Need help solving computer related eye problem

I've been staring at computer screens for 12 years just fine, often
many hours a day, until about a year ago. Since then, after about 4
minutes of looking at the screen, my eyes feel like...well, they feel
like when you look out from the extreme corners of your eyes for a
long period of time, only this happens when I'm looking straight at
the screen. My veins in my eyes become quite red and noticeable. My
eyes will remain like this (both hurting and red) for many hours after
I'm done with the computer.

I've tried using different monitors: a CRT and an LCD (both are
adjusted properly regarding contrast and brightness) and adjusted the
height of the screens. I have taken breaks for many days at a time
where I wouldn't look at a computer screen, only to find that when I
came back my eyes would still hurt after a few minutes. I've even worn
sunglasses while using the computer to make sure it wasn't the
brightness. I saw my optometrist a week ago for an eye exam, and he
said everything looked normal. Quite frankly, I don't know what to do.
If I don't get this fixed I will definitely have to change my career,
as I simply can't bare looking at a computer screen anymore.

On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:07:40 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>I've been staring at computer screens for 12 years just fine, often
>many hours a day, until about a year ago. Since then, after about 4
>minutes of looking at the screen, my eyes feel like...well, they feel
>like when you look out from the extreme corners of your eyes for a
>long period of time, only this happens when I'm looking straight at
>the screen. My veins in my eyes become quite red and noticeable. My
>eyes will remain like this (both hurting and red) for many hours after
>I'm done with the computer.
>
>I've tried using different monitors: a CRT and an LCD (both are
>adjusted properly regarding contrast and brightness) and adjusted the
>height of the screens. I have taken breaks for many days at a time
>where I wouldn't look at a computer screen, only to find that when I
>came back my eyes would still hurt after a few minutes. I've even worn
>sunglasses while using the computer to make sure it wasn't the
>brightness. I saw my optometrist a week ago for an eye exam, and he
>said everything looked normal. Quite frankly, I don't know what to do.
>If I don't get this fixed I will definitely have to change my career,
>as I simply can't bare looking at a computer screen anymore.

Though I'm not an eye doctor, I have a couple of ideas that you may
consider:

1) you could have mild dry eyes. "Staring" at computer screens
involves reduced blinking. That leads to dryness. Find an
over-the-counter, PRESERVATIVE-FREE lubricant drop (pick one) and try
it for two weeks. At the same time, TRY to increase the frequency of
your blink rate;

2) When you say that the optometrist said "everything looked normal,"
did he say that you do not need reading glasses? How old are you? Do
you wear any kind of corrective lenses already? If so, what is the
prescription? Did he "dilate" your eyes to measure your eyesight?

What I'm getting at here is that your eyes may simply be getting
older, and your "accommodative amplitudes" (ability to shift focus
from far to near) may be diminishing ... as they do, normally. If
this is the case, you might simply need reading glasses for computer
work.

3) Did they evaluate the alignment of your eyes (follow the light ...
up ... down ... left ... right, and a "cover test" where they cover
one eye, then pull the cover away, then cover the other eye, then pull
the cover away)?

4) is your work space well set up for ergonomics and visual hygiene?
(easily googled)?

Please provide some more detail about #'s 2 and 3 above. I'm sure the
friendly, neighborhood eye docs will give their input ;-)

Neil

Forgot to mention that this doesn't happen while I'm watching TV on
any of my TV's, but it does still occur If I'm watching a video on my
computer.

On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:17:01 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) wrote:

>Forgot to mention that this doesn't happen while I'm watching TV on
>any of my TV's, but it does still occur If I'm watching a video on my
>computer.

Same answers/questions apply, then ;-)

I'm 21 years old and myopic. I do wear glasses for it. I can't find my
prescription at the moment, I'll post it when I find it. He tested for
everything you mentioned and my prescription remains unchanged.

