Computer Glasses and Digital Eye Strain

8~21~2023

The more time you spend at a computer, the more you risk developing eye strain and other symptoms of computer vision syndrome. That's because during computer use, your eyes must remain focused and perfectly aligned at a specific distance for long periods of time. Also, viewing the light-emitting display of a computer or other digital device tires your eyes more quickly than reading an ink-on-paper book, magazine or newspaper.

Computer glasses are designed specifically for intermediate and close-up distances, the zones most associated with computer use. Computer-specific eyewear gives you the best correction for these distances and helps you avoid what's becoming known as "digital eye strain" — eye fatigue and discomfort associated with the use of computers, smartphones and other digital devices.

If you're over age 40 and have presbyopia, general-purpose progerssive or bifocals usually aren't the best choice for computer glasses. This is because these multifocal lenses don't have a large section of the lens dedicated to the "intermediate" distance typically used for viewing computers and digital devices.

A better solution is a separate pair of computer glasses with single vision lenses specifically prescribed for this intermediate viewing distance, or specialty "office" or "computer" progressive lenses that have the largest section of the lens designed for this distance.

In some cases, trifocal lenses work acceptably well for computer work if you have presbyopia — especially if you need to be able to see clearly across the room when working at a computer.

Your eye care professional can help you choose the best design for computer glasses, based on your visual needs.

Whatever lens design you choose, your computer glasses should include anti-reflective treatment. AR treatment eliminates distracting reflections in your lenses that can increase your risk for digital eye strain.

Also, consider for your computer glasses the light-sensitive lenses protect your eyes from UV radiation and also provide ample protection from potentially hazardous high-energy visible blue light emitted by computers and digital devices.