Digital eye strain on the rise among working adult

Colombo, Oct. 9 (Daily Mirror) - Health experts warn that cases of computer vision syndrome (CVS), also known as digital eye strain, are on the rise among adults aged 20 to 45. The increase is linked to more people working from home and studying online, a trend that expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Kusum Ratnayaka, Consultant Cornea Surgeon at the National Eye Hospital, said prolonged use of computers, mobile phones, and other digital devices is the main cause. “Before the pandemic, this condition was rarely reported in the country,” he said. “Now, with more online learning and IT-related jobs, screen use has increased significantly.”

He made these remarks at an event held at the National Eye Hospital in Colombo to mark World Sight Day, celebrated this year under the theme “Love Your Eyes.”

Symptoms of CVS include eye discomfort, blurred vision, headaches, fatigue, and dry eyes. Poor lighting, glare, incorrect workstation setups, or uncorrected vision problems can worsen the condition. Children are also increasingly at risk due to long, unsupervised screen use.

Dr. Ratnayaka cautioned that many children spend excessive time on screens without parental oversight. “If online learning is necessary, children should avoid social media and video games after school,” he said. He urged the College of Pediatricians, eye surgeons, the Health Ministry, and the Education Ministry to develop guidelines to limit children’s screen time.

Experts recommend regular eye check-ups and adopting healthy screen habits to prevent or manage CVS. They advise maintaining proper monitor positioning, reducing glare, adjusting screen brightness, and keeping screens about arm’s length from the eyes.

Other recommendations include following the 20-20-20 rule every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds blinking frequently, staying hydrated, and maintaining good posture.

Eye specialists also suggest wearing computer-specific glasses and using lubricating eye drops to prevent dryness.

With digital devices now a central part of daily life, experts emphasize that protecting eye health has become essential for both adults and children.