Eye Strain, Dry Eyes, Fatigue and Headaches Associated With Those Spending More Than Four Hours in Front of Digital Devices

/PRNewswire/ -- Eye strain, fatigue and headaches are common indicators that your digital devices - including computer monitors, smart phones and video games - might be causing you discomfort.

According to recent research with VSP Vision Care eye doctors, 33 percent reported that nearly one third or more of their patients suffer from symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome or digital device-related vision problems. The most common symptoms of patients suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome include eye strain (82 percent), dry or irritated eyes (74 percent), fatigue (70 percent) and headaches (61 percent). Yet, two in three eye doctors report 20 percent or fewer of their patients even know what Computer Vision Syndrome is, showing a low level of understanding of the condition.

Computer Vision Syndrome is a serious condition that can have a major impact on the well-being, work productivity and learning capacity. As six hours is the average time spent in front of a digital device, American workers alone are spending in excess of 200 billion hours a year in front of a digital screen.

"Computer Vision Syndrome is a major problem for Americans," said Dr. Nate Bonilla-Warford, VSP provider. "For professionals with this condition, work productivity can decrease by as much as 20 percent. We are seeing patients uncomfortable in the workplace with neck pain, headaches, eye strain, blurred vision, etc. that could easily be avoided. It's important for people to discuss their digital usage with their eye doctor and make sure they are getting annual eye exams."

VSP Vision Care recommends the following tips to help lessen the symptoms of computer-related eye strain:

1. Blink Often: When looking at a computer or hand-held digital device,
it's common for you to blink two to three times less than you normally
would. This can lead to "dry eye." Blinking bathes your eyes in
tears, and tears are naturally therapeutic for the eyes.
2. The 20/20/20 Rule: When spending long periods in front of a digital
device, every 20 minutes, spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet
away to allow your eyes to rest.
3. Ensure Proper Lighting: Poor lighting often causes eye strain. To help
ease the strain on your eyes, keep bright lighting overhead to a
minimum and position your desk lamp to shine on your desk, and not at
you. Position your computer screen in a way that reduces reflections
and glare from windows or overhead lights.


"Today, digital device eye strain is the number one computer-related complaint ahead of carpal-tunnel, neck and back pain," Dr. Bonilla-Warford continued. "Eye doctors are trained to help patients mitigate the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome, and can even offer computer vision glasses, which are prescribed glasses that provide the optimal lens power for viewing your computer screen at the correct distance, without the need for excessive focusing or squinting."

For more information about computer-related vision problems visit the "My Eyes" tab at www.facebook.com/VSPVisionCare.

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CEA’s Shapiro Responds to House Action to Change DTV Transition Deadline to June 12, 2009

TT Note: Why did the government step in on this issue? Education of the public has been ongoing for over a year, and now the feds say there hasn't been enough time for about 6.5 million families to get ready?

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) President and CEO, Gary Shapiro today issued the following statement regarding the action in the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the date U.S. broadcasters transition from analog to digital television (DTV):

“Our nation is leading the world in the digital migration, and CEA again pledges full support for a successful transition to digital television. We will quickly update our consumer education material as necessary and we will devote a significant portion of our Washington Forum event in April to DTV education.

“As CEA has repeatedly cautioned, this date change will inject uncertainty into the market and may result in a shortage of converter boxes, because manufacturers and retailers planned box inventory based on a February 17 transition date. CEA urges Congress and the Administration to take the necessary steps to ensure converter box availability and to urge consumers to act immediately to enjoy the benefits of DTV.”

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You can run, but you can't hide...

Seems we can't get away from cell phones, iPods, Blackberries (should it be Blackberrys? I know there's at least one grammar teacher in my readership ;-), and the like. Go to a restaurant and TVs are hung on the walls. Stand in line at Wal-Mart and many other stores and you can watch Jay Leno... and a whole bunch of advertising. Cars now have DVD players as part of the package and if your vehicle is too old to have that luxury you can pick up a portable that plugs into what used to be a cigarette lighter and is now a plug for laptops and other electronics.

We are connected. We are bombarded.

Personally, doesn't bother me a bit except the televisions. I choose restaurants where I can talk to whoever I'm with. I want to get away from the mind-numbing blare of the TV. I'd rather make friends with someone new in line at the store than have advertising pumped into my brain.

Microsoft's latest venture is rather interesting. They're collaborating to make a digital grocery cart console. You'll be able to find out where products are in the store, scan and pay for items and... listen to advertising. We're moving one more step away from interaction with people. Many stores now have the self service lines where you do it all yourself. This I gather is the next step, complete with advertising to pay for it.

Video ads are planned for grocery carts
SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. is bringing digital advertising to the grocery cart. The software maker spent four years working with Plano, Texas-based MediaCart Holdings Inc. on a grocery cart-mounted console that helps shoppers find products in the store, then scan and pay for their items without waiting in the checkout line.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080114/ap_on_hi_te/microsoft_shopping_carts