MINNEAPOLIS, June 3, 2008—The Minnesota Optometric Association (MOA) says that video game enthusiasts often suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), the same set of symptoms experienced by office workers who sit too long at computer screens.

Dr. G. John Lach, president of the MOA and an optometrist with Carlson-Tillisch in Mankato, says that CVS symptoms may include eye irritation, dry eyes, headaches, pain in the eyes or surrounding facial muscles, squinting, excessive blinking, increased sensitivity to light and difficulty focusing.

The obsessive nature of online games and hand-held game systems such as PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS, contributes to CVS. Players often play for hours at a time, staring wide-eyed at the screen, rarely blinking.

The cure for CVS, according to Lach:

• Eliminate screen glare
• Sit directly in front of the screen instead of at an angle
• Screens should be below eye level, not above it.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Every now and then get up, and visually focus on something far away.
• For every 10 minutes of play, take a 10-second break.