • Everybody should have 30 minutes of electronic curfew before they sleep. This means not using mobile phones and other mobile devices for 30 minutes before sleep.
  • Use mobile only when mobile.
  • Limit mobile talk time to less than 2 hours a day.
  • Once the battery is discharged, call it a day for mobile use.
  • Follow the formula of “20-20-20 to prevent dry eyes: every 20 mins, focus the eyes on an object 20-feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds or close the eyes for 20 seconds, at least every half hour.
  • Spend less than 3 hours on a computer at a stretch.

Stay informed with the latest news from HealthySoch. Sign up today for exclusive insights and updates!

We promise we never spam!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Health Tips

Dr. T S Kler Padma Bhushan Awardee
MD, DM, MRCP, FRCP(U.K), FACC, D.Sc
Chairman – Fortis Heart Institute Gurugram

Precautions to avoid Corona Virus:

  1. Stay home as far as possible.
  2. Wash hands with soap and water frequently.
  3. Keep distance from people even your home members.
  4. Keep atleast 1-2 metres away from anybody coughing.
  5. Don’t touch your face, nose and mouth.

 

Dr. K.K Says

Archives

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
    123
45678910
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
26272829   
       
891011121314
293031    
       
    123
45678910
11121314151617
25262728293031
       
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
27282930   
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
3031     
     12
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
2627282930  
       
1234567
891011121314
22232425262728
293031    
       
     12
3456789
17181920212223
24252627282930
       
  12345
6789101112
       
  12345
13141516171819
2728     
       
      1
9101112131415
3031     
   1234
567891011
       
282930    
       
    123
45678910
       
  12345
27282930   
       
      1
3031     
    123
11121314151617
       
28      
       
2930     
       
    123
       
       
       
      1
9101112131415
3031     
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
242526272829 
       
  12345
13141516171819
2728293031  
       
      1
23242526272829
3031     
    123
       
    123
25262728   
       
78910111213
28293031   
       
293031    
       
14151617181920
28293031   
       
   1234
567891011
       
   1234
567891011
262728    
       
891011121314
293031    
       
    123
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
  12345
27282930   
       
      1
2345678
16171819202122
3031     
    123
45678910
18192021222324
       
28293031   
       
     12
31      
   1234
       
  12345
6789101112
       
HealthySoch

Don't Miss

Monsoon flu- ‘Tis the season!’

“Dr. Tarun Sahni, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals,

Homeopath fined for prescribing modern medicine injection

healthysoch New Delhi, July 18, 2019 : Dr KK Aggarwal