Slashdot Mirror
Computers, Long Hours and Vision Problems?
msid asks: "I have been computing for almost 10 years, starting back in 1996 when my father bought me my first computer. In the process, I fell in love with computers and got stuck with them. The last year though has been a real challenge for me. I sleep 5 hours, in average, per day and I spend more that 15 hours in front of my laptop's monitor (a 17" TFT Widescreen), either programming or reading. I have never had 'problems' with my vision up until now. Do you have a specific way of using light sources in your workspace? I have heard of special glasses for computer users. Should I use them or not?"
"A week ago, I checked my eyes and I found 0.25 astigmatism in both of them. They told me that this is not necessarily a problem, and it is mainly due to the intensive computer work. The actual symptom is that I lose my concentration more easily now. Also, the lighting of the monitor is killing me, especially when combined with a white background. Since I am willing to continue working in the same pace that I do now, what do you propose? Is there a habit that you follow to relax your eyes? Is there a way of preventing vision problems?"
I can't vouch for this, but it's interesting information -- why aren't you googling?
Key quote from above article:
For the record, I've been using computers for LONG hours for over twenty years and haven't noticed any deterioration in my ability to sads lkjasl llksdkl!
The machine's wearing out.
Accept it.
...for your opthamologist.
- AMW
"I was able to drop my driving restriction and I pass every eye test I've taken for the past few years -- without my glasses on. Anyone else have similar problems with glasses?"
Very similar here. Except that my vision didn't improve; my ability to compensate, say, by guessing the letters on the chart improved. This means that though my vision is still crappy, I can legally drive without corrective lenses.
The funny thing is, I am very aware of how bad my eyesight is -- so I drive with my glasses on. Until I pull up next to a hot chick in a convertible, then the glasses are off and I light a cigarette, you know, to look cool.
"Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
Actually, when I was single and got rid of my real glasses I wore fake glasses because it increased my success rate with women. Go figure. I also think girls in glasses are far more attractive that girls without glasses (when the wife wants to get some, she wears her glasses, too).
My vision DID get better though -- based on my current annual eye exam.
the main problem with using computers for 10 years is that, invariably, your eyes age 10 years.
I tried to tell that to my wife...
She didn't talk to me for 2 days... that IS theraputic!
0xB315AA8D852DCD3F3DCA578FD2E0BF88
I whack myself on the head with a hammer 25 times a day. For some reason I now have a hammer shaped indentation in my skull. Do any other
-- SIGFPE
Your problem is that your body isn't accustomed to being in front of the computer so long.
:) Oh yeah, and beware of the cat.
But don't worry! I have a friend who might help you - he found out how to stay connected 24-hours a day! Log in at the CC network's BBS, and ask for Tsukasa. Good luck!
P.S. There are some side effects of using his method, but don't worry too much about it, you won't even feel them.
Yes, get a sex partner. Then you'll quit spending so much time with the computer.
When I first got AOL ~1994 and sat down for about 1 hour of computing, my eyes were sower and red. my eyes adjusted after a few days, but im not sure if thats for the better.
That's normal with AOL. It's just your body coping with trauma.
My vision DID get better though
;)
Duh! That's because you stopped doing other things that make you go blind
Yeah, the one that sticks out in my mind is "Hi, I work for a government contractor and want root access to our new cluster. Can Slashdot help me justify this to my company as somehow necessary?"
Ah, a wife.
I get about two to three hours sleep per day cycle, and I'm perfectly fine.
Apart from the odd hand convulsions.
Plus the inability to concentrate.
Slurred speech.
Lack of spatial awareness.
Irritability.
Yeah, I think I should really get more sleep, on the other hand I can still maintain top positions in all my classes with this amount of rest. However the fact I rest *in* school doesn't help either.
I'm more than certain I have problems, but at what age does one normally lose the ability to function without a solid six hours sleep a night rest?
I think I should also google at what point sleep deprivation turns into clinical insomnia. Oh well, no way that I'll have time to sleep now!
``Marcel
Psst! You may need to have your eyes examined...
Game... blouses.
If you swear, and I mean the oath kind, never, ever to play an online game, be it a combat simulator or virtual world, your eyesight will return, your S.O. will come back to your loving arms, your pickup truck will eventually get fixed, and you can get your old job back. Wow, I sound like a country music album, but played backwards.