Is Your Computer Screen Destroying Your Eyes?
None of us today can escape the demands of society to use computers. They are a fact of life and unfortunately a necessary tool. The current push to use smaller and smaller computers, phones, Ipads, Kindles, etc. only exacerbates the problems of deteriorating the health of your eyes. Extended use of televisions have long been known to affect your vision’s health.
In addition to your visual health, there is a special stress added to your life from overuse of these computer screens. There are frequencies radiating from all these screens and the computers, phones, Ipads, kindles, etc. No one knows, yet, how damaging these frequencies and stresses are to the body and the mind.
The subliminal programming and reading of your subliminal consciousness is directed at you 100% of the time you are on any computer type device. Google is reading your subliminal consciousness by tracking your every move on the internet, so they can direct advertising at your conscious mind.
Why do people run to Amazon for anything at all? Only a few years back they were bankrupt, and another corporation bailed them out. They are no better or worse at retail business than several million other businesses. Have they been silently, subliminally broadcasting messages at your subconscious? These techniques are not new or limited to the computer and internet, but the number of hours we spend on them, the more we are exposed to subliminal programming.
We know the technology has been around for decades to embed subliminal messages in a single pixel of the screen. Your eyes and conscious mind don’t see these, but the message is picked up by your subconscious, and filed away, until triggered by an advertisement to your conscious mind.
Why do we suddenly ‘want’ something that we’ve never needed before?
You will sometimes see the corporations advertise their screens as optimal, or as scientifically produced to reduce glare, or be healthy on your eyes? Would you believe a corporation has your best interests at heart? What comes to mind is all the tobacco company scientific research that PROVED cigarettes cause no harm.
Our position and suggestion is to use your computer what it was intended for… a tool to enhance production. Then your leisure time should be no where near one of these mind controlling, eye destroying machines.
Every time we submit to the entrapment of the computer screen, we lose a little bit more control of our lives. Are all your books on Kindle or a similar device, or on your computer? When the grid goes down you have no access to all that survival information. Did you know that the end game for electronic books is that you will only license them, like you do software? If you buy an electronic book, you may only be buying a 90 day license, and after 90 days the file quits working, or erases itself from your Kindle.
All this we view as corporate warfare. It’s their war to get you to let go of your money for which you get no solid asset to call your own, but a file based on binary numbers that create a temporary source of reading material… A source that can be turned off by the corporation. In other words, these corporations seek total control over all INFORMATION. Then information is only available to you for a price.
If you are a survivalist, or as the new cliche calls them “preppers”, then books should be one of your most protected assets, especially how-to books, survival books, first aid, etc.. Any book that has skills, techniques, information, that you might not be immediately prepared for.
Below are three articles from different sources that describe the dangers of the computer screen to your eyesight.
After reading them… take a break… smell some fresh air… read a real book.
Destroying Your Eyes?
CVS is not a single specific eye disorder, its a group of eye-related problems including strain ad pain in eyes. Statistics show between 50-90% of computer users experience some kind of eye problem. Working adults are not the only ones who are prone to this problem. Kids who play video games on computers, especially games that require high concentration, are liked to experience eye-related problems.
Research shows people who use computers a lot have little to no difficulty focusing on things near to them, however far sight becomes blurry.
The most common symptoms of CVS are redness in eyes, irritation or dryness, burning sensation in the eyes, double or blurred vision, shoulder and neck pain, and headache.
While we cannot avoid looking at computer screens, here are some guidelines that can be effective in avoiding the symptoms of CVS.
We often tend to ignore headaches and strain in our eyes which is an unhealthy practice. If you feel any symptoms of CVS post prolonged exposure to a computer screen, have your eyes examined by an eye specialist to check what is best for your eyes.
2.) Adjust the computer
The screen of your computer should neither be too close nor too far from your eyes. The ideal distance between your eyes and the screen should be an arm’s distance. Place your monitor so that its center lies 4-8 inches below your eyes. Doing this will allow your neck to relax while you read or type something.
3.) Rest your eyes regularly
When you are working on a computer its important to rest your eyes periodically. Take a break every 20 minutes and look at and focus on something far from you. Do no keep your eyes too close to the monitor and stretch your back and neck regularly. It your eyes are feeling excessive fatigue, try to avoid looking at the computer and take a breather.
4.) Blink more
Various studies show that as we work on computers we reduce our blink rate which causes problems like dry eyes, burning sensation, and the sensation of gritty eyes. Our average blink rate is 12 blinks per minute. Statistics show that while using computers this rate goes down to 5 blinks per minute. Lower blink rate leads to dehydration of the cornea which causes dry eyes. Blinking more improves focus along with reduction in pain.
