When working at a computer for a period of time, it is common to experience eye strain, blurred vision, red eyes, and other symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). This is because the visual demands of computer work are different from those associated with most other activities.
If you are under 40, eye strain or blurred vision while working on a computer may be due to an inability of your eyes to stay focused precisely on your screen or because your eyes have difficulty moving from your keyboard to your screen and vice versa for long periods of time. These focusing (adaptive) problems are often associated with CVD.
If you’re over 40, the problem may be the onset of presbyopia – the normal loss of ability to concentrate closely with age. This too can cause CVS symptoms.
What can you do against blue light?
To get started, get a comprehensive eye exam to rule out vision problems and update your prescription for blue light blocking glasses. Studies show that even small inaccuracies in your prescription lenses can contribute to computer vision problems.
If your glasses are up to date (or you don’t need prescription glasses for most tasks) and you continue to experience eye discomfort while working at the computer, consider buying glasses for gaming or for screen. These special glasses are prescribed specifically to reduce eye strain and give you the most comfortable view possible at your computer.
Why choose gaming glasses for screen?
Gaming or monitor glasses differ from ordinary glasses in several ways to optimize your view when looking at your computer screen.
Children and young adults who need prescription blue light blocking glasses are usually prescribed single vision glasses. These lenses correct the wearer’s nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism, and the shape of the lens inside the eye automatically adjusts to provide the extra magnifying power needed for computer vision and near vision.
When a person’s near vision becomes less clear due to presbyopia after the age of 40, this natural age-related loss of concentration affects reading and seeing comfortably clear from a smartphone or laptop. ‘a computer. Bifocals can provide clear distance and near vision, but intermediate vision (needed for computer use and seeing your smartphone) is often still a problem. And progressive or trifocal lenses, while they offer some help with intermediate vision, often don’t have a large enough intermediate zone for comfortable computer work.
Without screen glasses, many computer users or gamers often end up with blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches – hallmark symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Worse still, many people try to compensate for their blurry vision by leaning forward or tilting their head to look through the bottom of their glasses. Both of these actions can lead to neck, shoulder, and back pain.
Although they are sometimes called « geek glasses », it is better to call glasses designed specifically for the computer « gamer glasses » or « screen glasses » to distinguish them from traditional reading glasses. Useful link: this comparator lists the best glasses for gamers and work without a prescription.
In general, computer glasses have about 60% of the magnifying power of reading glasses. But the optimal magnification depends on how far away you prefer to sit from your computer screen and how far away you like to hold your digital devices.
Screen glasses should also accurately correct any astigmatism you may have, and careful measurements should be taken to ensure that the optical center of each lens is directly in front of your pupils when using your preferred working distance.
For these reasons, computer glasses should be tailored to your individual needs. Using non-prescription reading glasses usually won’t give you the precise vision correction you need for lasting clarity and comfort.
Blue light blocking screen glasses put the optimal lens power where you need it for a clear, wide field of view without the need for excessive focusing effort or unhealthy postures. University research also shows that custom blue light blocking glasses can dramatically increase worker productivity.
