The human eye, profound and unique is its design. The human pupil adjusts constantly, thousands of times during one day, adapting to light and the proximity of things looked at in the places visited. No doubt, though, this world has drastically changed since the eye was designed and created. In this day and age named the "Digital Age", people are purchasing more and more computers and cellular telephones. According to the 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, over 175 million working Americans suffer from computer eyestrain and nearly 60 million children connect to the internet either at school or at home (United States).
There has developed a dependence on the use of technology and there are possible risks of damaging one's eyes forever. Computer and telephone screens can actually speed up the process of eye aging. Over time, over usage of it can cause the eye to slow down in making its adjustments. In order to perform simple computer related tasks, users must constantly move the eyes back and forth from the computer screen to the key board as the object being moved changes; there is a need for the eyes to adjust to make the image sharper. This constant adjustment of the ciliary muscle, the iris, can cause it to weaken which causes presbyopia. This usually does not happen until the age of forty. However, because of a constant influx of new technology on the market everyday, people, especially children and young adults, in the office and home settings will not stop using it. As a matter of fact, a recent survey done of about forty middle aged people, reports that children of two people wear reading glasses and they are not yet over the age of forty (Marshall survey). Many eye care professionals that specialize in children's vision state that prolonged use of the computer put them at risk for progressive nearsightedness or myopia (Heiting 5). A recent study of ophthalmologists in India has proven that 90% of the 70 million people in the U.S who spend three hours or more per day on the computer experience some form of CVS (Bali 289). Symptoms of eye fatigue also known as computer vision syndrome include blurred distant vision, dry of irritated eyes, blurred near vision, and double vision. In the long term, not only can this cause myopia in children but can cause binocular vision dysfunctions and dry eyes (www.aoa.org).
Although these problems can be easily corrected, it is best to take preventative measures. Phones and computers have become a main part of peoples' lives. As a matter of fact, Apple sold 7.33 million ipads before December 25, 2010 (apple.com). Imagine the sales for 2011? HP was selling $99 dollar tablets in the beginning of 2011. They were able to sell 204,000 (Pierce15). People are desperate to buy this advanced technology. In addition, screen darkeners have become almost obsolete. To solve the on going problem of eye diseases caused by computer and phone screens, consumers should be warned about the effects of high resolution technology and certain light sources which could cause eye deterioration.
[...] Once upon a time, these bulky looking things used to be part of a normal office setting. Almost every computer used to have a screen darkener or glare reducer. It was the latest fashion, so to speak, for computers. Now, computers come with built in screen darkeners. However, do they help to reduce glare? No, the truth is that they do not reduce glare. In order to help reduce the stress that the eyes go through when utilizing a computer one must be sure that the lighting in the room matches the darkness or lighting on the screen of the device. [...]
[...] Still out of all owners' manuals for phones looked over, not one of them spoke about the issues that could possibly come about from continuous use of the device for watching television or surfing the internet. It has become clear that the problem is persisting because people do not know. Many just attribute it to needing new glasses or needing glasses period. As a matter of fact, it is computer vision syndrome which can cause more serious complications. Screen darkeners have become a phenomenon of the past. [...]
[...] Best Buy Dec Dec 2011. Dell. Safety Instructions. Dell Computer Corporation Dell. When Using Your Computer. Dell Computer Corporation Heiting, Gary. Computers, and Computer Vision.” All About Vision 12/15/2011 Keyonna Marshall. “Keyonna Marshall Interview Questions.” Email to David Popper O.D. 12/28/11 Manson, Ellsworth. “Lighting and Mechanical Progress in Universities.” Library Trends. October 1969: 246-48 Marshall, Keyonna. “Computer Vision Syndrome.” Survey. 26/12/11 Office Depot. [...]
[...] This can be done by emphasizing it in manuals. Doctors can chip-in, so to speak, as well, by speaking to patients who are exhibiting symptoms instead of just prescribing lubricating drops for dry eye. Optometrists can prescribe glasses with anti-glare coating and progressive lenses to lessen the impact of computer and phone screens. The “Digital can be one of new insight and learning experience if a limited number of problems come out of it. Let us all do the best we can to minimize the possibility of problems and get the most benefits from technology as it continues to advance and change the face of the world as we know it. [...]
[...] Hands, wrists, and forearms must be aligned and parallel to the floor. Head must be in-line with torso. Shoulders and upper arms must be relaxed and hang normally at the side of the body. Feet must be supported by the floor or a footrest and back must be supported when sitting up straight or slightly leaning back. Computer monitor must be 20- 25 inches away and must hang just below eye level (osha.gov). Although proper positioning may be utilized, the eyes may still get strained after viewing the computer screen for too long. [...]
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