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What sitting at a computer all day does to your eyes
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Sitting at a computer for eight hours is hard on the eyes. If your eyes are tired and your vision blurry, you might have computer vision syndrome, but doing this for 20 seconds every two hours will help. - photo by Jennifer Graham
Sitting at a computer all day isn't good for your health, and not just because you're still when your body would rather move around. If your eyes feel tired and your vision starts to blur, you might have computer vision syndrome, but don't worry it's temporary, and there's an easy way to combat it.

Also called digital related eyestrain, computer vision syndrome is characterized by headaches, dry eyes, neck and shoulder pain and blurred vision, the American Optometric Association says.

In a report on the condition, NPR said it's not officially recognized by insurers not yet, anyway. For now, most doctors are classifying it as asthenopia, eyestrain caused from general overuse or fatigue. But a professor at SUNY College of Optometry told NPR's Zhai Yun Tan that may change.

"I think research is coming out now that this really is a different condition," Mark Rosenfield said. "There is something about these screens that is different from paper and so we're trying to figure out what aspects of screens is it that is causing problems."

The amount of time spent in front of a screen probably is a factor, Rosenfield said, noting that reading books or newspapers can also cause eye strain, but few people hunch over paper for as long as they do a screen.

The average person spends seven hours a day in front of a screen, putting eye muscles in an extended state of tension, Steve Loomis, president of the American Optometric Association, told NPR.

"We're not really designed to do full-time near work; we're designed to do part-time near work," Loomis said.

When we stare at a screen for hours, we abuse our eyes in multiple ways. We don't blink as much, which reduces tear volume, which can lead to irritation and burning. We assault our eyes with glare from windows, overhead lights and the computer itself. And, NPR notes, we position screens closer to our eyes than we should.

The ideal distance, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration says, is 20 to 40 inches away. And it's best to look down at the screen, about 15 degrees, NPR said.

After making these adjustments, if your eyes still feel strained, you can try anti-glare filters and eyedrops, and heed the 20-20-20 rule: Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Getting up and moving around for five minutes an hour will help both your eyes and the rest of your body.

And remember to blink. In addition to keeping our eyes lubricated, blinking at least 15-20 times a minute gives the brain a tiny break and may help improve focus, Smithsonian magazine said.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.