According to Medical Director of Shroff Eye Hospital, Dr. Abha Shroff, "As the number of people working on computers continues to grow, the number of computer-related, temporary vision problems is increasing."

When you look in the distance, your eyes are relatively relaxed and at rest. But while reading your computer screen, the muscles of your eyes have to work harder to keep a clean near focus.

These muscles get tired after extended use, resulting in eyestrain, neck pain, blurry near vision, headaches or difficulty changing focus.

Another computer related condition is dry eye syndrome. While working on the computer, you tend to blink less and keep your eyes wide open, resulting in drying up of the tear film.

Squinting could also cause dry eye syndrome. Squinting causes you to blink less often and leads to aches, dryness, irritation and tearing of the eyes.

Other reasons that could result in eye problems are;

• Poor position in relation to the computer.
• Bad lighting from the computer screen such as glare, reflections, fuzzy images or images that are too dim or too bright.
• Glasses that are inappropriate for the user's position and distance from the screen.
• Minor visual defects such as astigmatism that go unnoticed unless intense computer use exaggerates it.

If you work long hours at a computer, try these tips to avoid eye problems.

• Lower your computer screen so that the centre of the screen is 4-8 inches below your eye level and at a viewing distance of 20-28 inches.
  
• Use a document holder placed next to your computer screen. It should be close enough so you don't have to swing your head back and forth or constantly change your eye focus.
  
• Change your lighting to lower glare and harsh reflections. Glare filters over your computer screen can also help.
  
• If you are seated near an air vent, change your seating or position and direct the draft away from your eyes.
  
• Low humidity or fumes aggravate a dry eye condition.
  
• Concentrate on blinking whenever you begin to sense symptoms of dry or irritated eyes.

Use artificial tears as recommended by your doctor to re-wet and lubricate your eyes.

If you experience any symptoms of eye strain such as sore or irritated eyes and difficulty focusing, talk to your ophthalmologist.

(With inputs from Shroff Eye Hospital, Bandra, Mumbai)