Heavy computer use linked to eye disease

pr0digal jenius · Nov 16, 2004, 10:37 PM

Hours in front of a computer screen may increase the risk of glaucoma in people who are myopic or near-sighted, Japanese scientists said Tuesday.

Glaucoma, which is caused by damage to the optic nerve, results in blind spots or visual impairments that can rob people of their sight.

Smoking and high blood pressure are potential risk factors, but Japanese researchers believe that excessive computer use may also play a role in near-sighted people.

"Myopic workers with a history of long-term computer using might have an increased risk of visual field abnormalities, possibly related to glaucoma," Dr. Masayuki Tatemichi, of the Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo, said in a report in the British Journal of Opthalmology.

The researchers studied about 10,000 workers in Japan, who were chosen for testing as part of a routine medical checkup. They also completed a questionnaire about how much time they spent using a computer and any eye problems. The average age of the participants was 43.

About 5 percent of the workers in the study had visual field problems. A further test revealed that about a third of them had suspected glaucoma. The scientists said there appeared to be a link between glaucoma and heavy computer use in the near-sighted.

The scientists believe that the optic nerve in near-sighted people may be more vulnerable to computer stress than in normal eyes.

"Computer stress is reaching higher levels than have ever been experienced before. In the next decade, therefore, it might be important for public health professionals to show more concern about myopia and visual field abnormalities in heavy computer users," the scientists added.
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Source: C|Net

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Nov 16, 2004, 11:31 PM

a spliff a day will keep glaucoma away

dsdsdk · Nov 17, 2004, 12:50 AM

cant read the letters.. what does it say?

BWX · Nov 17, 2004, 12:58 AM

Great I'm 20/600 and stare at this monitor 15 hours a day.. maybe more.

vailr · Nov 17, 2004, 01:17 AM

Suggestion: someone should add some comparisons of eye-related problems, of those who use CRT's vs. LCD displays. Supposedly, LCD's are somewhat safer.

Dom · Nov 17, 2004, 01:50 AM

My eyesight sucks anyway. It's probably, like 50/50. Add that up and it makes 100 - I figure that's about right.

starfury6 · Nov 17, 2004, 11:31 AM

Without my glasses or contacts I'm as blind as a stump. Started wearing glasses when I was 13 (30 now) and I've always played games and used computers since the Atari 2600 came out. I also spend 12 hours per day using them now.

I'm stuffed. Although I'd have thought other things would make me blind by now

Callandor · Nov 17, 2004, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

a spliff a day will keep glaucoma away

You said it dude!!!!

Nov 16, 2004, 10:37 PM	#1
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	Heavy computer use linked to eye disease Hours in front of a computer screen may increase the risk of glaucoma in people who are myopic or near-sighted, Japanese scientists said Tuesday. Glaucoma, which is caused by damage to the optic nerve, results in blind spots or visual impairments that can rob people of their sight. Smoking and high blood pressure are potential risk factors, but Japanese researchers believe that excessive computer use may also play a role in near-sighted people. "Myopic workers with a history of long-term computer using might have an increased risk of visual field abnormalities, possibly related to glaucoma," Dr. Masayuki Tatemichi, of the Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo, said in a report in the British Journal of Opthalmology. The researchers studied about 10,000 workers in Japan, who were chosen for testing as part of a routine medical checkup. They also completed a questionnaire about how much time they spent using a computer and any eye problems. The average age of the participants was 43. About 5 percent of the workers in the study had visual field problems. A further test revealed that about a third of them had suspected glaucoma. The scientists said there appeared to be a link between glaucoma and heavy computer use in the near-sighted. The scientists believe that the optic nerve in near-sighted people may be more vulnerable to computer stress than in normal eyes. "Computer stress is reaching higher levels than have ever been experienced before. In the next decade, therefore, it might be important for public health professionals to show more concern about myopia and visual field abnormalities in heavy computer users," the scientists added. ________________ Source: C\|Net

Nov 16, 2004, 11:31 PM	#2
BiGBrOwNPimpsta HH's #1 Hustla and Pimp Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Dirty Dot Posts: 7,706 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	a spliff a day will keep glaucoma away __________________ Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music \| Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers \| 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners \| Logitech G700 Mouse \| Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard

Nov 17, 2004, 12:50 AM	#3
dsdsdk DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Denmark, CPH. Posts: 586 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	cant read the letters.. what does it say? __________________ No more Kitty!

Nov 17, 2004, 12:58 AM	#4
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,665 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	Great I'm 20/600 and stare at this monitor 15 hours a day.. maybe more. __________________

Nov 17, 2004, 11:31 AM	#7
starfury6 Dark Jedi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 334 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Without my glasses or contacts I'm as blind as a stump. Started wearing glasses when I was 13 (30 now) and I've always played games and used computers since the Atari 2600 came out. I also spend 12 hours per day using them now. I'm stuffed. Although I'd have thought other things would make me blind by now __________________ [color=DeepSkyBlue][/color] [color=DeepSkyBlue] Intel Q6600 / Dual 8800 GTS 512/ Asus Striker II Formula OCZ 4GB DDR2 1066 / Scythe Ninja / Hyper 880w 3 x Maxtor 750GB total SATAII / LG Multi Blu[/color]

Nov 17, 2004, 01:17 AM	#5
vailr DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 72 Rep Power: 0	Suggestion: someone should add some comparisons of eye-related problems, of those who use CRT's vs. LCD displays. Supposedly, LCD's are somewhat safer.

Nov 17, 2004, 01:50 AM	#6
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	My eyesight sucks anyway. It's probably, like 50/50. Add that up and it makes 100 - I figure that's about right.