> Though I'm not an eye doctor, I have a couple of ideas that you may
> consider:
>
> 1) you could have mild dry eyes. "Staring" at computer screens
> involves reduced blinking. That leads to dryness. Find an
> over-the-counter, PRESERVATIVE-FREE lubricant drop (pick one) and try
> it for two weeks. At the same time, TRY to increase the frequency of
> your blink rate;
>
> 2) When you say that the optometrist said "everything looked normal,"
> did he say that you do not need reading glasses? How old are you? Do
> you wear any kind of corrective lenses already? If so, what is the
> prescription? Did he "dilate" your eyes to measure your eyesight?
>
> What I'm getting at here is that your eyes may simply be getting
> older, and your "accommodative amplitudes" (ability to shift focus
> from far to near) may be diminishing ... as they do, normally. If
> this is the case, you might simply need reading glasses for computer
> work.
>
> 3) Did they evaluate the alignment of your eyes (follow the light ...
> up ... down ... left ... right, and a "cover test" where they cover
> one eye, then pull the cover away, then cover the other eye, then pull
> the cover away)?
>
> 4) is your work space well set up for ergonomics and visual hygiene?
> (easily googled)?
>
> Please provide some more detail about #'s 2 and 3 above. I'm sure the
> friendly, neighborhood eye docs will give their input ;-)
>
> Neil- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Found my prescription

OD:
Sphere -2.25
Cyl -0.50
Axis 115

OS:
Sphere -2.75

Hello!!

On Jun 27, 10:07 pm, apogeemon...@yahoo.com wrote:
> I've been staring at computer screens for 12 years just fine, often

You mutsnt stare, it's very bad!

> many hours a day, until about a year ago. Since then, after about 4
> minutes of looking at the screen, my eyes feel like...well, they feel
> like when you look out from the extreme corners of your eyes for a
> long period of time, only this happens when I'm looking straight at
> the screen. My veins in my eyes become quite red and noticeable. My
> eyes will remain like this (both hurting and red) for many hours after
> I'm done with the computer.
>
> I've tried using different monitors: a CRT and an LCD (both are
> adjusted properly regarding contrast and brightness) and adjusted the
> height of the screens. I have taken breaks for many days at a time
> where I wouldn't look at a computer screen, only to find that when I
> came back my eyes would still hurt after a few minutes. I've even worn
> sunglasses while using the computer to make sure it wasn't the
> brightness. I saw my optometrist a week ago for an eye exam, and he
> said everything looked normal. Quite frankly, I don't know what to do.
> If I don't get this fixed I will definitely have to change my career,
> as I simply can't bare looking at a computer screen anymore.

You can get better, if you blink more!!

Never forget of blinking, otherwise you will not get better!

Therewore you have 2 blink lots.

On Jun 28, 2:07 am, apogeemon...@yahoo.com wrote:
> I've been staring at computer screens for 12 years just fine, often
> many hours a day, until about a year ago. Since then, after about 4
> minutes of looking at the screen, my eyes feel like...well, they feel
> like when you look out from the extreme corners of your eyes for a
> long period of time, only this happens when I'm looking straight at
> the screen. My veins in my eyes become quite red and noticeable. My
> eyes will remain like this (both hurting and red) for many hours after
> I'm done with the computer.
>
> I've tried using different monitors: a CRT and an LCD (both are
> adjusted properly regarding contrast and brightness) and adjusted the
> height of the screens. I have taken breaks for many days at a time
> where I wouldn't look at a computer screen, only to find that when I
> came back my eyes would still hurt after a few minutes. I've even worn
> sunglasses while using the computer to make sure it wasn't the
> brightness. I saw my optometrist a week ago for an eye exam, and he
> said everything looked normal. Quite frankly, I don't know what to do.
> If I don't get this fixed I will definitely have to change my career,
> as I simply can't bare looking at a computer screen anymore.

Hi,
Read and refresh.Need not change your career for this.

Many of you have jobs that require you to work on the computer. These
strenuous computer-intensive work conditions have given rise to what
is known as Computer Vision Syndrome.

DON'T MISS: Eye care tips for computer users
Dr Amar Agarwal, a practising ophthalmologist (eye specialist) based
inChennai, says that this occurs "when there is a shortening of tear
break up time. In other words, tears that form a defensive film over
the eyes start drying up. This occurs when the eyes are open and
looking into the monitor for too long. The tears evaporate from the
eyes faster, causing the eyes to dry up."

CVS could lead to various eye problems.

