Sankara Eye Hospital, part of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical, has launched Karnataka’s first ‘Computerized Vision Therapy cum Training Clinic and Experience Centre'. The facility known as ‘CTRL-ALT-DEL’, has been opened to help prevent and treat ‘Computer Vision Syndrome,’ including temporary weak vision, dry, irritated eyes, light sensitivity, eye strain and other eye muscular problems. The centre will simulate workstation environment to enable optimum ergonomic functioning.

More than 75 per cent of Bangalore’s young software professionals and college students face vision disorders that stem from the increasing use of laptops, mobile internet and other technology gadgets that strain the eye.

Prof Sheedy, global expert on ‘Computer Vision Syndrome’ and founder of Vision Ergonomics Laboratory inaugurated the clinic.

There are over 90 per cent of computer users experiencing eye and vision disorders associated with constant exposure to computers and similar electronic gadgets. There is need to address the issue in the interest of their health and companies to increase work efficiency, said Prof Sheedy.

According to Dr R V Ramani, Founder and Managing Trustee of Sankara Eye Care Institutions, young professionals are not only constantly exposed to computers at the workplace but are addicted to using their laptops, mobile internet, mobile social networking and other electronic gadgets. As a result of such long and extended eye strain, even young school and college students are beginning to face vision issues, which need to be addressed early.

The ‘CTRL-ALT-DEL’, the clinic is a dedicated centre to diagnose and treat Computer Vision Syndrome. Sankara will closely work with leading IT majors and research institutions such as those headed by Prof Sheedy to address some of the unique problems faced by those working with computer based interfaces . The clinic would also participate in onsite screening and seminars to educate IT profession on “Vision Ergonomics”, said Dr Umesh, chief medical officer, Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore.

Working on computers for over 8-16 hours results in "Computer Vision Syndrome" (CVS). The symptoms are eyes soreness, tiredness, strain, dryness, redness, fatigue, headaches, burning, glare sensitivity, contact lens discomfort, double vision and periodic blurring of near and distant vision.

The hospital which was started in 1977 to achieve ‘Vision for all by 2020’ has successfully implemented numerous community outreach programmes in eye care. It has 8 state-of-the-art eye hospitals across India at Coimbatore, Krishnankoil, Guntur, Bangalore, Shimoga, Anand and Silvassa and 2 managed institutions at Pammal and Rishikesh. To date, the Institution has performed over 5.50 lakh eye surgeries across the country and screened over 30 lakh children for eye ailments. The ophtha care major has also bagged the ‘Namma Bengaluru Award 2010, in February, FICCI Healthcare Excellence Award in September 2009, India NGO Award 2008 and the Hospital Management Asia Award 2008.