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Computer Vision Syndrome

Adolescents who spend a lot of time on the computer may be at risk of developing eye stain or "computer vision syndrome." According to the American Optometric Association, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) describes a group of eye and vision related problems that result from prolonged computer use

The most common symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) are:

  • eyestrain
  • headaches
  • blurred vision
  • dry eyes
  • neck and shoulder pain

These symptoms may be caused by:

  • poor lighting
  • glare on the computer screen
  • improper viewing distances
  • poor seating posture
  • uncorrected vision problems
  • a combination of these factors

Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for extended periods. The level of discomfort increases with the amount of computer use. Some of the short-term effects of eye strain and computer use are well documented but as to whether computer screens cause permanent damage over time, the data has not been conclusive.

Many of the visual symptoms experienced by computer users are only temporary and will fade away after stopping computer work. However, when individuals experience continued visual problems, such as blurred distance vision, even after stopping work at a computer then it is possible that there could be an underlying eye disorder that is made worse by prolonged exposure to computer screen. If you are having regular difficulty with your eye sight you should be seen by an Ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who is specialized in eye and vision care.)

Some important factors in preventing or reducing the symptoms of CVS have to do with the computer and how it is used:

  • Location of computer screen - Most people find it more comfortable to view a computer when the eyes are looking downward. Optimally, the computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below eye level (about 4 or 5 inches) as measured from the center of the screen and 20 to 28 inches from the eyes.
  • Reference materials - These materials should be located above the keyboard and below the monitor. If this is not possible, a document holder can be used beside the monitor. The goal is to position the documents so you do not need to move your head to look from the document to the screen.
  • Lighting - Position the computer screen to avoid glare, particularly from overhead lighting or windows. Use blinds or drapes on windows and replace the light bulbs in desk lamps with bulbs of lower wattage.
  • Anti-glare screens - If there is no way to minimize glare from light sources, consider using a screen glare filter. These filters decrease the amount of light reflected from the screen.
  • Seating position - Chairs should be comfortably padded and conform to the body. Chair height should be adjusted so your feet rest flat on the floor. If your chair has arms, they should be adjusted to provide arm support while you are typing. Your wrists shouldn't rest on the keyboard when typing.
  • Rest breaks - To prevent eyestrain, try to rest your eyes when using the computer for long periods. Rest your eyes for 15 minutes after two hours of continuous computer use. Also, for every 20 minutes of computer viewing, look into the distance for 20 seconds to allow your eyes a chance to refocus.
  • Blinking - To minimize your chances of developing dry eye when using a computer, make an effort to blink frequently. Blinking keeps the front surface of your eye moist. You can also use liquid tears as needed--avoid the red out variety since you will end up with a rebound feature.

Some exercises have been developed that may help relieve eye strain. One such exercise, called palming, involves covering the eyes with the palms of the hands for about three minutes. The eyes should be so tightly covered that nothing is visible. This exercise should be repeated until the eyes no longer feel tired. Another exercise that may help relieve eye strain involves closing the eyes and keeping them closed for about nine seconds, and then repeating the process about a dozen times. Eye exercises are generally easy to do and can be performed most anywhere. They are believed to force the eyes to rest, and may induce the eyes to produce their own lubrication.

Changes in eyesight (nearsightedness) can appear at any time in life that is unrelated to computer use.  If your parents need glasses for distance, there is a good chance that you will too.  In any case, getting examined by an ophthalmologist is the best way to go.

Teens often abuse prescription drugs because of the myth that these drugs provide a medically safe high.

It is estimated that major depressive disorder (MDD) affects about 5% of adolescents, and that between 10 - 15% of adolescents have some symptoms of depression at any one time.

Statistics show that giving a teen a credit card does not teach them to be financially responsible or to encourage self-restraint, but actually promotes a “spend now and deal with the consequences later” mindset.

Girls are more likely to intentionally abuse prescription drugs than boys.

The reality of excessive interest rates and fees that often accompany credit card use for teens, can put youngsters in a position where they are losing out on admission to graduate school, getting a job, or renting an apartment because of damaged credit history.

