Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey

Michigan's Leading Eye Care Physicians

Is Computer Vision Syndrome a Real Thing?

Grosinger Spigelman and Grey Computer Vision Syndrome

Many people’s lives are closely tied to electronic devices. From desktop computers to mobile phones, we’re often staring into bright screens – sometimes for hours. These handy little gadgets allow us to work, find entertainment, and connect with others. However, they can also cause problems with our eyes.

What Is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Computer Vision Syndrome, or Digital Eye Strain, refers to a list of eye problems that are caused by prolonged exposure to a mobile phone, tablet PC, or other computer. This occurs when the patient stares at a digital screen for a long period of time without a break. The longer the patient subjects their eyes to this type of activity, the worse discomfort will become. Common symptoms include:

  • Frequent headaches
  • Blurry vision
  • Eyestrain
  • Pain in the neck and shoulder
  • Dry eyes

How to Prevent Computer Vision Syndrome

The first thing you should do is give your eyes a break when viewing a screen. The average American employee looks at a computer for seven hours each day. The 20-20-20 rule should always be applied whether you’re working for an hour or several. This rule states that you should look at something that is 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds once every 20 minutes. This short break can help prevent the symptoms of Digital Eye Strain.

Also, make sure your workspace is eye-friendly. Make sure there is adequate lighting, and you are sitting the recommended distance away from your monitor or device. Use ergonomic seating and make sure you are wearing the correct prescription if you need glasses or contacts.

Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for an appointment.

Does Stress Affect Eyes?

Eye Michigan Does Stress Affect Eyes

Most people know that stress can have a negative impact on their health and wellbeing. It is often associated with headaches and fatigue. However, did you know that stress can also affect your vision?

Fight or Flight and Your Eyes

Stress can trigger certain reactions within your body. Long ago, these reactions would cause us to go into fight or flight mode to deal with a physical threat. Today, stress can be caused by many non-physical issues like an argument with a loved one or problems at work. Our bodies don’t differentiate between the different types of stress. Instead, they react the same way they used to: by producing adrenaline and other hormones.

If you sustain this state for a long time, it can cause eye problems. Constant dilation can bring on light sensitivity and strain. If you’re tense, you may tighten muscles in your face and around your eyes which can cause soreness. Common stress-related symptoms include:

  • Tunnel vision
  • Eye twitching
  • Light sensitivity
  • Blurred vision
  • Eye floaters
  • Eye strain

How Can I Reduce the Effects of Stress On My Eyes?

The first thing you should do if you notice stress-related symptoms is to find ways to relax. A warm bath, exercise, meditation, and deep, slow breathing can help. If you experience chronic stress, then you may need to see a doctor or therapist. If you notice any changes in your vision, contact Grosinger, Spiegelman & Grey ophthalmologists for an appointment.

Avoiding Eye Strain

Eye Michigan Eye Strain

For most people, eye strain is an annoyance. It is usually a temporary condition that is easy to correct by resting your eyes. When it happens, it can make you feel tired and reduce your ability to focus.

Symptoms of Eye Strain

The most common side effect of eye strain is blurred vision. This usually goes away once you give your eyes a rest. A number of other uncomfortable symptoms can also appear, including:

  • Burning or itching of the eyes
  • Dry or watery eyes
  • Neck, shoulder, and back soreness
  • An increase in light sensitivity
  • Inability to keep eyes open
  • Headaches

While symptoms are usually mild, they can cause irritation and affect your ability to complete certain tasks. For example, if you drive long distances, eye strain may hinder your ability to concentrate on what’s ahead of you. This can create a safety hazard that should be addressed before getting behind the wheel.

Causes of Eye Strain

A number of activities and behaviors can bring on eye strain. Some of these you probably do every day. Common causes include:

  • Staring at digital devices for extended periods of time
  • Reading without giving your eyes a break
  • Exposure to intense light or glare
  • Straining eyes to see in dim settings
  • Driving long distances without stopping
  • Experiencing stress or fatigue
  • Exposing eyes to moving air for a period of time

If you have questions about eye strain or if you experience symptoms that do not go away quickly, you should talk to a professional ophthalmologist. Contact Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey Michigan’s Leading Eye Care Physicians located in southeast Michigan to make an appointment.

Maintain or Improve Your Vision

Eye Michigan Checklist to Improve Your Vision

In this modern world in which we live, we use technology very often. That means we are staring at computer screens, tiny cell phone screens, and tablets. The text we read can often be too small, causing eye strain, or too stark in comparison with the brightly lit white screen in the background. To make matters worse, fluorescent lighting is usually used in our workplaces, so we are under artificial and excessively bright light for many hours of the day. The human eye can handle only so much exposure to the blue light that is emitted from LED screens and other light sources. Over time, eye strain can cause vision damage. Below are suggestions to improve this lifestyle problem.

  • Get blue-light blocking glasses. These are orange-tinted glasses that may also slightly magnify text to make it more readable.
  • Consider installing programs like “Flux” on your computer or using blue light filtering apps on your phone. This will tint the actual screen in such a way that it removes or reduces the blue light coming from the screen to your eyes.
  • Limit screen time and make sure to get your kids in the habit of doing the same.

Diet can play a strong role in healthy eyes for a lifetime. This is another change you can make to start improving your sight. Vitamins A, C, E, antioxidants, and minerals like copper and zinc are essential to eyesight. Add dark leafy greens, egg yolks, yellow peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, and other orange-colored produce and take Eye Vitamins to help prevent age-related Macular Degeneration issues.

  • Add foods rich in sulfur, cysteine, and lecithin to protect from cataract formation.
  • Berries can be helpful as an anti-inflammatory which can improve your vision.
  • DHA fatty acids will also support cell structure and membranes of the eyes.
  • Eye Vitamins have been proven clinically to aid in reducing vision loss from Macular Degeneration.

Try exercising your eyes. Just like any part of the physical body, moving your eyes and keeping yourself “in shape” will improve function in many cases. You might do these exercises in the morning or at night before bed, and they should not take you long.

  • Warm your eyes by vigorously rubbing your palms together and then place the base of the palms at the base of your eye sockets for a few seconds. You can repeat this a few times if you’d like.
  • Move your eyes through their range of motion. Roll them systematically, looking up and then moving 5-10 times to one direction, 5-10 times to the other direction.
  • Practice focusing your vision. Hold a pen or other object in front of you at arms-length and try to keep it in focus as you slowly move it towards the center of your eyes, until it is about 6 inches from your nose. Then move it back out. Do this about 10 times.
  • Massage your temples. Massage very gently all the way around your eye sockets and forehead. It feels good and stimulates the areas around the eyes.
  • Lastly, close the eyes for a few minutes and allow them time to rest.

These are a few ideas to get you started on healthy habits that will help keep your vision sharper, longer.

Your Eyes Need a Break

Eye Michigan Rest Your Eyes

Most of us spend many hours a day on our Smartphones, laptops and tablets causing eye strain. Take a break and rest your eyes. Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away.

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