5.) Wash your eyes
If your eyes are red and feel strained wash you eyes with fresh water. Doing this will eradicate all the dirt from your eyes and cool them off. It will also hydrate your eyes which will take away fatigue and make you feel re-energized.
6.) Proper lighting
Proper lighting also influences the pain that our eyes bear wen we work in front of screens. Its recommended to have a light source behind you when you work., Light should not be too dim while your work. Placing light right in front of your computer or bright overhead lighting adds to the strain.
www.positivemed.com
Computer Screen Can
Make You Go Blind
Eyestrain is a common—and occasionally debilitating—effect of staring at screens
By Molly Webster
Ophthalmologists, optometrists and other eye professionals note a seeming link between myopia, also called nearsightedness, and “near work”—visual activities that take place at a distance of about 40 centimeters (16 inches) from the eye—such as reading a book. Staring at a computer screen qualifies as well, though monitors usually are around 50 centimeters (20 inches) away.
But only a small—and mysterious—subset of people see myopic progression from near work, whether they are focusing on a computer or accounting books. “We are not very clever in identifying who [is affected] yet,” says James Sheedy, a professor at the Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon.
The fact that near work doesn’t lead to myopia in all of us, however, doesn’t mean sitting close to a computer screen causes no problems. Though for most it is not permanently damaging, computer near work leads to an uncomfortable, at times debilitating, list of symptoms collectively known as eyestrain.
Eyestrain, says Mark Bullimore, a professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, results from staring at a screen over long periods of time. Such activity causes eye exhaustion: burning, dryness and muscle aches—all unpleasant and potentially incapacitating symptoms while they last.
The simplest way to understand why eyestrain develops—and learn how to prevent it—is by looking at the way our built-in binoculars show us the fine print. When we “see” something, light reflects from an object through the cornea, the transparent, dome-shaped layer covering the eye. The cornea and the crystalline lens (a transparent, round, flexible structure behind the iris) then bend the wavelengths so they hit the rods and cones—photoreceptors on the retina that gather incoming light information. This innermost layer at the back of the eye is responsible for collecting and then moving light information, via the optic nerve, to the brain, which produces an image.
Staring closely at a screen forces our ciliary muscle, which controls the shape of our lens and therefore how well we focus, to remain contracted, without rest. This is demanding—and tiring—for the poor little muscle. Up close focusing also stops us from blinking.
Blinking is essential because it spreads tears over the surface of the eye; if blinking stops, the corneal surface dries out. When this happens, the cornea becomes cloudy, causing “foggy” vision, according to Sheedy. The normal blink rate is around 20 times per minute but using a computer can drop it to as low as seven, though experts believe this has no long-term effect.
Staring at a screen—surrounded by glaring peripheral lights—also causes us to squint, says Dennis Robertson, an ophthalmology professor at the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minn.
And though squinting cuts down on glare and prevents exorbitant amounts of light from assaulting your eyeballs (which solves some of the problems created by not blinking), it’s exhausting. Freezing the muscles around your eye into a tense, squinched position all day long is just as tiring as it would be to hold a stomach-crunch for nine hours.
These eyestrain symptoms usually only last a few hours, dissipating as we allow ourselves time to blink and focus on things farther away. But once they start, they hamper productivity and, more importantly, make us grumpy. All is not lost, however. We can fix these burning, aching, dried out sensations one ergonomic workstation at a time.
Invest in one of today’s nonglare computer screens, and don’t be afraid to change your computer’s brightness, contrast or text size, all of which will alleviate eye stress. Also, position your screen slightly lower than your eyes; the top of your monitor should be level with your eyebrows. For physiological problems, hit your doctor up for a pair of corrective lenses.
Finally, eliminate any glaring peripheral light. To find out what lights are bothersome, Sheedy recommends performing the hand-as-visor trick: Shield your eyes with your hand, and see if that makes the tension in your face and shoulders dissipate. If it does, manually adjust the lamps you blocked out as bothersome. As for watching TV, experts recommend laughing along with your favorite sitcom from a comfortable distance. (Finally, a reason to be a couch potato.)
But by far the simplest and best expert advice for eliminating eyestrain from any type of medium: take regular breaks. Go on, walk over to the water cooler, even if you aren’t thirsty; and by all means, move your easy chair at least two feet from the television. Above all: don’t forget to blink.
http://www.scientificamerican.com
reading this post
could make you blind
By Dan Graziano
The artificial backlighting most screens employ can also cause eyes to constrict depending on the screen’s brightness, and maintain the same focus for long periods of time. Staring at a screen can also cause sensitivity to light, which could lead to blurred vision, headaches and problems focusing, also known as “Computer Vision Syndrome,” or even more serious problems. CVS affects an estimated 150 to 200 million U.S. workers, and has contributed to a 66% increase in nearsightedness over the past 25 years.
