Computers and Eye Issues

[KayyEm]

Hello all. I am a 20 year old online college student and software developer who's nearsighted (L: -1.25, R: -1.75). About 4 months ago I was working on a project that required me to be at the computer 10-12 hours/day for about 2 months straight. After a month of intense computer work, I began having headaches, eye aches, etc until I woke up one day with one floater in both eyes that eventually increased to a few (which are now stable). I've had a series of eye exams by 3 different eye doctors, and recently (1 month ago) a thorough retinal/internal eye photographs taken. My doctor said that my eye was very healthy physically, and suggested I had dry eye. Presently, I still deal with floaters although I've gotten quite used to them and ignore them sometimes, but now I notice afterimages last longer and I notice them a little longer than normal. And most importantly, I notice streaks of light/halos and glare around lights at night. They don't hinder my driving much, but are annoying. Does this sound like a normal result of so much computer use/astigmatism? Before getting this job, I never had these issues. My doc is waiting to change my eyeglass prescription to see if Omega-3's will make an impact. Any suggestions or questions I could ask upon my next visit (few weeks from now). Thank you and God bless!

[Doreen Fazio, M.D.]

To the best of our knowledge, prolonged computer use does not damage the health of the eyes, but can cause some very annoying symptoms.  Try taking frequent breaks, perhaps every 20-30 minutes:  close your eyes for a bit, go get a sip of water, look away from the screen.  Decreasing the glare on the screen may certainly help.  Lowering the computer monitor will bring the upper lid down a little, so your eyes are not as wide open, and thus there is less evaporation of tears from the eye surface.  Also, we tend to stare and not blink as often when we are doing prolonged near activities, such as computer use.  Thus, taking frequent breaks, and blinking more often, will certainly help.  Occasional use of artificial tears (Optive, Systane, Blink) may be soothing.

[TurtleJoe]

Step 1. The biggest mistake made by Computer users is their lack of recognizing that high glare from the Computer screens is antagonistic to the EYES. Most Monitors have adjustment capabilities to reduce the brightness intensity and thereby the glare portion. Laptops are troublesome as the process is handled by tilting the screen for reduced direct glare in some cases. My personal example was serving time in a "Dark" Room Ambulance telephone incoming call center with screens with line on line of priority colored bands of account data. My trainer kissed me when her headaches disappeared after I lowered the intensity of her Monitor.
Step 2. Don't be afraid to visit an Ophthalmologist if this fails.

[Doreen Fazio, M.D.]

Two additional comments:  be sure that your glasses prescription is current and correct for your driving needs.  With your prescription, you are able to work at the computer without the glasses.  Also, if the flashes/floaters increase suddenly, see an ophthalmologist for a dilated retinal exam.