Less than 33% of teens with depression get help, yet 80% of teens with depression can be successfully treated if they seek help from a doctor or therapist.

Traffic crashes are the greatest single cause of death for all persons age 6-33, and about 45% of these fatalities are alcohol-related crashes.

About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.

30% of teens with depression also have a substance abuse problem.

Freshmen bring an average of $1,585.00 in credit card debt to college.

About a third of women who seek services related to unprotected sex, such as pregnancy testing or emergency contraception, do not receive STD counseling, testing, or treatment.

7-10% of college students will drop out of school because of credit problems.

Teens with untreated depression are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, leading to higher rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Most smokers begin smoking as teens, and the average age of initiation is 12.5 years of age.

People with manic symptoms and Bipolar Disorder II are at a significant risk of later developing an alcohol abuse or dependence problem.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for 36% of all deaths in this age group.

While 93% of teenage women report that their first intercourse was voluntary, one-quarter of these young women report that it was unwanted. 7

A comprehensive review of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 suggests that the benefits of antidepressant medications likely outweigh their risks to children and adolescents with major depressive and anxiety disorders.

Adolescents are more likely than young adults to become dependent on prescription medications.

At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives.

Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don’t, yet only 1 in 4 teens report having these conversations. 

The teen pregnancy rate in the United States is the highest of any industrialized democracy, nearly twice that of Great Britain and 10 times that of Japan. 4

Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use, and male high school students are more likely than female students to rarely or never wear seat belts.

A national study of women ages 15-44 found that women were almost twice as likely to receive contraceptive services rather than STD services.

The teenage pregnancy rate in the U.S. is at its lowest level in thirty years, down 36% since its peak in 1990. Research suggests that both increased abstinence and positive changes in contraceptive practice are responsible these recent declines in teen pregnancy.

A sexually active teenager who does not use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within one year. 8

In the United States, at least 5-10 million girls and women and 1 million boys and men are struggling with eating disorders. 11

Among male drivers between 15 and 20 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2005, 38% were speeding at the time of the crash and 24% had been drinking.

Homicide is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds overall. 16

Every two minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted. 22

One in four teenage girls in the U.S. had at least one common sexually transmitted disease.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youths ages 15 to 20. 19

The highest Chlamydia rates occurred among women ages 15 to 19 and 20 to 24.

About 44% of rape victims are under age 18. Three out of every twenty victims (15%) are under age 12. 25

Each year, half of all HIV infections are among people under the age of 25.

Crash risk is particularly high during the first year that teenagers are eligible to drive.

One out of every six American women have been the victims of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. A total of 17.7 million women have been victims of these crimes. 23

Teen girls ages 15-19 have the highest Gonorrhea rate of any age group.

The motor vehicle death rate for male drivers and passengers ages 16-19 is more than one and half times that of their female counterparts.

More than four in 10 young women become pregnant at least once before they reach the age of 20 - nearly one million a year teen pregnancies a year 3

The presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers; the risk increases with the number of teen passengers.

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in this country. More than 400,000 Americans die from tobacco-related causes each year, and most of them began using tobacco before the age of 18.

The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group.

Underage drinking costs the U.S. more than $58 billion every year; enough to buy every public school student a state-of-the-art computer. 

At all levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), the risk of involvement in a motor vehicle crash is greater for teens than for older drivers.

Teens who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crimes and sexual assault, have serious problems in school, be involved in drinking-related traffic crashes, and develop problems with alcohol later in life.

Nearly all the poison deaths in the U.S. are attributed to drugs, and most drug poisonings result from the abuse of prescription and illegal drugs.

Alcohol kills 6.5 times more youth than all other illicit drugs combined.

Persons aged 15-24, who represent only 14% of the U.S. population, account for 30% ($19 billion) of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries among males and 28% ($7 billion) among females.

Among young people ages 12-17, prescription drugs have become the second most abused illegal drug, behind marijuana.

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