| Millions of Americans go to work every day to sit | | | | a year. While many contact-lens wearers are |
| at a computer for 8 or more hours, seven days | | | | required to get eye exams each year to renew |
| a week. While office work is hardly considered to | | | | their lens prescription, it's important for those who |
| be a "dangerous" job, several years ago, doctors | | | | don't wear contacts as well. Tracking the health |
| began to notice that certain afflictions are | | | | of your eyes will allow your optometrist to |
| becoming increasingly common among those who | | | | identify whether or not you're experiencing a |
| use computers all day long. | | | | deterioration of vision due to CVS. |
| First, the medical community became aware of | | | | Dr. Wan also contends that proper lighting is |
| CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), a painful and | | | | important, citing that eyestrain can be caused by |
| sometimes debilitating inflammation in the wrist, | | | | excessive lighting either coming in through a |
| arms, and hands. In response to the increased | | | | window, or from interior lighting itself. Dim your |
| number of office workers being diagnosed with | | | | lights when using a computer. |
| CTS, computer furniture manufacturers began to | | | | Glare is another factor that Dr. Wan claims can |
| develop ergonomically correct keyboards and | | | | cause CVS. In addition to adding an anti-reflective |
| keyboard trays, as well as computer chairs that | | | | coating to your eyeglasses, glare can be |
| offer more comfortable seating for computer | | | | prevented by anti-glare screens attached to your |
| use. Now, many employers provide ergonomically | | | | monitor, or by using an LCD monitor arm. LCD |
| correct workstations for their office staff and | | | | monitor arms actually allow you to tilt or slide |
| CTS is on the decline. | | | | your monitor at the touch of a finger, eliminating |
| Unfortunately, a new hazard has now taken the | | | | strain as the light in the room changes. We found |
| place of CTS. It's called CVS (Computer Vision | | | | affordable, high-quality LCD monitors online at |
| Syndrome), and is caused by prolonged visual | | | | Versa Products, Inc. |
| exposure to a computer screen. CVS has, in the | | | | Adjusting the brightness of your computer screen |
| past two years, become the number one health | | | | can also help. Optimize for comfort which may |
| complaint of office employees. | | | | mean either reducing or increasing the brightness. |
| Like CTS, Computer Vision Syndrome is also | | | | Find one that feels comfortable to your eyes. |
| preventable. There are a few things you can do | | | | Interestingly, Dr. Wan also tells his patients to blink |
| to reduce the sensitivity and eye strain associated | | | | more often. When staring at a computer screen, |
| with computer work. According to optometrist Dr. | | | | we tend to blink less than we normally do-a |
| Larry K. Wan, there are five key ways to reduce | | | | process which keeps the eyes lubricated and |
| the effects of CVS. | | | | comfortable. Make a point of blinking more often |
| Dr. Wan suggests getting regular eye exams, | | | | and every half hour, blink about ten times in a |
| which means (according to NIOSH-the National | | | | row, slowly. This will help reduce the effects of |
| Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) once | | | | CVS as well. |