Blog study

[brd888]

I think this study on the dry eye blog needs more attention:

"Abstract: Computer use & dry eye
RESULTS: Of the 4393 office workers, 3549 (80.1%) completed the questionnaire. Clinically diagnosed DED was present in 266 (10.1%) of 2640 male subjects and in 195 (21.5%) of 909 female subjects. Severe symptoms of DED were observed in 711 male and in 436 female participants. More than 4 hours of VDT use was associated with an increased risk of DED"

I know it is obvious to have strained eyes after 4 hours on the pc but "severe symptoms" in 25% of men and 47% of women? I mean holy crap what sort of damage is happening here?

Bruce

[Rebecca Petris]

It really is astonishing. And that study sports some of the top names in dry eye research.

There have been several reports out in the last couple of years - some of them in occupational health type journals. Offices are bad for our eyes, period. This info needs to get out there so that companies will start doing more to invest in caring for their employees' eyes/vision. - In some other way than by offering free LASIK seminars, as one member's government agency employer did awhile back

[blackberry]

Scary Stats

Those are amazing statistics. I think of all the time I spend on a computer -- up to 10 hours a day -- and wonder how much better my eyes would be if that wasn't the case. Since computers will be with us for a while, we'll have to figure out a way to take care of ourselves.

[brd888]

Yes but those numbers say approx 1 out of 3 had severe symptoms - this doesnt sound right at all. If they are correct it is very concerning for a lot of us - especially dry eye patients who still work in these conditions.

I had come to the conclusion my office problems were a red herring. Currently it is a comfortable 40% humidity at my workplace - better than 1 year ago when it was 25%. I still sit 4-5 hours at the PC but have done this for over 12 years.

Maybe there is something in modern Microsoft type applications. In the older days my computer aided design system was run on big black background CRTs with greenscreen side monitor. PCs were used only occasionally.
Nowadays everything is in Windows, bright white backgrounds and every application under the sun is done on the computer.....