With the work of people nowadays using computers continuously for long periods, it may cause eye fatigue, blurred vision, dry eyes, as well as headaches. Therefore, properly caring for our eyes is important for people in the current social media era. Here are some recommendations for eye care to prevent CVS from Dr. Arada Mokornpong, an ophthalmologist specializing in retina and vitreous at Phyathai 2 Hospital.
Q: What is CVS?
A: Computer Vision Syndrome is eye pain and blurred vision caused by prolonged use of the eyes.
Q: What causes CVS?
A: People who use their eyes continuously for long periods cause the eye muscles to cramp.
Q: How can we observe the symptoms?
A: Eye stinging, eye irritation, eye pain, blurred vision, headaches, sometimes nausea and vomiting.
Q: How to treat or prevent it?
A: Treatment involves seeing a doctor and using eye drops. Prevention includes using the eyes continuously for 30 minutes, then resting by closing the eyes for 5 minutes or looking into the distance for 10 minutes.
Q: Who is at risk for this condition?
A: All genders and ages, especially those over 40 years old, because the eye muscles become less flexible.
Q: If left untreated for a long time, what are the long-term effects on the eyes? And if recovered, can it recur?
A: When experiencing blurred vision and chronic headaches continuously for a long time, or if symptoms worsen, it may cause nausea and vomiting. If the same eye usage continues, it can recur.
Q: How to exercise the eye muscles?
A: You should rest your eyes by frequently closing them.
Q: How many hours a day should computers be used?
A: You can use them all day, but you must rest your eyes every 30 minutes (if using a mobile phone, use for 10 minutes and close your eyes every 5 minutes).
Q: For people who have to use computers all day without avoiding it, what should they do?
A: Every 30 minutes of use, you should rest your eyes by closing them for 1-2 minutes.
Q: How bright should the computer screen light be?
A: Medium brightness.
Q: How can we differentiate between normal eye pain and dry eyes and those caused by CVS?
A: You should see an ophthalmologist to differentiate the condition by using eye examination tools and staining the cornea to check for dry eyes and other eye diseases.
Q: How effective are eye massagers, eye-nourishing fruits, and blue light blocking glasses?
A: You should not use eye massagers! Because they can cause trauma to the cornea, blood vessels, and internal eye structures such as the retina.
Regarding food, you should mainly eat groups containing Vitamins A, E, and C, such as green vegetables including Broccoli, Spinach, fruits like Carrot, Sweet Potatoes, Cantaloupe, and Apricots.
Fruit Consumption Recommendations
- Vitamin A helps with vision, clear cornea, retina, and reduces cataract formation.
- Vitamin E increases collagen in the cornea and inner conjunctiva, reducing cataract formation.
- Vitamin C reduces eye cell stress (Antioxidant).
- Vitamin B6, B9, B12 reduce inflammation of the photoreceptor cells in the retina.
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin reduce inflammation of the photoreceptor cells in the retina.
- Omega 3 reduces inflammation of eye cells and slows the progression of diabetic retinopathy, among others.
Dr. Arada Mokornpong
Ophthalmologist specializing in retina
Eye Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