As with most things, too much of exposure to anything can be harmful to one’s health. In order to prevent your eyes from suffering, it is recommended that users take frequent breaks from their screens, sit as far away as possible, and use glare protectors to reduce the amount of light projected into the eye.
Many of today’s jobs include staring at a screen. Whether working the check-out lane at a grocery store or behind the desk at an advertising agency, computers seem to have found a permanent place in our lives. Take Ami for example, a good friend and recent inductee into the working world. Ami works for a marketing and advertising agency that has her pinned to a computer most of the day. A typical day for Ami includes emailing clients, researching competitors of clients, typing up proposals or brand plans, and designing art pieces for client review…all from the comfort of her computer chair. She admits, “I’ve never worn my glasses more than since I started full time. Now, I actually need a stronger prescription.”
But why does staring at a screen do such bad things to our eyes? It stems from being productive. When we are the most focused it is reflected in our unconscious eye behaviors. These behaviors lead to eye problems according to research published in the April 2012 issue of Optometry and Vision Science.
Distance
Our eyes work by contracting and relaxing small muscles in our eyes. When we focus on a screen, these tiny muscles remain contracted for a long time. Eventually, these muscles will fatigue resulting in difficulty to focus on things at other distances. This leads to blurred vision, an inability to focus the eye, and headaches.
Blinking
When working hard, we can “forget” to blink. A typical person blinks between 12-15/minute on average. When focused, blinking is reduced to 4-5/minute. Blinking is a natural process that works to lubricate and moisturize the eyes by spreading tears across the outer eye. In the absence of blinking, eyes can become extremely dry and scratchy leading to foggy vision.
Lighting
Most computer, tv, or phone screens are backlit. That is, the screens have built in light to illuminate the screen making it visible during dark or extremely bright conditions. This artificial lighting can cause our eyes to dilate or constrict according to the screen brightness and maintain this focus for long periods of time. Constantly staring at a screen can cause sensitivity to light, or photophobia, or can lead to problems such as blurred vision, headaches, or focus problems.
These factors together cause a downward spiral. Our vision becomes poorer, resulting in closer distances, more focusing, and brighter lighting to see the screens we depend on. The net result is medically called “Computer Vision Syndrome” and affects an estimated 150-200 million US workers. In the past 25 years, the growing presence of the personal computer, laptops, and televisions in everyday life have contributed to a 66% increase in nearsightedness amongst the population.
In order to prevent your eyes from suffering from too much screen time, take frequent breaks away from the screen, sit as far away from the screen as possible, and use glare protectors to reduce the amount of light focused into the eye.
http://www.ahealthiermichigan.org
Computer Vision Syndrome describes a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer use. Many individuals experience eye discomfort and vision problems when viewing a computer screen for extended periods. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of computer use.
The most common symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) are
eyestrain
headaches
blurred vision
dry eyes
neck and shoulder pain
These symptoms may be caused by:
poor lighting
glare on the computer screen
improper viewing distances
poor seating posture
uncorrected vision problems
a combination of these factors
The extent to which individuals experience visual symptoms often depends on the level of their visual abilities and the amount of time spent looking at the computer screen. Uncorrected vision problems like farsightedness and astigmatism, inadequate eye focusing or eye coordination abilities, and aging changes of the eyes, such as presbyopia, can all contribute to the development of visual symptoms when using a computer.
Many of the visual symptoms experienced by computer users are only temporary and will decline after stopping computer work. However, some individuals may experience continued reduced visual abilities, such as blurred distance vision, even after stopping work at a computer. If nothing is done to address the cause of the problem, the symptoms will continue to recur and perhaps worsen with future computer use.
Prevention or reduction of the vision problems associated with Computer Vision Syndrome involves taking steps to control lighting and glare on the computer screen, establishing proper working distances and posture for computer viewing, and assuring that even minor vision problems are properly corrected.
What causes Computer Vision Syndrome?
Viewing a computer screen often makes the eyes work harder. As a result, the unique characteristics and high visual demands of computer viewing make many individuals susceptible to the development of vision-related symptoms.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Uncorrected vision problems can increase the severity of Computer Vision Syndrome symptoms.
Viewing a computer screen is different than reading a printed page. Often the letters on the computer screen are not as precise or sharply defined, the level of contrast of the letters to the background is reduced, and the presence of glare and reflections on the screen may make viewing difficult.
Viewing distances and angles used for computer work are also often different from those commonly used for other reading or writing tasks. As a result, the eye focusing and eye movement requirements for computer viewing can place additional demands on the visual system.
