Miriam Stoppard: Computer screens can become a sight for sore eyes as it leaves people struggling to see
As a sufferer of dry eyes I know only too well the effects of anything that stops me blinking; close work like reading, sewing, watching a movie and particularly working at my computer screen.
I’m not the only one. Office workers are having the same problems from staring at computer screens.
Moorfields Eye Hospital in London is seeing an epidemic of pain and redness caused by hours in front of computer, so bad that people have trouble seeing. Their eyesight is compromised.
The most common symptoms are dryness, tiredness, soreness, itching and a gritty feeling in their eyes after staring at illuminated screens.
Despite symptoms, some people carry on going at work, despite their eyes being uncomfortable and even red raw, says Daniel Ezra, consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields.
According to a recent study, between 60% and 90% of office workers using computers could have some form of “computer vision syndrome” which includes headaches and blurred vision.
Dr Ezra estimated up to one in six of Londoners — particularly those who use screens a lot — suffer from blepharitis, where the edges of the eyelids become red and swollen.
“I’ve got lots of patients who come in and say they can’t do their job properly because the dryness and discomfort has worsened to the degree that their vision has deteriorated,” he said.
“I think it’s probably the tip of an iceberg and there’s a huge epidemic of this problem.”
What’s behind it? Research has shown that high illumination screens of any sort decrease blink rate, which is critical for healthy eyes , by as much as 60%.
The eyelids need to swipe the eyes to spread tears over the surface, keeping them well-lubricated and moisturised.
When blinking slows, the tear film evaporates, drying out the eyeball and damaging the cornea (the outer layer), which becomes red and sore.
Air conditioning, which will encourage tears to evaporate, worsens this to the extent it can affect quality of life.
Dr Ezra says: “While most cases settle with appropriate lubrication, some will need anti-inflammatory agents or a procedure to plug the natural tear drainage channels to increase the tear film volume.”
So what can you do?
Take regular screen breaks, try to blink more often and use artificial tears.
But please do seek treatment if the symptoms persist.
Dr Ezra said e-readers such as Kindles are “kinder to the eyes” because the blink rate can be retained due to lower screen illumination.
[Source:- Miror]
