Professionals complain of eye problems; doctors call it ‘Computer Vision Syndrome’; read

Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, March 12

Overuse of computers and mobiles could lead to serious eye problems, say experts.

Experts say the pandemic has lead to an increase in computer and mobile usage, leading to serious eye issues that range from visual fatigue, and headaches to more complicated problems, like dry eyes, blurred vision, double vision, irritation, watering, and so on.

Doctors have a name for this condition---the Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).

Burning or stinging, decreased or blurred vision, sensitivity to light, red or watery eyes, the feeling of having something stuck in your eyes, and difficulty in wearing contact lenses, and driving at night are among the few symptoms of CVS.

“On a daily basis, we are getting professionals, who are working from home, with headache complaints, blur sight and irritation in eyes,” claimed doctors.

As natural light dwindles in the daytime, adults put extra strain on their eyes, say experts. 

An ophthalmologist from Bathinda, Dr Parul Gupta, said: “There is an increase in patients---working professionals---with complaints of dry eyes and blurry vision”.

Dr Gupta said there has been a significant rise in this since the pandemic began. Other symptoms of this include aches in your neck, back, and shoulders.

“For all the working professionals, it is important to follow the 20-20-20 rule to keep from staring too long at your screen. Take a 20-second break from your computer or device every 20 minutes and look at something 20-feet away,” she said.

Health expert Dr Vitul K Gupta said that that “with living in the modern digital world, mankind is confronted with newer health challenges---a 21st century epidemic".

"This is stealthily destroying relationships, increasing mental disorders, making people impulsive, unable to concentrate, and do hard work, developing into a grave Public Health Crisis," he said.

Association of Physicians of India 9Malwa Branch has initiated a research project “To Evaluate Mobile Phone Use and its Level of Dependence: A Survey”, he added.

He added that pandemic, the lockdown and the resultant remote working conditions have drawn people more and more to their laptops and their mobile phones.

"This is ushering a new class of disease like computer related illnesses, Facebook syndrome or internet addiction affecting our physical, psychological functioning, mental health, and general well-being," he said. 

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