C4

By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com

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Local optometrists believe it's more important than ever that New Brunswickers take steps to protect their eyes.

That's because people are spending considerably more time staring at computer screens, televisions, and cellphones.

Canadian eye-health professionals have noticed a sharp spike in the number of people coming in today with signs of computer vision syndrome than five years ago, according to a study conducted by a Canadian marketing firm.

The poll also discovered that 40 per cent of the country's baby boomers between the ages of 45 and 54 associate the vision problems they experience with their growing screen time.

Dr. Lillian Linton, who is an optometrist in Perth-Andover and who is the president-elect of the Canadian Association of Optometrists, said staying current with modern technology places a greater demand on the human eye.

"We know for a fact that people are spending 7.5 to eight hours per day in front of a computer screen, and the bottom line is they're not only looking at a computer screen," she said.

"They're looking at a television screen, they're looking at cellphones, their (personal digital assistants), palm pilots, and everything else. Our eyes weren't designed to do that."

She said staring at a monitor can have an immediate impact on your eye health.

"A lot of people aren't aware that normally you would blink 16 to 20 times per minute," she said.

"That rate actually decreases to six to eight times per minute when you're working on a computer. So what's happening is your tear film is literally drying out, and you're not blinking enough, so a lot of people will complain about blurred vision, or that their eyes feel like there's gravel in them."

Linton said eye-health professionals believe women are more susceptible to dry eyes, a fact that may have to do with changes in the body's hormones.

Want some tips for protecting your eyes while working on a computer?

Linton said the screen should be situated about 10-13 centimetres below your regular eye level.

Position the screen so that glare from nearby lights and windows can be avoided. Make sure the chair is a suitable height and distance from the screen.

And to prevent eye strain, take frequent breaks from the screen. That can be achieved by taking a short walk to the watercooler or simply closing your eyes.

Linton said people should rest their eyes for 15 minutes after two hours of continuous computer use, and look off into the distance for 20 seconds for every 20 minutes of computer usage.

She said that'll give the eyes a chance to refocus.

"The easiest way to combat (computer vision syndrome) is to be kind to your eyes."

She said October is Eye Health Month so people should take the time to check the date of their last eye examination.

"Make (getting an eye exam) a regular habit. It's no different than seeing your dentist or a getting a regular health examination," she said.

"See your optometrist regularly, or as often as they recommend. Every person is different."