Computer Vision

Staring at computers, tablets, and phones for long stretches has become part of everyday life. Unfortunately, spending hours focused on digital screens can lead to a group of symptoms known as computer vision syndrome. Even people who have never had vision issues before may begin experiencing discomfort after two or more hours of screen time. Common symptoms include:

Blurry or fluctuating vision
Tired, aching eyes
Headaches
Dryness or scratchiness
Pain in the neck or shoulders

While these symptoms may start off mild, they can worsen over time if ignored. Dr. Duong can evaluate your eyes and recommend solutions tailored to your needs.

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Diagnosing and Managing Computer Vision Syndrome

The intensity and duration of symptoms vary based on several factors, including screen time, posture, room lighting, glare, screen distance, and the presence of underlying vision issues. Conditions such as astigmatism, farsightedness, presbyopia, aging eyes, or diabetic eye disease can make screen-related symptoms particularly noticeable—even if you’re already wearing glasses or contact lenses. Standard prescriptions often aren’t optimized for digital viewing.

During your visit, Dr. Duong will consider your symptoms and visual history, then perform a series of tests such as:

Visual Acuity

Evaluates how clearly you see at various distances.

Refraction

Determines your most accurate prescription.

Focusing and Eye Coordination Tests

Assesses how well your eyes work together and how efficiently they shift focus between near and far objects.

Based on these findings, Dr. Duong will create a treatment plan to ease your symptoms. Many patients benefit from computer-specific glasses designed for intermediate viewing distance. Those who already wear glasses or contacts may require updated prescriptions that are more comfortable for screen use.

Tips to Reduce Digital Eye Strain

In addition to professional care, simple changes can significantly reduce discomfort:

Optimize Your Computer Setup

Position your monitor about 15–20 degrees below eye level.
Keep the screen 20–28 inches from your eyes.
Place reference materials on a nearby document holder to reduce head movement.
Consider using an anti-glare filter.
Maintain proper posture while working.

Improve Lighting

Adjust lamps or overhead lights to reduce glare. Whenever possible, use natural lighting and avoid bright light directly behind or in front of your screen.

Take Breaks and Blink More Often

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
After two hours of screen use, give yourself a 15-minute break.
Make a conscious effort to blink frequently to keep your eyes lubricated.