In addition, the presence of even minor vision problems can often significantly affect comfort and performance at a computer. Uncorrected or under corrected vision problems can be major contributing factors to computer-related eyestrain.
Even people who have an eyeglass or contact lens prescription may find it’s not suitable for the specific viewing distances of their computer screen. Some people tilt their heads at odd angles because their glasses aren’t designed for looking at a computer. Or they bend toward the screen in order to see it clearly. Their postures can result in muscle spasms or pain in the neck, shoulder or back.
In most cases, symptoms of CVS occur because the visual demands of the task exceed the visual abilities of the individual to comfortably perform them. At greatest risk for developing CVS are those persons who spend two or more continuous hours at a computer every day.
How is Computer Vision Syndrome diagnosed?
Computer Vision Syndrome can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing, with special emphasis on visual requirements at the computer working distance, may include:
Patient history to determine any symptoms the patient is experiencing and the presence of any general health problems, medications taken, or environmental factors that may be contributing to the symptoms related to computer use.
Visual acuity measurements to assess the extent to which vision may be affected.
A refraction to determine the appropriate lens power needed to compensate for any refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism).
Testing how the eyes focus, move and work together. In order to obtain a clear, single image of what is being viewed, the eyes must effectively change focus, move and work in unison. This testing will look for problems that keep your eyes from focusing effectively or make it difficult to use both eyes together.
This testing may be done without the use of eye drops to determine how the eyes respond under normal seeing conditions. In some cases, such as when some of the eyes’ focusing power may be hidden, eye drops may be used. They temporarily keep the eyes from changing focus while testing is done.
Using the information obtained from these tests, along with results of other tests, your optometrist can determine if you have Computer Vision Syndrome and advise you on treatment options.
How is Computer Vision Syndrome treated?
Solutions to computer-related vision problems are varied. However, CVS can usually be alleviated by obtaining regular eye care and making changes in how you view the computer screen.
Eye Care
In some cases, individuals who do not require the use of eyeglasses for other daily activities may benefit from glasses prescribed specifically for computer use. In addition, persons already wearing glasses may find their current prescription does not provide optimal vision for viewing a computer.
Eyeglasses or contact lenses prescribed for general use may not be adequate for computer work. Lenses prescribed to meet the unique visual demands of computer viewing may be needed. Special lens designs, lens powers or lens tints or coatings may help to maximize visual abilities and comfort.
Some computer users experience problems with eye focusing or eye coordination that can’t be adequately corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. A program of vision therapy may be needed to treat these specific problems. Vision therapy, also called visual training, is a structured program of visual activities prescribed to improve visual abilities. It trains the eyes and brain to work together more effectively. These eye exercises help remediate deficiencies in eye movement, eye focusing and eye teaming and reinforce the eye-brain connection. Treatment may include office-based as well as home training procedures.
Viewing the Computer
Proper body positioning for computer use.
Some important factors in preventing or reducing the symptoms of CVS have to do with the computer and how it is used. This includes lighting conditions, chair comfort, location of reference materials, position of the monitor, and the use of rest breaks.
Location of computer screen – Most people find it more comfortable to view a computer when the eyes are looking downward. Optimally, the computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below eye level (about 4 or 5 inches) as measured from the center of the screen and 20 to 28 inches from the eyes.
Reference materials – These materials should be located above the keyboard and below the monitor. If this is not possible, a document holder can be used beside the monitor. The goal is to position the documents so you do not need to move your head to look from the document to the screen.
Lighting – Position the computer screen to avoid glare, particularly from overhead lighting or windows. Use blinds or drapes on windows and replace the light bulbs in desk lamps with bulbs of lower wattage.
Anti-glare screens – If there is no way to minimize glare from light sources, consider using a screen glare filter. These filters decrease the amount of light reflected from the screen.
Seating position – Chairs should be comfortably padded and conform to the body. Chair height should be adjusted so your feet rest flat on the floor. If your chair has arms, they should be adjusted to provide arm support while you are typing. Your wrists shouldn’t rest on the keyboard when typing.
Rest breaks – To prevent eyestrain, try to rest your eyes when using the computer for long periods. Rest your eyes for 15 minutes after two hours of continuous computer use. Also, for every 20 minutes of computer viewing, look into the distance for 20 seconds to allow your eyes a chance to refocus.
Blinking – To minimize your chances of developing dry eye when using a computer, make an effort to blink frequently. Blinking keeps the front surface of your eye moist.
Regular eye examinations and proper viewing habits can help to prevent or reduce the development of the symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome.
http://www.aoa.org
There are some special exercises to improve vision
Example: http://exercises4eyes.com