Delhi Witnesses A Spurt In Computer Vision Syndrome Among The Age Group Of 25-50 During Lockdown

Due to Coronavirus lockdown, people are working from their homes. Incessant screen time and binge-watching invited Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) in many patients. It is essential to rest your eyes while using any electronic gadget, take frequent breaks, and blink often.

Patient Sonal encountered Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) during lockdown because of work from home without taking frequent breaks. Those who work from home irrespective of age get more affected by this problem. She was advised to use lubrication drops to overcome the problem. Not treating at the right time could have damaged his/her cornea. Like this patient, many others may have been diagnosed with CVS.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) can be described as vision problems that cause redness, dryness, and itchiness of the eyes. Prolonged usage of digital devices can lead to CVS and one may feel uncomfortable and won’t be able to focus on the work. “During the lockdown, I have treated almost 50% of patients in the age group of 25-50. Continuous exposure to gadgets, binge eating while watching TV, poor lighting, poor posture while using gadgets, wrong angle while looking at the screen, not blinking the eyes, uncorrected vision problems, not taking frequent breaks, and screen glare can cause CVS,” said Dr Kartikeya Sangal, Ophthalmologist, Apollo Spectra Delhi.

Dr Sangal Added, “The symptoms of CVS are blurred vision, dry eyes, redness, itching, eye fatigue, headaches, eye tearing, watery eyes, and inability to open the eyes. Normally, a patient blinks 20-30 times in a minute. But, when one is working on a computer or a laptop, he/ she hardly blinks. It happens as the film of tears over the cornea dries up.”

It is the need of the hour to tackle CVS to ensure good eye health as not taking care can permanently damage one’s cornea. “Follow the 20:20 formula. Take a frequent break after 20 minutes of screen time for 20 seconds to reduce the dryness of the eyes. Blink frequently and use lubricant drops depending on your requirement to keep the eyes moist, maintain a proper distance, posture, and angle from the screen, use bigger fonts, use screen glare, and ensure proper lighting. Stay hydrated and take medications prescribed by the doctor,” concluded Dr Sangal.