Computer Vision Syndrome

Computer vision syndrome has become a headache for thousands of companies around the world. Today, more than ever, employees spend hours behind their computers. Day after day, their vision is degraded due to computer vision syndrome; software, monitors and the exigencies of our modern world are the ones to be blamed.

So, what can be done? Let's learn more about computer syndrome vision and what can be done against it.

What Is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, is a direct consequence of spending too much time in front of a computer screen. In the first days of computers, when there were terminals and no personal computers, CVS was a headache for managers and the human resources management.

The displays of that era only showed green or orange letters in a pitch black background. The users of these dumb terminals (they were considered dumb since they weren't able to do anything, all the information was retrieved from a server) had to somehow, withstand the multiple consequences of CVS.

However, a company saw a business opportunity and decided to create a product that could reduce the amount of radiation emitted by monitors. That is how 3M launched its line of filters and glasses. After many years, these products have gone almost into misuse due to the newer technologies and the changes that the computer manufacturers have implemented in their displays.

Although that should have been the end of CVS, it wasn't. People began to spend more and more time in front of computers. Now it wasn't only useful for retrieving data, but also for processing it. And, with the advent of the internet, employees have become slaves of the electronic mail.

They may spend an entire day answering them. Add to that fact that additional activities like real time communication (chat), trainings and videoconferences are now realized with computers. So, it doesn't matter how low the emissions of the displays are if we spend too much time looking at them.

As a consequence, employees of all levels suffer from headaches, eye pain, sickness, neck pain and fatigue. In order to stop computer vision syndrome, diagnosis, treatment and a follow up needs to be performed by the affected person. It is the responsibility of the employee to let know his employer the state of his condition.

Continue to: Treatment of Computer Vision Syndrome

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