7 Healthcast: Screen time

How many hours each day do you spend in front of a computer screen? If you're like most Americans, it's quite a few. Computers are so important to our lives, but they could be wreaking havoc on our eyes.

Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, is a relatively new medically defined ailment, and it's growing.

"I have seen some data to suggest that 90-percent of the people who just stare at a computer all day long will have some part of it," said ophthalmologist Dr. Kathleen Digre.

Dr. Digre says focusing continually on a computer screen triggers a whole host of complaints, including double and blurry vision and headaches.

Cari Megeath says her symptoms began as a sandy, grainy feeling in the eyes.

"My eyes would feel tired and then I felt a burning sensation in my eyes," Megeath said. "So I would have to keep blinking to try and get rid of the burning sensation."

People with dry eyes are more vulnerable to CVS.

Remedies? Lubricate the eyes with artificial tears. Also,

"With this computer screen business, just looking away, looking in the distance, relaxing your eyes for a while, blinking consciously blinking frequently," said Dr. Digre.

Looking through a pair of rose colored glasses can also help.

"It blocks out or filters out a certain wavelength of light, blue or green, that can be bothersome to some people," said optician Patrick Shaw.

According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, computer users should have an eye exam before they start working on a computer, and once every year after that.

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