A good workout? Only 20 minutes
i. Eyestrain

Eyestrain, which is a common problem, mostly occurs when we are
working on something for a long time without taking adequate breaks.
It can be caused by activities such as watching television, working on
the computer, reading a book or studying for long hours. In such
cases, your eye muscles are working hard to help you focus.

During these times, your inner eye muscles tighten up, causing your
eyes to get irritated, dry up and feel uncomfortable. In addition,
lack of sleep, fatigue, poor lighting and an incorrect posture (such
as slouching on your chair), can aggravate eyestrain.

Symptoms include a mild headache, coupled with irritated/ smarting
eyes. You might also find it difficult to focus after a prolonged
session of reading or looking at your computer screen.

Prevention: Apart from placing your monitor 25 inches away from where
you sit, tilt it a little below eye level. How does this help? Dr
Belvi says, "When your eyes are looking down at a lower level, they
are opened less as compared to when you look directly into a monitor
tilted at a higher level. Thus, keeping the monitor at a lower level
helps minimise evaporation of moisture from your eyes."

Opt for LCD/ plasma monitors as they are more soothing, compared to
cathode ray tube monitors. "LCD or plasma monitors are technologically
more advanced. As a result, the pixilated picture quality and colour
contrast are soothing to the eyes. Compared to that, cathode ray tube
monitors are harsh on the eyes as they display focused light on the
eyes," he adds.

You can also set the lighting and brightness of your monitor to a
lower glare, as per your comfort level.

Do or diet? Tips that can't go wrong!
ii. Dry Eyes

This problem can be worse for those who wear contact lenses to work on
a daily basis. Dry eyes occur when our blink rate declines
considerably while working on a computer. More so since we are looking
straight ahead into the monitor, as compared to desk work where we
look down at our books/ files.

The very act of looking into a monitor without blinking results in
tear evaporation. An air-conditioned office environment also
contributes to this problem, dehydrating our eyes and causing them to
itch.

Some of the basic symptoms of dry eyes are a feeling of dryness and
irritation, a gritty/ grainy feeling in the eyes, a blurring of
vision, redness, feeling a strain on the eyes, general stress, an
intolerance to light, and headaches.

Prevention: Follow certain precautions like keeping a minimum distance
of 25 inches from the screen.

Fix an antiglare screen on your monitor.Anti Reflection Coating on the
Lens.

Take regular visual breaks lasting few minutes, at intervals of 20
minutes -- such as looking away from the screen for about a minute and
then getting back to work. This will help your eyes focus better.

Blink your eyes several times so they are nourished with tears.

Use preservative-free re-wetting eye drops; these can be safely used
even by those of you who wear contact lenses.

Wanna lose weight? Dance!
iii. Vision related headaches

Most of us have suffered from vision related headaches. These signal
eyestrain and are usually caused by improper workplace conditions.
Glare from the computer screen and poor lighting are some of the main
culprits. Some of the main symptoms include headaches that occur
mostly toward the front part of your head or forehead, and you finding
yourself pressing the point between your eyes and upper part of your
nose.

Prevention: If at home, have lemon tea. If at work, try a hot cup of
tea, as it helps soothe headaches.

"The best thing is to get some rest for yourself and for your eyes,"
suggests Dr Amar,

Part I: Eye care tips for computer users

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Take care and do not worry about it.

On Jun 28, 2:07 am, apogeemon...@yahoo.com wrote:
> I've been staring at computer screens for 12 years just fine, often
> many hours a day, until about a year ago. Since then, after about 4
> minutes of looking at the screen, my eyes feel like...well, they feel
> like when you look out from the extreme corners of your eyes for a
> long period of time, only this happens when I'm looking straight at
> the screen. My veins in my eyes become quite red and noticeable. My
> eyes will remain like this (both hurting and red) for many hours after
> I'm done with the computer.
>
> I've tried using different monitors: a CRT and an LCD (both are
> adjusted properly regarding contrast and brightness) and adjusted the
> height of the screens. I have taken breaks for many days at a time
> where I wouldn't look at a computer screen, only to find that when I
> came back my eyes would still hurt after a few minutes. I've even worn
> sunglasses while using the computer to make sure it wasn't the
> brightness. I saw my optometrist a week ago for an eye exam, and he
> said everything looked normal. Quite frankly, I don't know what to do.
> If I don't get this fixed I will definitely have to change my career,
> as I simply can't bare looking at a computer screen anymore.
Hi
One more for you.
Computer vision syndrome is a common complaint of office workers more
prevalent in the last years due to the widespread use of computers and
video display terminals (VDT?s). Common symptoms include sore and
irritated eyes, dry eyes, headaches and blurry vision. But
fortunately, there are many ways to enhance your work environment to
help prevent computer vision syndrome.

