Computer Vision Syndrome, Digital Eye Strain, or Gamer Eye Syndrome is often caused by intensive and excessive time spent staring at a computer screen. Sour, itchy eyes are a typical issue for office workers and gamers alike. It can impact anyone who spends an excessive amount of time staring at a computer monitor.
What Are The Causes Of Computer Vision Syndrome?
The cause of CVS is frequently prolonged and excessive staring at a computer screen. It can impact anyone who spends an excessive amount of time staring at a computer monitor.
Aside from visual information processing, the human eye, like the rest of your body, need exercise through eye movement to keep healthy. Going outside and exposing our eyes to daylight is also important for their health. You may believe that the lighting in your office is enough, but this is far from the case.
Throughout human history, eyes have had to continually shift and adapt to new visual challenges, seeing close to take care of the local surroundings while scanning for moving things in the distance, whether for prey when hunting or identifying a potential predator or other hazard.
People nowadays spend a lot of time in front of screens, watching movies, doing computer work, and playing video games. All of this leads to a more or less repetitive inflexible stare, during which visual signal processing of the eyes is active while the eyes are still. Staring when concentrating on a small field of view causes a substantial decrease in eye blinking. However, eye blinking is necessary to keep the eyes moist.
Reduced Eye Blink Rate Is What Typically Causes "Digital Eye Strain"
An eye's normal blink rate is 20 to 25 blinks per minute. This is enough to disperse the tears and supply the necessary moisture to the eye to prevent discomfort and injury.
When the pace of eye blinking decreases, proper eye lubrication is threatened because too much tear fluid evaporates before being replenished by the following eye blink. Concentrated looking at a computer monitor can reduce the frequency of eye blinking to as little as 1 or 2 blinks per minute. A blink rate this low can no longer effectively lubricate the eye. As a result, the thickness of the liquid film in the eye decreases.
Dry eyes with itching, stinging, scratching, or the sensation of sand in the eye are common symptoms of gamer eye syndrome. Infections are also more common in the eye.
Symptoms Of Computer Vision Syndrome/Gamer Eye Syndrome
The symptoms include:
Eyestrain
Scorching and itchy eyes
Having red eyes
Exceptionally dry eyes
Nausea
Malaise, vision problems
Headaches
Neck and shoulder discomfort
Factors that May Be Leading To CVS
Continuous screen time without a pause
Visual flaws and issues that have not been resolved
Poor illumination causes reflections and glare on the screen.
Incorrect screen distance
Inadequate Workstation Configuration
What To Do When Noticing Gamers Eye Syndrome?
You should be familiar with your eyes and how they normally feel. If you observe any of the symptoms or early warning signs, it is essential to act before significant problems arise. Don't dismiss symptoms because ignoring them can lead to greater difficulties.
It is always advisable to consult with your ophthalmologist. An eye health specialist can assist in determining the causes and making recommendations on how to address your symptoms more effectively.
Lubricating eye drops containing high-quality Sodium Hyaluronate
When you experience symptoms of dry eye, your doctor may recommend using eye drops (artificial tears). HYLO® eye drops contain Sodium Hyaluronate (the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid), a substance found naturally in the eye and other parts of the body.
"After having tried several different types of dry eye drops I discovered HYLO drops and it has made all the difference. These drops are thicker and coat the eyes better than the other watery type of eye drops." - Sue, on eyedropshop.ca
Due to its special physical property, HYLO® forms a regular, stable, long-lasting lubricating film on the eye surface. This film is not easily rinsed off and does not cause blurred vision. HYLO® provides long-lasting moisture to the surface of the eye to efficaciously support the natural process of healing.
HYLO®:
Offers immediate comfort (no stinging upon application) and protects your eyes from dryness and irritation for a long time.
Is preservative free and usually very well tolerated.
Is phosphate free, avoiding complications like deposits in the cornea.
Liposomal spray to help lock-in the moisture
When you experience symptoms of dry eye or burning, itching, strained eye-lids or foreign body sensation, your doctor may recommend using CALMO® Eye Spray.
