Yamaha PSRS500 61-Key Arranger Workstation Keyboard

According to the AOA definition, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is “the complex of eye and vision problems related to near work which are experienced during or related to computer use.” The symptoms that most often accompany this condition are eyestrain, headaches, blurred distance or near vision, dry or red eyes, neck and/or back ache, double vision, and light sensitivity. The factors that most often contribute to CVS in children are a combination of improper classroom conditions, poor work habits, and existing refractive errors. Lighting, vision, and posture are all interrelated concepts. We are visually directed creatures, and will alter our posture to alleviate stress on the eyes. Therefore, one’s body posture may be indicative of a visually stressful situation. Some of the symptoms of CVS actually concern the head, neck, and shoulder areas of the body.

The potential impact of computer use on children’s vision involves the following factors: Children often have a limited degree of self-awareness. Many children keep performing an enjoyable task with great concentration until near exhaustion (e.g., playing video games for hours with little, if any, breaks). Prolonged activity without a significant break can cause eye focusing (accommodative) problems and eye irritation.

Eye irritation may occur because of poor tear flow over the eye due to reduced blinking. Blinking is often inhibited by concentration and staring at a computer or video screen. Compounding this, computers usually are located higher in the field of view than traditional paperwork. This results in the upper eyelids being retracted to a greater extent. Therefore, the eye tends to experience more than the normal amount of tear evaporation, resulting in dryness and irritation.

Children are very adaptable. Although there are many positive aspects to their adaptability, children frequently ignore problems that would be addressed by adults. Children who are viewing a computer screen with a large amount of glare often will not think about changing the computer arrangement or the surroundings to achieve more comfortable viewing. This can result in excessive eye-strain. Also, children often accept blurred vision caused by nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism because they think everyone sees the way they do. Uncorrected farsightedness can cause eye strain, even when clear vision can be maintained.

Children are not the same size as adults. Since children are smaller, computers don’t fit them well. Most computer workstations are arranged for adult use. Therefore, a child using a computer on a typical office desk often must look up further than an adult. Because the most efficient viewing angle is slightly downward about 15 degrees, problems using the eyes together can occur.

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