[Reader-list] Computer addicts could go blind!

[Shivam]

Computer addicts could go blind! 

[Health India]: London, Nov 16 : 
http://news.newkerala.com/health-news-india/?action=fullnews&id=42840

A new research has found that constant use of computers may be linked
to the development of a progressive eye disease, specially in
shortsighted people, which eventually leads to blindness, according to
a report published in the British Medical Journal.

Glaucoma is a relatively common eye disease that develops very slowly,
characterised by progressive sight defects or visual field
abnormalities over time. Its exact cause is unknown, although
potential risk factors, including smoking and high blood pressure,
have been suggested.

Researchers at the Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo
categorized the use of computers in blocks of five years, ranging from
less than five years, to more than 20 years, as well as the average
amount of time spent at the screen per session, ranging from 1 hour to
more than 8 hours at a time.

An in-depth eye test revealed that around a third of the workers had
suspected glaucoma, characterised by distinct visual field
abnormalities. And there also appeared to be a significant link
between these and heavy computer use among workers who were short
sighted.

In fact, the most common refractive error was short sightedness,
leading the authors to speculate that the optic nerve in short sighted
eyes might be more vulnerable to computer stress than it is in normal
eyes. (ANI)