CALMO® Eye Spray:
Offers immediate comfort and humidification of dry eyes, and stabilizes the lipid layer of the tear film when sprayed on the closed eye.
Is preservative free and usually very well tolerated.
Contains liposomes and dexpanthenol (pro-vitamin B5), which moisturize the eye area and provide preventative protection for the skin.
CALMO® Eye Spray addresses one of the root causes of dry eye.
CALMO® Eye Spray stabilizes the lipid layer of the tear film, regulates and improves the humidification of the eye surface and the eyelids. It should be used in environment-related disorders such as dry eyes, strained eyelids, foreign body sensation, and a burning and itching sensation in the eyes.
The liposomes and pro-vitamin B5 (dexpanthenol) in CALMO® Eye Spray moisturize the eye area and provide preventative protection for the skin.
The liposomes in CALMO® Eye Spray consist of lipids very similar to those which occur in your own tear film. The lipid layer protects the tears from evaporation and prevents tears from running over the lid margin. A lack of these lipids results in an increased evaporation of tears.
Once sprayed upon the closed eyes, the lipids contained in CALMO® Eye Spray mix with lipids produced by the Meibomian glands at the lid margin. Upon opening the eye, this optimized lipid mix gets spread onto the tear film and thus stabilizes it.
The lipid layer of the tear film is very thin, so already a small amount of CALMO® Eye Spray is sufficient to repair and stabilize that lipid layer. After only a few minutes the unpleasant sensations like burning, itching and the sometimes gritty sensation (like sand in your eyes) disappear.
With every subsequent blink, the tear film on the eye surface will once more be supplied with this mix of physiological lipids and liposomes contained in CALMO® Eye Spray and thus be stabilized. The effect of 1 - 2 sprays will work for approximately 4 hours.
Small Adaptions To The Workplace Or Gaming Station May Help
Most persons have modest symptoms, and modifications in the workplace, together with symptomatic treatment, may be enough to alleviate the symptoms.
Break up your screen time with regular breaks.
Exercise your eyes on a regular basis to avoid eye strain. Look around frequently; every 15 to 20 minutes, allow your eyes to wander and focus on distant objects.
Understand how to blink your eyes. It takes time, but frequent and aware blinking in front of the screen can be trained.
Reduce computer usage as much as possible, and exercise during breaks.
Allow for adequate illumination.
Use anti-glare computer monitors and a glare blocker.
Computer chairs should be appropriately adjusted so that you may sit comfortably and at the appropriate height.
Avoid having air-conditioned dry air blown at you if at all possible.
Finally, don't underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep. If you're continually striving to be the best, you'll undoubtedly have eye strain, and sleep is your finest healing tool for continuing to play tomorrow.
Gamers Eye Syndrome
Office Eye Syndrome, also known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), Gamer Eye Syndrome, or whatever term you like, is a common disease. It sneaks in gradually, and many individuals are unaware of it or do not associate it with excessive time spent in front of computer screens. However, it is a dangerous ailment that should not be handled lightly.
If your eyes are constantly dry, itchy, irritated, or reddish, or if you have the idea that something is wrong with your eyes, it's time to research the problem and seek the assistance of an eye specialist.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. CandorVision disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
The information contained on this website does not establish, nor does it imply, a doctor-patient relationship. CandorVision does not offer this information for diagnostic purposes. A diagnosis must not be assumed based on the information provided.
References
Freddo TF, Chaum E. Anatomy of the Eye and Orbit: The Clinical Essentials. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. 2017.
Coles-Brennan C, Sulley A, Young G. Management of digital eye strain [Review]. Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 2019;102:18–29.
Sheppard AL, Wolffsohn JS. Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ Open Ophthalmology. 2018;3:1-10.
Rosenfield, M. Computer vision syndrome (a.k.a. digital eye strain). Optometry in Practice. 2016;17(1):1-10.