Your eyes and your computer

Philippines
December 30, 2007 11:09pm CST
I remember my aunt telling me that when you use a computer especially for long hours at work, you have to take some time to rest your eye and look at something else, preferably something that is far away, for quite some time. This helps her relax her eyes and avoid eyesight problems. What do you do to rest your eyes from the computer?
2 people like this
7 responses
• United States
1 Jan 08
That is a miss understanding- that staring at the computer for too long can put strain on your eyes. Here, let me try to explain something- The only time that a computer can put strain on your eyes, is if you have a CRT monitor. a CRT monitor, just incase you do not know, is one of those bulky monitors. What happens is, the monitor is constantly flashing, about 70 times a second. Now, this flashing is not consciously visible, however your eyes are really re-adjusting themselves every time it blinks- meaning, 70 times a second. This 70 time a second adjustment causes the pupils in your eyes to dielate, and retract, thus- causing the muscles to become soar. In this case, one should make sure as to keep their eyes closed. They are muscles, so you should rest them just like you would rest the muscles in- lets say, your arms are legs. You can also put a warm, damp, rag over your eyes as well- as this will sooth the muscles. Now, as for LCD monitors, or displays of a laptop- these do not cause the eye strain. Now the reason why they do not caause the eye strain is for the simple fact that it is a liquid crystal display. This means, as well, that it is not neccessary for it to blink the 70 times that a CRT monitor would blink. I hoped that answered your question somewhat as to what, if any thing, you should if you have eye strain. I wouldnt put to much into it if you dont have a CRT monitor.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
1 Jan 08
Oh i see, so CRT monitors give more eye strain that LCD. So can you say LCD is more recommended? THanks for the detailed explanation. I really learned a lot. Thanks so much
@Arkadus (895)
• Canada
31 Dec 07
I've never heard that before. Untill I hear otherwise though I'm going to file it with 'don't sit too close to the tv' under 'Old Wices Tales.' I've been using computers for long expanses of time for years no and my eye sights just as bad/good as it was before I started doing that I am curious to know though if any studies have been done to try to prove wether you should actually do this.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
1 Jan 08
Well good for your eyesight Arkadus. :) I don't know if there are studies proving this, just heard it from my aunt.
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
1 Jan 08
I also tries to look away from the computer screen as far as possible. I sometimes washes my eyes with water. I tries to take frequent rest in between every one hour. Most days I work for around 10 to 14 hours in the front of the computer. I am working as a medical transcriptionist. I tries to take rest so that I get enough rest of my body and my eyes.
• Philippines
2 Jan 08
I believe that you should rest for a while first before washing your eyes with water. Same thing with working.
@subha12 (18441)
• India
31 Dec 07
yes it is a correct fact. I generally try to move my eyes off the computer screen every half an hour. In office it is not possible to look at a distant object. Generally i try to take a little stroll around.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
31 Dec 07
thanks!
@chrislotz (8137)
• Canada
8 Jan 08
I don't find I need to rest my eyes, but I do stretch my body every hour when I am on the computer for a long time. I get up and do some stretch exercises so I guess that is when I get my eyes off the screen. I don't think the computer does any harm to your eyes. I have mentioned to my eye doctor that I'm on the computer a lot and he says its just a myth that the computer harms your eyesight.
• Canada
31 Dec 07
Lol i sleep =) haha really though i tend to get all the troubles associated with long computer use out of the way at once. Once every two or three hours i get up to get a drink of water, stretch, go for a walk etc etc. It helps to get all parts of your body from being stiff and all the while your eyes are getting rest from the screen. At night however, yes, rest for the eyes comes from sleep.
• Philippines
31 Dec 07
thanks!
@bear_cute (124)
• Malaysia
2 Jan 08
Hi friend,actually i can't see the computer for a long time because i very easy to sleepy.i don't like my situation.so to solve the problem if i feel sleepy i hurry wake up and do other job.seldom i watching television or cooking at kitchen.sometimes make a drink for rest.