Bloodshot eyes and double vision?

Before you keep your eyes glued to that small computer screen at the office or on your smart phone surfing the net and checking out your friends on Facebook and Twitter, think about the effects this might have on your eyes.

A Cape Town doctor has warned that while the increasing use of computers and cellphones may be good for technological advancement, this is having a negative impact on people's eye health with more people reporting strain-related eye problems such as blurred vision, eye fatigue, neck pains and headaches.

But even more scary were the statics that showed that young people were the most vulnerable.

Dr Wayne Hodgkinson, an optometrist who runs his practice in Fish Hoek in the Cape Peninsula, said he was seeing more patients with computer vision syndrome (CVS), a condition that was usually caused by extended and uninterrupted periods of focusing on a computer screen or television.

The temporary condition is characterised by uncomfortable symptoms such as dry, irritated and sometimes watery eyes, double or blurred vision, sore eyes, fatigue, light sensitivity and bloodshot eyes.

Medical experts estimate that the condition affects between 80 and 90 percent of people who spend about three hours or more a day at a computer.

While traditionally the high-risk group was office workers, according to Hodgkinson this trend has changed, with more young people reporting the syndrome symptoms. And it looks like the easy access of internet and social networks on cellphones could be the cause of the upsurge.

"Alarmingly I am finding these same problems in younger patients, more than likely due to the popularity of social sites like Facebook and Twitter, and others and the excessive time spent staring at computer monitors, BlackBerries, iPhones and the like," he said.

He warned parents to be vigilant about vision symptoms associated with regular extended periods of computer work, citing the demands of "fine motor skills from young eyes that have not yet developed" as problematic.

He also pointed out that poor workplace conditions and improper work habits could contribute to the syndrome.

"When focussing on a fixed object, the normal blink reflex is not stimulated and dry, uncomfortable red eyes are the result. Glare from artificial light reflecting off the computer monitor causes severe eye strain and the constant focusing of eyes without rest will cause fatigue and headaches," he said.

Businessman Richard Bing, 52, is a self-proclaimed computer nerd who was diagnosed with the syndrome five years ago.

After experiencing burning and sore eyes, short-sightedness and double vision he had himself checked by an optometrist. "Initially I thought that the short-sightedness was just ageing. It never really crossed my mind that computer use might have anything to do with the tiredness and irritability. When I was diagnosed with the syndrome I looked at the doctor and I was like 'What are you talking about?' I didn't know what the condition was all about," he said.

Giulia Criscuolo, a pharmacist at OTC Pharma, said while the syndrome was preventable and could be minimised by spending less time in front of a computer screen, treatment of this condition was available in a form of chemical lubricants such as natural tears or decongestants.

There were also homeopathic products suitable for everyday use such as Similisan computer eye drops that helped relieve strained eye muscles.

The syndrome can also be minimised by taking minimal preventative steps such as blinking more often, avoiding excessive bright light, adjusting or tilting your monitor, using computer reading glasses, and by taking frequent breaks away from your computer or cellphone screen.

Before you keep your eyes glued to that small screen, think about the effects this might have on your eyes.