Computer images are made up of tiny dots that do not give a clear
image so your eyes are forced to focus and re-focus continually. This
is one of the main reasons that computer work is so straining on the
eyes.

Ensure that you are working with a good quality computer screen and
make sure the resolution is set high as high as possible for your
work.

Force yourself to blink more often than usual and use mild lubricating
drops if you experience dry eyes. Take ?eye breaks ? at least every 20
minutes by looking away from the screen and focusing on something in
the distance for at least 20 seconds.

Ensure that the lighting at your workstation is appropriate for
working at the computer. Make sure there are no bright lights shining
into your eyes or your computer screen. Don?t make the mistake of
having too much light. Too many light sources within one space will
distract your eyes from the screen and cause glare on your screen.

Make sure that neither you nor your screen are facing a window.

If glare is a problem try changing the position of your desk. Hang
pictures or temporary walls to eliminate other sources of light.

Reflections can be very straining for the eyes. Two types of
reflections exist, diffuse and blocking. Diffuse reflections are those
reflections caused by a reduction in the contrast of text presented on
the screen. Low contrast makes it difficult for the eyes to focus.
Blocking reflections block out parts of the screen, which forces you
to move in order to see the object.

Reflections can be prevented by either using anti-reflection filters
on the screen or by eliminating the reflection source. If too much
light is coming in through the window, used blinds or curtains. Always
try out different positions. It is often the case that computer users
are not even aware of the discomfort they are experiencing because
they have become so ?used to it?.

The positioning of the monitor in respect to your posture can make all
the difference in the world. The computer screen should be at an angle
of 0 to 20 degrees from a straight visual line looking down slightly.
And keep your screen 50-60 cm away from your face.

Computer glasses

If you are over 40 chances are that you already use glasses. And if
you already wear glasses or contact lenses it is not guaranteed that
you might not need separate glasses for working at the computer
screen. Those who wear bifocals or trifocals are often forced to move
their heads so that they can see the screen through the right section
of the glasses. Glasses and contacts usually correct near and far
vision and sometimes both but rarely do they correct the mid-range
needed for a computer screen. Even if you wear contact lenses you may
still benefit from computer glasses.

Computer glasses provide a wide field of view so that users can
clearly read their screen and printed material that are at different
distances and correct the distance held looking at a computer screen.

Tinted glasses are also available to help prevent glare from computer
screens and surplus lighting (not needed but cannot be switched off).

If you are experiencing eye problems while working at a computer
screen it is a good idea to see your eyecare specialist for a thorough
eye exam and ask him/her for their recommendations.

Summary of Steps for Preventing CVS



Use good quality monitor

Set resolution high

Make an effort to blink your eyes more often

Ensure proper lighting at your workstation

Don?t have you or screen facing a window

Eliminate any sources of glare in the office

Angle your computer slightly below eye level

Position your monitor 50 to 60 cm away from your eyes

See your eyecare specialist for an eye checkup to determine if you
need computer glasses.

> As a myope, you can eliminate many "CVS" problems by taking off your glasses
> and working at 35 cm.

It happens with and without my glasses.

> Does it change if you try another monitor in the same place?

Yes.

> Does it happen at other computers in other places?

Yes.

> Did you buy new carpet or a new chair a year ago?

No.

> Did you start or stop any prescription medicines a year ago?

No.

> What changed?

Nothing, as much as I can remember.

I bought lubricating eye drops yesterday and tried them out. The only
preservative free eye drops I found out were Genteal Mild, so I got
those. They seemed to help for a few hours yesterday when I put them
in before using the computer. Today, I was on my pc for a bit prior to
the drops, thus my eyes hurt right now and I can't really tell if it's
a case of dry eyes. I'll continue with the drops for a while and see
if thats the problem.