Learn about digital eye strain

When suffering from computer screen vision syndrome, patients often experience eye discomfort and vision problems after looking at digital screens for a long time. The degree of discomfort as well as the affected vision is often proportional to the amount of time the patient looks at the screen. The cause of this syndrome is exposure to screens of electronic devices or light from LEDs and fluorescent lamps for a long time.

Digital eye syndrome, also known as screen vision syndrome, is a term used to describe eye and vision related problems such as blurred vision, eye strain caused by using computers and other devices. other electrons for a long time.
When suffering from computer screen vision syndrome, patients often experience eye discomfort and vision problems after looking at digital screens for a long time. The degree of discomfort as well as the affected vision is often proportional to the amount of time the patient looks at the screen.
Like its name suggests, the cause of digital eye strain is exposure to the screens of electronic devices such as computers, tablets, phones, televisions, ... or light from LEDs, fluorescent lamps. Besides, there are a number of other factors that increase the risk of digital eye syndrome such as:
Placing computers and televisions in the wrong place; Frequently sitting in the wrong position causes the patient to experience eye strain due to the use of computers or other electronic devices; Eyes with refractive errors... and the explosion of modern electronics. People at high risk of digital eye syndrome are office workers, because office workers often work in an enclosed space and work on computers often lasts from 8 to 11 hours a day. seriously damage the eyes.

Screen vision syndrome often affects concentration during work, thereby reducing the quality of work as well as the patient's life. Usually, people with screen vision syndrome often have the following common symptoms:
Eye fatigue : This is considered the first manifestation of digital eye strain syndrome, the cause of eye fatigue is because patients often look at the computer continuously for many hours at a time. Blurred vision: If the patient notices signs of blurred vision but no visual impairment, this may be a manifestation of computer vision disorder syndrome. The reason is that when working with a computer, the eyes require constant focus and movement, so it will make the eyes more tired, from which the eyes are more easily blurred. Dry eyes: The average person blinks 14 times/minute. Blinking is considered a natural response of the body to support the secretion of tears and spread evenly over the surface of the eye. However, when using computers and other electronic devices, our eyes only blink 6 times per minute. Blinking less makes the tears not enough to supply to the surface of the eye, which in turn causes dry and irritated eyes. Headache: Headache is a symptom of the signs of screen vision syndrome. The cause of headaches may be due to the unreasonable distance between the eyes and the computer screen, the poor working posture, which causes the eye muscle regulation to reach the limit, thereby leading to pain. head . Double vision: Double vision, also known as double vision, is the phenomenon of looking at one object but seeing two images. Double vision is caused by weakened eye muscles or damage to the optic nerve. Neck and shoulder pain: Symptoms of neck and shoulder pain also frequently appear in screen vision syndrome. The reason is that patients often adjust their neck and back to see better, but doing this causes back pain, neck pain and neck and shoulder fatigue because of incorrect working posture.

3.1. Diagnosing digital eye strain Digital eye strain can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. The doctor may perform the following eye exams:
Medical history: This is a method to determine the symptoms a person is experiencing. Optometry is aimed at assessing how much vision is affected. Check for refractive errors in the eyes such as farsightedness, nearsightedness or astigmatism to have appropriate treatment for the patient. Eye focus and coordination test: This test aims to check for problems that prevent the eyes from focusing or factors that make it difficult to coordinate the eyes. Use eye drops: In some cases, if the patient has an unspecified loss of ability to focus, eye drops may be necessary. Eye drops help keep the eye from changing focus temporarily while your doctor performs these tests. Based on the test results, your doctor will diagnose you with digital eye strain. From there, advise on appropriate treatment options for the patient.
3.1. Treatments for digital eye syndrome There are many ways to improve and treat vision problems caused by digital eye syndrome. Most symptoms will be relieved with regular eye care as well as changing the way you look at digital screens. Treatments include:
Eye care Patients can use glasses to reduce symptoms of the disease such as eye strain. In cases where the patient has problems with concentration or eye coordination when looking at a digital screen that cannot be corrected by eyeglasses, a vision correction program is needed to help the eyes and brain train. collaborate more effectively. Thereby overcoming the shortcomings in eye movement as well as the ability to focus the eyes.
Changing habits of looking at digital screens Computer posture or habits when using digital devices will help improve symptoms of digital eye syndrome. Factors involved in the treatment of this syndrome include lighting conditions, seat comfort as well as the placement of objects on the table, the location of required documents, and the length of time the device is used. electronic. Specifically, the position of the screen should be from the top because the naked eye feels more comfortable when looking at the computer screen. The optimal distance is for the center of the screen to be 10-12cm lower than the eye level, and the eye-to-screen distance is 50-71cm.
In case you need to look at the document and the screen continuously, it is best to put the document on the keyboard and under the computer screen or arrange the document right next to the screen so that the head and neck do not need to move too much . As for the light, it is best to place the screen to avoid too bright light, especially from overhead light sources. In case it is not possible to reduce the glare from other light sources, an anti-glare sheet should be used for the computer screen.
In addition, a suitable and comfortable seat should be selected. Adjust the work chair so that the feet can be flat and perpendicular to the floor. Wrists should not be on the table while you type. Especially to avoid eye strain, should take a short time to rest your eyes, every 20 minutes looking at the screen, look away about 6m for 20 seconds. In addition, to reduce dry eyes caused by continuous use of electronic screens, try to blink often to help your eyes stay hydrated and keep your eyes moist.

To prevent screen vision syndrome, retinal pigment epithelial cells need to be protected. Therefore, always take the initiative to take care of and protect the retina from the inside by the following methods:
Supplementing nutrients through food to nourish healthy bright eyes, thereby preventing screen vision syndrome computer figure. The diet needs enough vitamins and minerals. Adjust your working posture accordingly, and at the same time have a mode to use computer screens and electronic devices in a scientific way. After using the computer for about 20-30 minutes, you should look in another direction to rest your eyes; Blink often to avoid dry eyes, can also use artificial tears to replenish moisture. Should use recliner or chair with back cushion when studying or working. Do not expose your eyes to harmful agents such as smoke, tobacco, alcohol... After a long day of working on electronic screens, after returning home, if not necessary, limit them. Minimize looking at electronic screens. Within 2-3 hours before bed you can listen to radio, listen to music, read books, instead of using electronic devices. Using electronic devices all day and night can contribute to an increased risk of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Therefore, experts recommend that users of electronic screens should follow the 20-20-20 rule. Specifically, you should rest your eyes every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds, and look at objects at least 20 feet away (about 6m). At the same time, it is necessary to have regular eye exams to contribute to protecting eyesight to help keep eyes healthy.
To protect their eyes, patients need to go to a reputable hospital to conduct examination and treatment as soon as there are signs of digital eye syndrome. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the leading prestigious hospitals in the country, trusted by a large number of patients for medical examination and treatment. Not only the physical system, modern equipment: 6 ultrasound rooms, 4 DR X-ray rooms (1 full-axis machine, 1 light machine, 1 general machine and 1 mammography machine) , 2 DR portable X-ray machines, 2 multi-row CT scanner rooms (1 128 rows and 1 16 arrays), 2 Magnetic resonance imaging rooms (1 3 Tesla and 1 1.5 Tesla), 1 room for 2 levels of interventional angiography and 1 room to measure bone mineral density.... Vinmec is also the place to gather a team of experienced doctors and nurses who will greatly assist in diagnosis and detection. early signs of abnormality in the patient's body. In particular, with a space designed according to 5-star hotel standards, Vinmec ensures to bring the patient the most comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.