
Spending long hours before the computer can harm your eyes. But MAUREEN AZUH reports that some specialised glasses can be of help.
Eye strain is a common challenge today especially among those who use computers for several hours every day. Such people may experience Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS, whose symptoms include headaches, focusing difficulties, burning or aching eyes, double vision, blurred vision and light sensitivity. This is due to the fact that a computer has mainly blue light which is received differently on the retina - compared to other colours of the spectrum.
The solution, as partly outlined in ezinearticles.com, is to filter away some of this blue light that strain the eyes. This is where computer glasses become quite relevant. Apart from filtering away the blue light, these glasses also efficiently reduce glare, giving the eyes a chance to rest and recover without having to stop carrying out one’s usual tasks.
Computer glasses, as the name implies, are prescription glasses designed for wearing when doing computer work. They allow the user to focus on a computer screen. Coming in different styles, they are light, a trait that makes wearing them comfortable. But one thing with the devices is that there is also no such thing as one type of computer glasses that fits all or is the best for everybody. Visual ability and personal preferences of the computer operator, the type of work, the distance between the computer user’s eyes and the monitor as well as lighting design in any given workplace are all factors that should be taken into consideration while selecting computer glasses.
Depending on the individual’s vision and type of work, there are several focal options to choose from. Monofocal or single-vision glasses, for instance, provide the appropriate optical correction for the working distance between the screen and the computer user’s eyes. This option allows them to view the whole screen with a minimum up-and-down head movement. Bifocal glasses, on the other hand, can also be used so that the upper and lower segments of the glasses are set based on user’s closeness to the screen.
Trifocal glasses have lenses that combine a segment for far vision (upper), another for near vision (lower / bottom) and a third one for vision at the screen distance (middle, between the far and near segments). The Progressive Addition Lenses also offer good continuity of vision by eliminating lines between segments of different focal power. Wearers of PAL are likely to report less distortion of peripheral vision than those wearing conventional multifocal glasses.
However, there are also different brands that an individual can choose from, including the Gunnar Computer Glasses and the steelseries. According to ThinkGeek.com, Gunnar computer glasses have the ability to shift the light from the computer to the warmer end of the spectrum, giving tired eyes a chance to recover. Not only do they filter blue light, they also reduce glare, helping with eye strain even more. This brand equally offers protection and some style with its frame and finish. The lens tint, coatings, and curvature help reduce issues like eye strain, dry eyes, and visual stress that can help visual recovery even after a marathon gaming sessions.
Steelseries also come with lens coatings designed to reduce glare and protect the lens. It includes an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and reflections, and a hard coat that reduces environmental damage and minimises scratching of the lens material. The lens and frame solution are constructed with the lightweight and durable materials with headset compatible temples for enhanced comfort with headsets.
For those who enjoy 3-D computer games, PC 3-D glasses may also be useful. These glasses are designed to convince the brain that the monitor is showing a real, three-dimensional object as well as shielding the eyes from the screen.
But as good as these gadgets seem, opticians advise that users should resist the temptation to buy over-the-counter reading glasses as computer glasses. The argument is that an accurate prescription is essential if one wants to get the full benefits from computer glasses, it is best to purchase these glasses from knowledgeable eye care professionals.
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