The Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is no myth

Our increasingly digital lifestyle means more and more screen time, with health consequences. From an ophthalmological point of view, myopia in children and computer vision syndrome are particularly problematic.

Computer Vision Syndrome: Effects of digital screen time and therapeutic approaches

The term Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is used to describe a group of symptoms that can be caused by prolonged focusing on a digital screen. It covers a wide range of non-specific symptoms. These include:

According to Erdinest N. et al., 90% of computer users (with ≥ 3 hours of screen time) suffer from CVS.3

Screen time in schools and universities

In 2022, a Saudi Arabian study was published on the prevalence of CVS in school-age children (ages 6 to 18 years; n = 440) and its associated signs and risk factors. The study showed a CVS prevalence of 35.4%. The research team identified age, gender and school level as significant risk factors for the development of CVS (p < 0.05 for all). In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) was also observed here.4 Among students, too, constant computer use has become an increasing health risk associated with this technology (mobile phones and tablets). A survey of symptoms of computer vision syndrome with a total of 400 participants with a mean age of 22.5 years revealed that around 20% of respondents suffered from various ophthalmological symptoms. 9% of the students surveyed also reported eye pain. 8% suffered from sicca symptoms. Epiphora and eye redness occurred in 6% of those surveyed.1

Headaches can originate in the eyes

Professor Dr. med. Wolf Lagrèze told the German Science Information Service (In German: Informationsdienst Wissenschaft) that headaches can originate in the visual strain on the visual apparatus. He advised frequent ventilation, regular and conscious blinking, taking breaks from looking at the screen, and having vision problems corrected with visual aids.5

Omega-3 and carotenoid supplementation helps with CVS

A review of the management of CVS published in 2022 evaluated the efficacy and safety of various measures for treating eye strain associated with computer use. The therapeutic interventions were compared with placebo or no therapy. A total of 4497 participants (45 RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. The results were quite sobering: neither the use of multifocal lenses (compared to single-vision lenses), nor the use of blue light filter glasses, nor the oral intake of berry extracts improved the visual fatigue and sicca symptoms associated with CVS (compared to placebo). One ray of hope had been the oral omega-3 supplementation: After a period of 45 days to 3 months of intake, an improvement in sicca symptoms was observed (in 2 RCT; p < 0.00001). Positive results were also observed for fusion frequency (FF) compared to placebo with oral carotenoid supplementation (in 2 RCT; p = 0.007).6

Eye drops containing hyaluronic acid help with dry eye symptoms (CVS symptoms)

A meta-analysis from 2021 evaluated the effectiveness of eye drops with hyaluronic acid (HA), saline solution and conventional artificial tears for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. HA eye drops significantly improved tear production compared to non-HA-based eye drops.7

Conclusion for practitioners

For CVS, the following helps:

Sources
  1. Alamri A. et al. (2022). J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 Sep;11(9):5110-5115.
  2. [In German] https://hl-journal.de/viereckige-augen-ursachen-und-behandlungsmoeglichkeiten/#:~:text=Ursprung%20des%20Ausdrucks%20‚Viereckige%20Augen'&text=Es%20wird%20angenommen%2C%20dass%20der,oft%20nur%20schwarz%2Dweiße%20Bilder.
  3. Erdinest N. et al. (2021). [COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME]. Harefuah. 2021 Jun;160(6):386-392. 
  4. Abuallut I. et al. (2022). Prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome among School-Age Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Children (Basel). 2022 Nov 9;9(11):1718.
  5. [In German] https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2024/11/25/wenn-gleitsichtbrille-und-computer-vision-syndrom-kopfschmerz-ausloesen
  6. Singh S. et al. (2022). Interventions for the Management of Computer Vision Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ophthalmology. 2022 Oct;129(10):1192-1215.
  7. Yang YJ. et al. (2021). A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Hyaluronic Acid Eye Drops for the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 1;18(5):2383.