Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a very real problem for many people who spend hours in front of a computer screen. It's common to experience blurred vision and other symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS). You're more likely to experience eyestrain and eye fatigue while sitting at the computer, because of unique visual demands that are unlike those associated with most other activities.

At Eyeglass House we analyze your computer work station environment. This allows us to recommend a solution from the numerous different computer lens designs available to us and eliminate blurry vision while working at your computer. We complete these lens systems with anti-reflective technology that will remove the bothersome glare & reflections from your monitor.

If you're under age 40, blurred vision may be due to an inability of your eyes to remain accurately focused on your computer screen for a sustained time period. Or eye fatigue and blurriness may be related to problems with quickly and accurately changing focus, such as when you shift your gaze from your monitor to your keyboard and back again. This lag of accommodation can be associated with CVS.

If you're over age 40, the problem may be due to the onset of presbyopia, the normal age-related loss of near focusing ability. This, too, can cause CVS symptoms.

I Already Wear Eyeglasses, Do I Really Need Computer Glasses?

If you already wear regular eyeglasses or reading glasses, you may be tempted to just dismiss the idea of computer glasses outright. Unfortunately, your regular glasses are probably not quite right for computer work.

Why? Computer screens are usually positioned 20 to 26 inches from the user's eyes. This is considered the intermediate zone of vision, closer than driving ("distance") vision, but farther away than reading ("near") vision.
Most young people wear eyeglasses to correct their distance vision. Reading glasses are prescribed to correct near vision only. And bifocals prescribed for those with presbyopia correct only near and far. Even trifocals and progressive lenses (which do have some lens power for intermediate vision) have only a small portion of the lens dedicated to this area, not nearly large enough for sustained, comfortable computer work. Worse still, many people try to compensate for their blurred vision by leaning forward, or by tipping their head to look through the bottom portion of their glasses. Both of these actions can result in a sore neck, sore shoulders and a sore back.

Computer Lens Designs

There are a number of special purpose lens designs that work well for computer glasses. Because these lenses are prescribed specifically for computer use, they are not suitable for driving or general purpose wear.
The simplest computer glasses have single vision lenses with a modified lens power prescribed to give the most comfortable vision at the user's computer screen. This lens relaxes the amount of accommodation required to keep things in focus at the distance of the computer screen and provides the largest field of view, reducing the risk of eyestrain, blurred vision, and unnatural posture that can cause neck and back pain. These lenses can be used comfortably by younger and older computer users alike.

A popular type of computer eyeglass lenses for people with presbyopia is the occupational progressive lens, a no-line multifocal that corrects near, intermediate, and, up to a point, distance vision. It has a larger intermediate zone than regular progressive lenses for more comfortable vision at the computer. But this leaves less lens area for distance vision. So these lenses are not recommended for driving or other significant distance vision tasks.
Another option for presbyopic computer users is a lined trifocal, with a larger intermediate zone than regular trifocals.
Still another possibility is an occupational bifocal, with the top part of the lens for intermediate vision (computer screen) and the bottom portion for near vision (reading).

Computer lenses are also available in clip-ons that can be attached to regular eyeglasses.

Prism and Eyestrain

All computer glasses work by correcting your vision in the intermediate zone. In some cases, eyes that don't work together as a team (binocular dysfunction) can cause blurred vision and eyestrain at the computer. The eye doctors at Eyeglass House can test you for binocular dysfunction, and may be able to add prism power to your eyeglass prescription to help your eyes work together more comfortably and for longer periods of time.

Another Benefit: Eyestrain Relief

In addition to fixing your blurry vision, computer glasses can help with another problem as well: eyestrain from bright office lighting. Anti-reflective technology will significantly reduce the amount of glare and reflected light that reach your eyes.