The
following symptoms of computer-using patients were reported
by optometrists to occur in the following order of frequency
Eyestrain
Headaches
Blurred vision
Dry or irritated eyes
Neck / back aches
Photophobia
Double vision
After-images
Vision Symptoms
Blur at Distance
Constant - Constant blurred vision, of course, is an
indication of an uncorrected refractive error. Intermittent or temporary – Intermittent or temporary
blurred vision at distance that follows near work
usually indicates accommodative spasm. This blurred
vision may only be momentary when the person looks up
from their work or it can last for several hours after
near work - causing difficulties driving home from work.
Blur at
Near
Constant - Constant blurred vision is an indication of an
uncorrected refractive error or presbyopia. Improper
spectacle design for presbyopia can also result in near
blurred vision
Intermittent – Intermittent near blur often indicates an
accommodative disorder such as reduced amplitude of
accommodation or accommodative in facility. Testing
should include amplitude of accommodation, lens flippers
and plus/minus lenses to blur binocularly (NRA and PRA,
to be described later). Dry eye may also cause
intermittent blurred vision. This can be differentiated
from accommodative spasm by determining whether blinking
eliminates the blur.
Double Vision
Diplopia almost always indicates a binocular vision disorder
- but careful questioning of the patient is necessary to
ensure they aren't reporting blurred vision as double
vision. Intermittent diplopia that occurs after extended
near work, especially if accompanied by reports of
eyestrain, often indicates a convergence insufficiency.
Repeated measurement of the near point of convergence and
other binocular assessment such as cover/uncover test and
vergence ability should be evaluated.
