But that study sprint can put your eyes at risk. While you may not have heard of Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, odds are extremely high that you’ve experienced it.

As the name suggests, CVS is caused by prolonged usage of digital devices and is exacerbated by poor working conditions or working practices. It’s widespread, largely ignored and can cause serious eye problems if not remedied. Fortunately, even the busiest computer workers can take steps to keep their eyes in the best shape possible.

The Basics

So, what exactly is CVS? CVS is a catch-all term for a collection of symptoms that pop up if a sufferer spends too much time in front of a screen. These symptoms include eye fatigue, eye strain, dizziness, and headache. All of these are temporary, but given how much time many of us spend in front of a computer, that isn’t saying much. Some, such as eye discomfort, can even pave the way toward more serious problems, such as eye infections caused by rubbing.

As computers become more and more prevalent in the home and workplace, CVS increases accordingly. Recent estimates usually place the number of computer users who experience at least some of the above symptoms at between 64% and 90%.

Of course, college students fall at the high end of that spectrum. A Malaysian study published in the Nepalese Journal of Ophthalmology found that 90% of examined students showed symptoms, with headache being the most disruptive.

Given that we use computers for just about everything these days, CVS is more than just a nuisance. Workers who suffer from CVS take a major productivity hit, potentially costing their employers over time. For students, the fallout is even more obvious. Cramming for a test isn’t easy to begin with, but add in headache and blurry vision? Good luck on that final – you’ll need it.

Avoiding CVS is important for everyone, doubly so for students. We might not be able to write that term paper for you, but we can at least make it a little easier with a few tips.

Cut Down on Dry Eye

Dry eye can be one of the main contributing factors to CVS. Making sure to cut down on major drying sources can go a long way to keeping peepers comfy. Air flow can suck moisture away from eyes in a hurry. Relocate if you find yourself camped next to a fan, A/C vent, or heating vent.

If you work in cooler climes, be aware that cold air doesn’t hold moisture as well as warm. Cranking up the heat inside your apartment may not be enough. If you notice yourself experiencing dry eye, as well as other signs of low atmospheric H20 such as chapped lips, then consider grabbing a humidifier for your room. As college budgets don’t always cover humidifiers, you can also place a bucket of water in some hard-to-knock over spot for cheaper relief.

Watch the Lights

Glare and improper lighting both ramp up your risk for CVS. While there’s a temptation to think that brighter always equals better, that’s not quite the case. Modern computer monitors already come with backlighting, and bright overhead illumination just isn’t necessary for the average computer worker.

Those extra lights can cause glare, a major source of CVS. Reducing glare should be one of your priorities if you’re worried about computer vision. Tone down lighting to more comfortable levels, try using an anti-glare screen, or even swap to full-spectrum lights, which are designed to mimic sunlight and can make computer use easier on the eyes.

Wear the Right Lenses

No matter how much you love your contacts, you should think twice about wearing them for an all-night study session. Contacts can make the eyes struggle to stay properly moisturized and, as discussed, that’s a no-no for anyone concerned about CVS.

Glasses are better, but still need some caveats. Bifocals aren’t as popular as they once were, and that’s a good thing when we’re talking about computer use. Consistently keeping those lower, near-focus panes trained on a computer screen will have you tilting your head back. You may avoid CVS, but you’ll wind up with a neck injury in return. Try progressive lenses for a healthier alternative.

Whatever you do though, wear lenses if you need them. Nearsighted individuals will wind up leaning even closer to a computer screen without them, forcing their eyes to work extra hard to accommodate the change, which in turn results in eye strain.

Ditch the Smartphone

Smartphones and tablets are becoming increasingly popular study aids for students. However, phones in particular can have some adverse effects. Those smaller screens require you to get much close in order to properly focus on them.

Not only that, but they can go just about anywhere with you, keeping you from giving your eyes much-needed breaks from digital screens.

Refresh Your Eyes

Taking a break from close work can be your best defense against CVS. Near work, as mentioned earlier, can strain the eye muscles necessary for focusing on close-by objects. Keep them at it too long, and you’ll wind up with some very uncomfortable eyes.

So take a break by following the 10-10-10 rule. Every 10 minutes, focus on an object at least 10 feet away for 10 seconds. It takes barely any time away from your work, but it lets your eyes relax for a few precious seconds, keeping them from knotting up from overuse.

Eye exercises can also help. Giving eye muscles different tasks can help prevent that single-minded lockup seen in CVS sufferers. Not only that, but keeping up with a consistent eye exercise program can help remedy nearsightedness, eliminating yet another contributing factor to CVS.