Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, many people have had multiple difficulties in adjusting to the new lifestyles. One of the biggest changes in the lives of many is working from home, which has caused a number of issues for the majority ranging from loss of sleep to the development of computer vision syndrome.
Computer vision syndrome is perhaps one of the most common issues faced by office workers. Nearly seventy to eighty percent of people whose jobs require sitting in front of a computer screen in their place of work develop signs of the condition.
However, the condition is now becoming even more prevalent with more people reporting much more severe symptoms. This is because working from home policies have combined the separation of work from home. As a result, most people are working more in comparison with before.
The blurring of lines between homes and offices has also made it difficult for people to actually know when to stop working. Moreover, since staying at home and not going outdoors generally is a part of guidelines for the prevention of the coronavirus, time spent in front of the screens has increased overall.
As a consequence, people are spending most of their days working on their computers and laptops and then the rest of the days watching television or using their phones as they are home all day and going out is no longer a choice.
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The longer the time a person spends in front of screens, the worse is his or her symptoms of computer vision syndrome. According to research, the condition can develop if a person spends as little as two to three hours each day in front of a screen.
However, in such little time, signs are much more manageable. For those who spend eight to nine hours or even longer in front of the screen, it may become particularly hard to continue working.
In mild CVS, a person may experience redness in the eyes, itching, and a general feeling of dryness and stretch.
On the other hand, people who spend a lot of time in front of screens can experience burning in the eyes, neck and shoulder pain, chronic headaches, or migraines, and even blurry or doubled vision.
Although computer vision syndrome does not cause permanent eye damage, its effects can be very uncomfortable and cause difficulties in performing daily tasks.
In order to relieve the symptoms, health experts suggest taking frequent breaks between work and considering wearing computer glasses. Additionally, make sure to adjust the computer screen in a comfortable position along with the brightness and resolution.
Do not set up the workspace in the bedroom. Instead, try to shift it to a separate room with proper lighting. This will also help in creating boundaries between work and relaxing time as well as avoid other problems such as sleep loss.
Make sure to consume a nutrient-rich diet and stay healthy overall. For people who wear prescription glasses, consult an eye specialist if symptoms continue to worsen as they could mean that the number may have changed.
