Computer Glasses?

computer-strainLet’s be honest…most of us spend a lot of time looking (staring, even) at our screens. If it’s not our phones or devices…it’s our computers!  For some of us, it’s what we get paid to do all day long at our jobs. But, did you know that a long day of staring at your computer screen can be really bad for your eyes?  And, even if you wear contact lenses, there’s an option that could help you?

Computer Vision Syndrome — sometimes called CVS — comes as a result of hours and hours of staring at a computer screen.  Most of us have experienced at least one of its symptoms at some point — tired eyes, eye strain, head or muscle aches, dry or itchy eyes, and feelings of fatigue.  If you wear contacts some of these feelings may be even worse as your lenses feel dry and uncomfortable after staring at a screen all day.  According to a study by the American Optometric Association, an estimated 50-90 percent of workers in jobs that require constant computer use suffer from CVS.

So what can you do to reduce CVS?

Some optometrists suggest taking frequent breaks but that’s not always possible if you are working under a deadline or get really busy.

How about another good option?  Enter: Computer glasses.  Yes, even if you wear contact lenses, wearing computer glasses, over your lenses, can help reduce your eye strain and other CVS symptoms.

What are computer glasses?

Well, they differ from your regular glasses or reading glasses because they are usually designed to help you specifically while you are at your computer.  Oftentimes the glasses are designed to work best when you are focusing at something in your intermediate zone of vision–or the same distance as your computer screen (generally about 20-26 inches away).  When you order computer glasses, they are designed as single vision lenses and are usually only good for sitting at the computer (in other words -you wouldn’t want to use them for driving!)

Another popular feature for computer glasses is an anti-reflective (AR) coating.  What this special lens coating does is eliminate the glare –or those reflections of light that bounce off your lenses and can cause additional strain.  Additionally, if you work in fluorescent lighting, your optometrist may suggest adding a light tint that would contrast with and even block some of the “blue” light that comes from your computer screen.

Wondering if computer glasses would help you? Make an appointment with your optometrist at your closest America’s Best and find out if computer glasses would work for you!

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