The era of digital eye strain: Is it worth it?

Recently my 17-year-old son signed a professional eGaming contract to play League of Legends, the largest worldwide computer competition game. He signed with Team Liquid in Los Angeles, the leading 10-person roster for the United States heading into the World Championships in Asia later this year. Last year’s championship was viewed by 27 million people globally, 13 million more than viewed the World Series that same year. The professional perks for this eGamer are no different than that of a professional NBA player once he hits professional status. The good news is, in this era of digital eye strain, chronic gaming was well worth it for my son, as he is on the computer as many hours a day that I am looking through a slit lamp or operating microscope. But is it worth it for premium surgeons and their patients?By definition, computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a condition that typically occurs from focusing the eyes on a computer or like device (iPad, tablet, smartphone) for protracted, uninterrupted periods of time. Symptoms of CVS include asthenopia, headaches, fluctuating vision, dry eyes, red eyes and/or diplopia. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CVS affects close to 90% of people who spend 3 or more hours per day at a computer. Evaporative dry eye is probably the most common ocular problem I see in my practice as it relates to CVS. Not only does CVS cause evaporative dry eye, dry eye exacerbates CVS, creating a vicious cycle for the patient.