Many people worldwide have problems with eyesight. It is not surprising that the doctors blame modern technologies. Resting from the computer, we watch TV or go to the cinema; if we do not drive a car or use public transportation, we read a book.
PC Is the Reason of Eye Problems
Ophthalmologists have recognized the personal computer as the main enemy of eyes: eye problems caused by a computer have a special name – computer eye syndrome (CES). Its symptoms are, unfortunately, familiar to anyone spending more than 5 hours a day in front of the monitor: dry eyes, burning, reddened eyelids, and headache.
Why Does Computer Screen Affect Eye Health More than Reading?
Our eyes are arranged in such a way that they anatomically need to change the angle of view, look alternately from a long and short distance. Those who spend 10 hours in front of the monitor do not have such a possibility, and their eyes get tired looking at one point. There is another problem which consists in rare blinking while looking at the monitor. Slimy eyes need constant moisturing, otherwise they get dry. What it leads us to is the well-known feeling of “sand in the eyes”, acute pain, and fatigue. The unfavorable environment, tobacco smoke, street dust, and gas polluted air also increase the dryness of the eyes. Waiting for rescue in the office is pointless: the conditioned air is extremely dry.
In addition, the quality of images on the monitor is different from the norm even if it is the best screen. First, it consists of pixels that constantly flicker (even though it is indistinguishable to the eye). Secondly, the pictures and the text are illuminated in such a way that it leads to an additional burden on the eyes. Third, the radiation of luminophores from the monitor does not coincide with the maximum spectral sensitivity of the eye.
How to Reduce the Eye Stress When Using Computer?
- The main advice given by ophthalmologists is to turn off the monitor every hour and have 10 minutes of rest. In reality, it is a difficult thing to do, so one can start with some fitness exercises for the eyes. Look out of the window and find the point at a maximum remote distance – a tower or an advertising board on the roof – then take turns looking at the glass and back at the distant place. Do not rotate the pupils of your eyes: you just need to change the distance and to focus.
- For comfortable work, select a good monitor and sit at a distance of not less than 60 cm. It would be ideal if the monitor were slightly above the eye level. The image on the screen consists of a set of twinkling dots which force us to strain our eyes. The LCD monitor pixels are continuously lit, and the image and the text are displayed without distortion, therefore, the eye strain is much smaller. It is important to have correct lighting. Natural light should fall on the left.
- Glasses for the computer can fully obstruct the UV rays and stop the harmful shortwave light. In addition, they increase the sharpness and contrast, remove the glare and relieve fatigue.
- If you wear contact lenses, they increase the dryness of the eyes just like medicines. Beginners should use eye drops if needed. Their consistency resembles real tears (such type of medicine is called “artificial tears”) and is an effective means to relieve fatigue and eye burning. To remove the redness and relieve fatigue, one should look for some medicine containing hyaluronic acid.
- The vitamins belonging to group A, B2, E, C, and calcium are very good for the eyes. In addition to such well-known product for improving eyesight as carrots, one can enrich the diet with cottage cheese, fish, blueberries, and other berries. Ophthalmologists recommend drinking vitamin-mineral complexes in autumn and in winter.
Interesting Facts about Eyes
- To improve their eyesight, Indian yogis used to look at the sun and the moon. The sun rays revitalize eyesight, accelerate blood circulation and kill germs.
- Strabismus was one of the signs of beauty, according to the Maya people. To intentionally develop it, a rubber ball was tied at the child’s eye level.
- “Crocodile tears” is not a myth. While eating their victim, crocodiles cry due to the abundance of salts.
- Herbivorous animals can be distinguished from predators according to the location of their eyes: the eyes of predators are on the front of the muzzle which helps them focus on the victim. The eyes of herbivores are usually separated and located on the opposite sides of the muzzle, which increases the sight range to detect any danger from a predator. However, monkeys are an exception: they have binocular vision and are not considered predators.
- The ancient Arabs tested their eyesight by looking at the Ursa Major constellation. If one could clearly see a little asterisk near the middle star in the handle of the bucket, it was evident that the eyesight was of a normal intensity.
Source of the image: Photl.
