Computer Vision Syndrome: A Serious Eye Problem of Bloggers
Blogging is fun and sometimes, addictive. Let us admit it; we tend to abuse our selves especially our eyes. Unfortunately, blogging for two hours or more can cause Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS).
This may affect our mental and physical abilities that may lessen our productivity. Although some of you may have heard of this before, it is good to be reminded again. If this is your first time, then you should finish reading this. I read some articles about it and simplify them here.
Symptoms
1.0 Headaches
2.0 Temporary nearsightedness
3.0 Blurred and double vision.
4.0 Eye strain, dry eyes, and redness and watering of eyes.
5.0 Neck and back aches.
Main causes and countermeasures
Nature of computer screen
Characters or pixels on computer screens do not have well-defined edges. They are brightest at the center and diminish in intensity toward their edges, which makes our eyes difficult to maintain focus and remain fixed onto these images. Normal reading glasses cannot really help that much as reading a book has a distance of 16” ~ 21” while viewing a computer screen is 18”~28”. The best you can do is to seek assistance from eye experts and ophthalmologists.
Photo credit to Wikipedia
Lack of image clarity
Unclear images due to inappropriate monitor adjustment. This means you should adjust the brightness and contrast of the monitor, then test your self. If the white background of this page is light then it is too bright. If it looks gray and dull, then it is too dark. You can also upgrade your display. LCD screens just like on laptops are friendlier to the eyes than the old fashioned CRT (cathode ray tube) design. If you are using desk top computers, it is advisable to use a diagonal screen size of at least 19 inches.
Reflection and lighting
Glare from reflection and lights such as overhead lights, and improper location of computer table. The best you can do is to position your computer on the side of the windows instead at the back or in front. If you have window blinds, adjust them until sunlight is away form the computer screen. Do not put overhead lights directly on top of your computer. You can also install an anti-glare optically coated filter on your screen.
Infrequent blinking
Reduction of frequency of blinking of eyes is also a major factor. Normally, a person blinks at 15 times / min. but the blink rate lowers to 5 times / min when working on a computer. This problem needs a strong effort on your part. Here is a formula that is east to remember, 20-20-20. This means you should blink 20 times for every 20 seconds for every 20 minutes. It is also best to blink every time you hit the ENTER key, of when you click your mouse.
Ergonomics
Poor positioning of the computer table, chair, distance as well as the sitting position has great effects on our eyes and body. According to experts, the viewing angle from eye level to the middle of the screen should be about 20 degrees while the distance should be from 18” ~ 28”. You should also avoid placing the computer in front of an air conditioner while the air draft is facing you. To reduce fatigue, take a 5 minute break for every 30 minutes of computer work.
Hope we’ll see each other again!
Related posts:
How to Promote a Blog for Beginners: Part Three
How to Promote a Blog for Beginners: Part Two
How to Promote a Blog for Beginners: Part One
How to avoid your Subscribers to Unsubscribe to your Blog
How to Make Your Readers Post a Comment
Why Bloggers should Show their Pictures on their Blogs
Important Things to Know before Starting a Blog
What to do when you cannot think of a Good Post
How to Make your Post a Masterpiece
How to Convince your Visitors to Read your Blog Posts
A Good Effect of being a Patient Blogger
How to Blog like a Boxing Champ
What makes a Blogger quit
How to Motivate your self in Blogging
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Mel Avila Alarilla posted: 06 Sep at 8:47 am
Thank you so much for this post. I’m having my own problems with my eyes after long and continuous blogging. Sometimes my eyes get red and when I lie down, I immediately go off to sleep. This is because I shared the pc with my sons. Well, thanks for the warnings. Now I know what to do. Thanks for the post. God bless you always.
Angel Cuala posted: 06 Sep at 9:07 am
Don’t mention it, Mel. Actually, I also made this post as a reminder to me. A friend mentioned this syndrome to me so I made some research.
May GOD also bless you and your family!
Chris posted: 06 Sep at 7:11 pm
Hi there,
I saw your post in our forum. Thought I’d visit your site. Hoping to read more on your ideas.
Dorothy Stahlnecker posted: 07 Sep at 3:54 am
Another great post, and I’m taking the information serious and using it. I sometimes find my neck is stiff after blogging for long periods. I try to do stretching exercises Inow also have to consider my eyes….
Thanks Dorothy from grammology
Niche posted: 07 Sep at 8:42 pm
Great post, really useful infromation
Problem I find is when I get involved in what I am doing, I forget the 2 minute breaks
I could go for hours on end without moving from the PC. Hmmm
Joey posted: 09 Sep at 4:47 pm
Hi, Angel! You actually sound like me when I’m advising my patients. Great job!
I was planning on posting a similar article, since I see that problem often. Don’t worry, I won’t copy this but it will probably sound similar, except maybe for a little bit more medical info. Hope you won’t mind. 
Angel Cuala posted: 10 Sep at 7:19 am
Hi Doc Joey,
Actually, I was just about to inform you about this post because I know you’re the better person to make a post about this topic, you being an ophthalmologist.
I will be looking forward to your post.
Thanks for the usual support.
Credo posted: 17 Sep at 5:02 am
“Temporary nearsightedness; Blurred and double vision.”
Oh no.. That’s what I experienced lately.. I know it’s bcos I look to much on my notebook, but still.. can’t really avoid it..
Thanks for the post