By Jo Best, 1 December 2005 14:10
NEWS
Scientists have discovered that using a computer monitor can be bad for your eyes.
Researchers from Ohio State University found that people who squint at their PC's monitor looking at complex or detailed information onscreen, for example are prone to eye strain and a condition known as 'dry eye'.
The 'dry eye' which results from a lack of blinking isn't debilitating but can be irritating and uncomfortable.
Computer users often squint at their monitors to cut the brightness or to bring small details into clearer focus, according to the university's scientists, and people may not be aware they're squinting.
According to the scientists, most people who use monitors will squint, which then causes them to blink less. Even low-level squinting causing blink rates to half from 15 blinks a minute to 7.5 per minute, the researchers found.
The Ohio researchers studied 10 volunteers' blink rates using electrodes attached to an electromymogram and asked them to focus on a black dot on a screen, squinting to varying levels. When volunteers were at their most squinty, blinking reduced to four blinks per minute.
Comments
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1. Allan Knowles
Boots opticians in Kingston could have told them that back in 1984 when I first looked at wearing contact lenses! I was warned that I would have to make an effort to blink as the eye reduces the blink rate when looking at screens. In those days we were looking at resolutions of 80 characters by 25 lines so everything was a lot better in terms of visibility.
2. Julian Nicholls
Isn't this just common sense?
Having your eyes tested regularly if you use a computer even a few hours a day is vital.
I regularly read a book in the bath for hours without my glasses on, but couldn't use a computer for more than a few minutes.
3. Nigel Perry
I am certain now that using a VDU can be bad for your eyes, especially if you are already myopic. The more I use a VDU the more short sighted I become.
Thus far the effect appears to be reversible: repeatably my eyesight improves over several months if I greatly reduce my use of a VDU. My VDU is set up as per VDE regulations.
I have also found that wearing hard contact lenses rather than spectacles consistently improves my natural eyesight over several months. That effect seems to be recognised within the ophthalmic industry but few opticians are willing to discuss it.
When using a VDU, a snag with wearing contact lenses which compensate for myopia is that after your age exceeds about 40 years a lack of accommodation sets in with the result that you need VDU glasses when wearing the contact lenses. Ah well ....
4. anonymous
I write this before having put my lenses in the the day. I have soft ones 74% water, and they do indeed dry out. However, if you cannot read without correction, I would suggest lightly tinted specs, which reduce glare.
5. Simon
Perhaps the people who need to squint to read the screen should have been wearing glasses to start with ?
6. Paul
My eyes always dry now wearing contacts at work, to the point that I am now just wearing glasses which seems to help a lot.