Something about going blind from looking at a screen?

[couch potato]

ok i wasnt sure what area to post this in, so i decided to put it in community. move it if you must.

anyway, does anyone know if its possible to get eye damage or go blind from looking at a monitor for too long? or maybe too closely for too long? i have heard many a rumor about this sort of thing, but have never heard anything "official". i hope its not true, although i have a strange feeling something like it IS true

same thing with a CRT giving off radiation, and if its better to look at a flat-screen

[OuTpaTienT]

Most (if not all) eye irritation and possibly damage comes from simply not blinking enough which causes dryness of the eyes.

http://pages.prodigy.net/unohu/sensitivity.htm

[Urban_Squrill]

Before I really used computers I never had to wear glasses. It maybe a computer thing of just a genetic thing(everyone in my family got glasses around my age)

[OuTpaTienT]

Originally posted by Urban_Squrill
(everyone in my family got glasses around my age)

It certainly sounds genetic to me. I don't understand why you'd even question otherwise.

[SiliconJon]

Well, my family is about 10% glasses. And most of those 10% are computer geeks, most of the rest work with computers on a daily basis.

So is there a connection? Well, there are couple who rarely look at a computer, one being my little sister...but she used to sit 10 inches from the TV when watching it, so she may not be an exception. I started wearing glasses two years after getting my first computer, and I spent a lot of time staring at that CGA screen at pretty close proximity. And, it was only a year after getting that computer my eyes started to go "bad", but being in high school, I was quite reluctant to correct my vision.

And if I sit here in front of my computer, say within 2 feet of my monitor, though usually right about 1.5 feet, my eyes will strain to focus for time afterwards. In fact, if I go two days without touching the computer, I can drive without my glasses. If I just got off the computer from say a 3 hour use, driving without my glasses becomes a bit suicidal.

But I may not be from this planet, so scientifically speaking my data may be inconclusive.

[Chuckiechan]

Didn't Abe Lincoln write on a shovel using charcoal in dim firelight? Things can be worse, you know.

You probably just need reading glasses.

BTW: Check your refresh rate on your monitor. 72 or so is good. Never ever use 60 because you will get flickering.

[OuTpaTienT]

Originally posted by SiliconJon
Well, my family is about 10% glasses. And most of those 10% are computer geeks, most of the rest work with computers on a daily basis.

So is there a connection? Well, there are couple who rarely look at a computer, one being my little sister...but she used to sit 10 inches from the TV when watching it, so she may not be an exception. I started wearing glasses two years after getting my first computer, and I spent a lot of time staring at that CGA screen at pretty close proximity. And, it was only a year after getting that computer my eyes started to go "bad", but being in high school, I was quite reluctant to correct my vision.

And if I sit here in front of my computer, say within 2 feet of my monitor, though usually right about 1.5 feet, my eyes will strain to focus for time afterwards. In fact, if I go two days without touching the computer, I can drive without my glasses. If I just got off the computer from say a 3 hour use, driving without my glasses becomes a bit suicidal.

But I may not be from this planet, so scientifically speaking my data may be inconclusive.

Well, I've been a computer geek for over 12 years. Often sitting way too close to my monitor. My eyes get blurry only when I've been awake too long. But that happens whether I'm in front of a computer or not.

I have excellent vision, better than 20/20. Have never needed glasses. My vision is still just as sharp as it's always been (although at 35 I'm sure it'll start going downhill pretty soon.)

So my "proof" is just as valid as yours that computers don't affect your vision in any way shape or form.

[Telexen]

I've been staring at computer screens most of my life - and a VERY poor one for the last 5 years (I put up with 60hz ). The entire rest of my family has poor vision and wears glasses - I've never needed them though and can see perfectly fine.

[Mickwish]

A lot of eye problems supposedly related to computers are to do with eye strain, which is not really computer related, really. You can get eye strain from almost any activity which doesn't allow your eyes the correct light and focus they need for the task. reading in dim light will do it. Trying to watch anything that's not in focus will it.

So, the question about whether computers cause eye damage should really be: what aspects of computer use can cause eye damage? And what should I do to try to prevent any damage?

IMO, anyway.

Cheers
Mick

[SeanC]

I used the old Comodore Vic 20 on an old 10" TV when I was 7 or so (I think, can't remember the exact year). I didn't need glasses until I was 16 or 17.

I can't really say, if I hadn't used computers would my vision be better? Who knows.

Sean