Digital eye syndrome Today, digital screens are an integral part of our lives and have become one of the main needs of life, but don't forget that your eyes also need rest. A set of symptoms and problems caused by long-term use of computers and other digital screens such as mobile phones and tablets is called computer vision syndrome (CVS), also known as digital eye syndrome. This syndrome affects both children and adults and its prevalence is increasing. Working and focusing for long periods of time with digital screens puts a lot of strain on the eye muscles, especially the muscles responsible for the adaptation process. Therefore, long-term activity with screens can cause muscle fatigue and a heavy feeling in the eyes. Therefore, to prevent this syndrome, we must take precautions when using the computer to prevent further damage. Symptoms of computer eye syndrome Symptoms of computer eye syndrome may vary from person to person. In general, the main symptoms of digital eye syndrome include eye fatigue, back, neck and shoulder pain, blurred vision and double vision, redness and dry eyes, and headache. These symptoms usually improve by reducing the use of screens. Causes of digital eye syndrome - ### Long-term use of digital displays: The most important cause of computer eye syndrome is the long-term and uninterrupted use of digital screens. Due to long-term concentration, people unconsciously blink less and this causes dry eyes. - ### Inappropriate ambient light: Ambient light should shine indirectly on the screen. Direct light shining on the screen causes dazzling light reflection and puts a lot of pressure on the eyes. - ### Display settings of digital screens: Very low or high brightness of the screen, illegible and small fonts, and inappropriate contrast, cause pressure on the eyes, fatigue and other damages caused by working with the monitor. - ### Uncorrected vision problems: CVS syndrome is more likely to occur in people with untreated eye problems such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. These people have to make more effort to see digital screens clearly, which causes fatigue and a lot of strain on the eyes. **Read more: What you need to know about “irregular astigmatism”** - ### exposure to blue light: Prolonged exposure to blue light emitted from screens can lead to computer eye syndrome and aggravate the resulting symptoms. Also, blue light at night can cause sleep disturbances. Of course, there is no scientific evidence that blue light is harmful to the eyes, and the use of blue light filtering glasses (blue control) does not necessarily reduce the symptoms of computer eye syndrome. - ### Improper position of the screen: Incorrect adjustment of the angle and distance of the screen from the eyes causes eye fatigue from the computer and pain in the neck and shoulder areas. Some recommendations to prevent digital eye syndrome Reducing the time spent on digital screens is the best way to prevent computer eye syndrome. But if you have to use it, you can reduce the possibility of getting computer eye syndrome and related symptoms and keep your eyes healthy by taking simple measures. ### 1. Setting the location of the screen: The screen should be placed at a distance of 50 to 70 cm from the eyes, and about 15 to 20 degrees below the eye level. ### 2. Display settings of digital screens: The brightness of the screen and its contrast should match the ambient light so as not to put too much pressure on the eyes. It is also better that the font size is readable on a large screen. ### 3. Adjusting the ambient light: The ambient light should not hit the screen directly, because the dazzling light reflection from the screen will make the eyes tired from the computer. ### 4. Using eye drops: Using artificial tear drops can keep the surface of the eye moist and reduce the possibility of dry eye and its related problems. ### 5. Ergonomic position of the body: The correct sitting position should be such that the head and neck do not bend forward, down or up and the eyes are at the right angle to the screen. ### 6. Using the 20-20-20 rule: When using digital screens, look 20 feet (about 6 meters) away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes to reduce eye strain and fatigue. Taking regular breaks and taking enough rest will prevent eye damage caused by the monitor. ### 7. Continuous blinking: Those who use digital screens a lot, unconsciously blink less and this causes evaporation of tears on the surface of the eye, resulting in dryness. If you have to use digital screens for a long time, don't forget to blink and blink regularly. ### 8. Using contact lenses and corrective glasses: If you have vision problems such as myopia, farsightedness or astigmatism, be sure to use contact lenses or corrective glasses to minimize the symptoms of computer eye syndrome. Treatment of digital eye syndrome In general, there is no definitive treatment for digital eye syndrome. But by following preventive measures, the symptoms of this syndrome can be reduced and vision can be improved. The first step to treat and reduce the symptoms of computer eye syndrome is to reduce the time spent on digital screens and take enough breaks while using them. Regular breaks and adequate rest will reduce eye fatigue from the computer and improve the symptoms of computer eye syndrome. Treatment of digital eye syndrome is especially important in people who are at increased risk of developing computer eye due to uncorrected vision problems. These people can reduce the symptoms caused by CVS syndrome by visiting an ophthalmologist regularly and diagnosing and treating vision problems. One of the treatments to reduce the symptoms of digital eye syndrome in people with uncorrected vision problems is to use contact lenses or corrective glasses. Also, these people can use laser procedures to correct refractive errors such as **femtolysic**, Femto Smile and PRK. By carrying out the mentioned treatment measures and correcting vision in people who have untreated eye diseases, the symptoms of computer eye syndrome and the possibility of their recurrence can be reduced. **Conclusion** Computer eye syndrome is one of the common problems of the digital age, which refers to symptoms caused by long-term use of digital screens, and eye fatigue and headaches are the most common symptoms. By reducing screen time and taking regular breaks while working, digital eye syndrome is eliminated or causes fewer problems. If a person has to use digital screens for a long time, he should take measures to improve the work environment and modify the habits of using the screens to avoid monitor damage to the eyes and computer eye syndrome.