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Ukrainians' eyesight suffers from computer syndrome

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
 
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09 January 2013, 10:14

In the world of high-speed Internet and high technologies, no one can imagine work or leisure without a computer. Thus, it turns out that a modern person spends at least 8 hours a day (a standard working day) in front of the screen. Free time also cannot do without technology: e-books, tablets, virtual friends... we have long been accustomed to communicating with a computer, which cannot have a positive effect on the health of the body.

Ophthalmologists conducted a study and found out that recently more and more residents of Ukraine are subject to the so-called "computer syndrome", which affects vision. Computer syndrome threatens those people who spend more than three hours a day at the computer, that is, more than 50% of the population of our country.

The first signs that you are suffering from computer syndrome are: redness of the eyes, sudden pain in the eyes, headache in the bridge of the nose, burning or itching, dryness in the eyes. These signs will be followed by an immediate deterioration in vision: if you notice that your vision has become worse, that it is more difficult to concentrate on small details, give your eyes a rest. If you already wear glasses and notice a deterioration, consult a specialist before ordering other lenses.

Experts have found out the reason for the deterioration of vision, the appearance of problems with the eyes of people who spend the working day at the computer. The fact is that being in front of the screen in a concentrated state (for example, during work or study), a person blinks 10-12 times less often compared to the time he spends not at the computer. Because of this, the outer shell of the eye dries out and is not sufficiently moistened by the lacrimal glands. More resourceful people save the situation with "artificial tears", while the rest suffer first from discomfort arising from dryness, and then from the fact that vision irreversibly declines.

Another reason why vision deteriorates is eye strain. When we work at a computer, the eye muscles are constantly tense, and this goes on for eight hours. As a result, the muscles become overtired, unpleasant pain sensations arise and, as a result, visual acuity decreases.

To prevent computer syndrome, which scientists have classified as a disease, follow a few recommendations:

  • Reduce the time you spend in front of the screen. If you are forced to work on the computer, try to find another activity in your free time.
  • Organize your workspace correctly: make sure there is good lighting, adjust the brightness of your monitor so that your eyes don't get tired. - eliminate glare on your monitor: make sure that daylight and light from lamps don't hit the screen.
  • Buy special glasses for working on the computer. As a rule, they have a protective and anti-glare effect.
  • try to step away from the screen every hour for at least five to seven minutes. Relax your eyes, go to the window, blink, do eye exercises. One of the simplest exercises that will help restore visual acuity: go to the window, move your gaze several times from a point on the window to the farthest point outside the window.

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