By Dr Hasanain Shikari: Blinking of the eye is a reflex action, which maintains proper lubrication of the eye and contributes to eye health. It spreads the tears over the eye surface and removes any impurities or particulates from the surface. Blinking also protects the eye against entry of foreign particles, smoke, dust and injury. While 15 to 17 blinks per minute is the normal rate, it subconsciously reduces to 5 times per minute or less when staring at a computer screen or any electronic screen.
In the presence of air-conditioning or heating, the humidity in the room may be further reduced. Since the eyes remain open for longer between each blink, this tends to cause drying of the tear film over the surface of the eye (which gets replenished with each blink – akin to wiper action in car). This leads to blurring of vision and increase in dry eye. Compare it to driving in the rain without using the wipers – the water spreads and dries up causing loss of clarity.
What Is Computer Vision Syndrome, And How Digital Devices Affect Blinking And Eye Health
The dependence on electronic screens has increased exponentially. We easily spend a cumulative 8 hours or more using any form of electronic screens.
Dry eyes and the resultant loss of clarity in eyesight and increase in inflammation due to excessive screen-time can cause symptoms of strain, redness, excessive tearing, burning or stinging sensation or the sensation of grittiness (like sand particles stuck in the eye). This constellation of symptoms and signs arising from screen use and causing dry eye is called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) or digital eye strain.
CVS adversely affects productivity at the work place by reducing the work efficiency due to discomfort and focusing difficulties, especially in digital screen reliant workplaces. The prevalence of CVS has increased significantly after the Covid pandemic due to increased screen time with poor ergonomics often associated with make-shift home offices and home schooling.
How To Deal With Computer Vision Syndrome?
As eye doctors, we are seeing patients with CVS with an increasing frequency in our clinics. There are three key preventive factors:
1. Blink more frequently: We advise our patients to make a conscious effort to blink more when using a digital screen.
2. 20-20-20: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break, and look 20 feet away. You may continue sitting at your work station and rather than looking at another digital screen, try and focus at an object at a distance or outside your window. This relaxes the eye muscles responsible for computer vision and exercises those for distance vision, thereby reducing strain.
3. Moisturize your eyes: Use artificial tear eye drops whenever you take a break or splash some clean water to keep them hydrated. Talk to your eye doctor for a prescription for appropriate artificial tears.
Ensure proper work-space ergonomics with adequate shadow-free lighting, monitor distance and height at eye-level and proper seating to ensure good eye health and improved work efficiency. Make sure that you are wearing your glasses, and if not, get yourself assessed to ensure that you do not have an uncorrected refractive error.
If your environment has low humidity, using a humidifier will help. It is also best to ensure not direct air-flow to your face from AC vents or fans while at work or home or while driving. Vitamin supplements such as Omega 3-fatty acids and Vitamin D also help reduce the symptoms of dry eye (should be prescribed by medical professional).
In cases of severe dry eye, which does not respond to the use of artificial tear eye drops, special medications may need to be prescribed by your eye doctor to help reduce the inflammation in your eyes. It is best to use these after a thorough evaluation by a trained-medical professional and never over the counter.
Dr. Hasanain Shikari is Eye Surgeon, Retina and Laser Specialist Former Fellow, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA; Consultant Ophthalmologist, Arete Clinics, Mumbai; and Honorary Consultant, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai.
[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]
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