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Do Computers Harm
Your Vision?
Computers are an
everyday part of our work and home lives/ Many of us
spend hours everyday working at a computer.
As a result, complaints
about eye fatigue and discomfort are common. Discomfort
is often in the form of eye irritation or difficulty in focusing.
These are symptoms of temporary eye strain, often caused by
poor lighting or improper placement of equiptment, not damage
to your eyes.
When you do near
activities such as reading, or working on the computer, small
muscles inside your eyes have to work hard to to keep a clear
focus. Like any other muscles in your body, your eye
muscles fatigue with extended use. Eye strain, blurry
near vision and difficulty changing focus from distance to
near are common symptoms. Also, computer operators blink
much less as they concentrate on the screen, resulting in
poor tear circulation and dry, irritated eyes.
Numerous studies
have shown that computer use does not damage your eyes.
However, undiagnosed eye problems can aggravate eyestrain
during extended periods of computer use. Therefore,
if you are experiencing eye strain, you should visit your
optician for an examination to determine whether you need
a new pair of glasses, if there is any underlying eye disorder,
or if you need to adjust your computer work area to alleviate
the problem.
If eye strain is
a result of your computer workspace, there are a few steps
you can take to modify the setup and ease your discomfort.
The following adjustments are recommended:
1. Keep your computer
screen 20-26 inches from your eyes and slightly below eye
level.
2. Modify lighting
to eliminate glare and harsh reflections.
3. Use a monitor
that swivels or tilts and has adjustable contrast and brightness
controls.
4. Take frequent
breaks to rest your eyes and remember to blink to keep your
eyes from drying out.
5. Exersise
your eyes by looking into the distance every 15 minutes to
let your eye muscles relax.
written by cheryl
M Roers, OD
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Millions ignore
poor eyesight
Millions of people
in the UK are turning a blind eye to their own sight problems,
a survey has found. By doing so they are putting themselves
and others at
risk.
The study, of just
under 1,000 adults who had not had eyesight correction, found
many put off wearing contact lens or glasses even when they
suspected they might need them.
The figures suggest
that as many as 2.5m Britons who should be seeking help for
eyesight problems have failed to do so.
Each person was
given a basic eye test, and asked for their opinions on contact
lens, glasses and laser eye surgery.
More than one in
three (35%) failed the eye test - but of these 33% said they
were not surprised, and, worryingly, 65% were car drivers.
Researcher Dr June
McNicholas, a psychologist at Warwick University, said the
results suggested that many people had taken a conscious decision
not to have their vision corrected.
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