Computers and Vision?

[Paradox]

What are the effects of staring at a computer screen for a prolonged period of time? Is bad for your vision? I'd say I usually get on twice a day, around an hour each time, maybe a little more. Is this bad for my eyes? And are there any other effects, other than vision problems (if that)?

[JazzRemington]

I remember reading something that doing so MAY cause glaucoma.

But regardless of whether that's true or not, I think it's obvious that starring at anything for a profoundly long time is probably bad for you.

[LSD]

Well, this is a rather complicated subject.

For one thing, it depends on the type of screen you're talking about. If you're using a CRT screen then the main issue is flickering and refresh rate. Some studies and lots of annectodal evidence suggest that because of the way CRTs work, they can cause headaches, vision problems, and induce migraines.

As for LCD screens, the main issue is the fluroescent tube behind the LC layer. If you tend to be sensitive to fluorescent lights then there's a good chance you'll react negitively. Again headaches, migraine, possible nausea.

Finally, for all computer screens, you are, effectively, staring at a very bright light for hours. This requires the pupil to be quite dilated and the lens to be quite focused. Some studies have shown that this can cause premature presbiopia and lens hardening. Also frequent exposure to bright lights can, again, cause headaches for some, especially those with family histories.

So the simple answer is ...maybe. :lol: It really depends on who you are. If you have a propensity to Migraine, or a family history, or are sensitive to flickering lights or flourescent lights, then you may react. Otherwise, if you haven't had a problem yet, you probably won't.

But as with new technlogies, the long-term studies have yet to be done. In 10 or 20 years, we'll know a lot more than we do now.