Computer glasses: Protect your eyes while you work

The biggest part of an average work day is spent behind the computer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our screen time has increased even more with video calling, online meetings, and webinars. It takes a toll on our muscles, eyes, and eventually affects our productivity. BETTER VISION gives tips and information on glasses for computers, and preventive measures for computer vision syndrome (CVS).

When your regular prescription or reading glasses don’t improve eye strain, it may be time to consider computer glasses.

Single vision or progressive lenses are generally not optimized for office work. Reading glasses enable optimum vision that’s too close for computer work. Progressive lenses require that you look through the lower area of the lens, so you will unnaturally tilt your head upwards to see the screen. If you wear these types of lenses for office work, chances are good that you’re sitting in an unnatural position, leading to headache and muscle tension.

Your eyes need support in the intermediate zone when you work at a desk on a daily basis. This refers to the distance more or less where your screen is positioned. It’s a little further away than near vision (a book or checking your phone), and closer than distance vision (looking at something far in the distance or driving). When we focus at this distance for an extended time, our eyes tend to converge, and this can be quite tiring for the eye muscles.

Computer glasses are optimized for the intermediate viewing zone. In addition, they can correct any additional refractive errors you may have, such as presbyopia or astigmatism with an individualized prescription.

What to look for when buying computer glasses

1. How will you use your computer glasses?
   As you will see here, there are different types of computer glasses. It’s important to discuss with your eyecare professional exactly what you will be using your glasses for, so your prescription can be tailored to meet your needs.
2. Refraction, fitting and centration
   The more exact these processes are, the faster you will adapt to your new lenses. Ensure that you consult a reputable eyecare professional who prescribes lenses from a trusted supplier.
3. Anti-glare coating
   Anti-glare or anti-reflective (AR) coatings are applied to the lenses to eliminate irritating reflections from the front and back of the lenses. Vision challenges like glare or reflections can decrease the wearer’s vision comfort and may contribute to the symptoms of DES. Discuss your options of anti-glare glasses for computers with your eyecare professional.
4. Appearance
   Some blue light filter glasses produce a visible blue/purple reflex. This is especially evident during video calls, and it is usually the case with blue light coatings applied to the lens surface. If appearance is high on your list, rather look for lenses with in-material blue light technology, such as ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses. The blue light protection is incorporated into the lens itself, so visible reflections are minimized.
   

There are different lenses for computer glasses to choose from, depending on the visual requirements of your job.

Generally, there are three types of office setups:

1. An indoor workstation with a computer, and limited contact with office materials.
   
2. An indoor workstation where the wearer primarily reads printed material and looks at sketches (for example architects).
   
3. An indoor office setup with frequent of contact with staff and customers, as well as some computer work.
   

Visible light is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. A portion of this visible light falls in the blue/violet band and is described as high energy visible light (HEV). The sun is the brightest source of blue light. A part of the blue light spectrum is good for us during the daytime, as it boosts attention, mood, and reaction time.
Modern digital devices such as smartphones, televisions, computer monitors, e-readers and tablets emit blue light. Even energy saving LED bulbs emit blue light.

At night, overexposure to blue light can affect the body’s circadian rhythm, leading to sleeplessness and fatigue.

The human eye can’t block blue light. In fact, all visible blue light passes through the lens and cornea, ultimately reaching the retina. If you spend a lot of time working on digital devices, you may perceive eyestrain and blurred vision. Too much nighttime blue light exposure can also make it difficult to sleep and exacerbate patterns of insomnia.

It’s important to note that not all computer glasses are blue light blocking glasses. Eyeglasses for computers are simply designed to improve vision comfort in the intermediate zone, and it do not necessarily feature blue light protective qualities.
However, you can customize your computer lenses or any other glasses lenses with a specialized blue light coating. Such coatings are applied to lenses and include a blue filter which lessens blue light. It will improve your visual comfort, without losing out on its beneficial effects.

If you don’t have a prescription for a refractive error, you can still wear anti blue light glasses. Your eye care professional will be able to advise you on your options.