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Computer Users
Contrary to
what most patients believe computers does not make your
prescription get worse. However, they do cause a lot of
people eyestrain. There are several reasons why
computers create so much trouble for our patients. The
most often heard complaint is that their eyes burn. The
computer operator vi ews the screen so intensely that
there is a reduction in the blink rate. This causes a
“dry eye” condition. Artificial tears along with
consciously performing “deep blinks” help alleviate
these symptoms. A second common problem is headaches
and blurry vision. This is usually due to a “weakness”
in the accommodative or focusing system of the eye. In
our younger patients the “brain” doesn’t know the exact
location of the letters on the monitor. Are the letters
at the plane of the glass or somewhere behind the
glass? How far are the letters behind the plane of the
glass? This causes the accommodative system to spasm as
it is constantly trying to focus on the letters. So,
even though the patient can see up close well, computer
glasses help eliminate the “spasm” and return
comfortable vision back to the patient.
In our patients
wearing multi-focals (bi-focals) the problem is one of
ergonomics. A traditional bi-focal is placed so that
the upper half of the lens is for viewing objects far
away and the lower half of the lens is for viewing
materials up close. Computer screens sit high enough so
that with a normal neck position the patient is looking
through the upper part of the lens. This is so out of
focus that the patient “discovers” that if they tilt
there head up they can view the computer through the
lower half of their lens. This is only a temporary
solution because the elevated head position will cause
many people to experience neck, shoulder, and wrist
pain. Sometimes these symptoms become serious enough to
require braces, disability claims and surgery.
A second
pair of glasses, designed for your computer needs, is a
small price to pay to avoid a lot of unnecessary pain
and discomfort. Many specialty lenses are available.
Anti-reflective coatings should also be considered for
your computer eyewear.
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