Computer vision syndrome? No Kidding!

I have noticed that since I am proofing and constantly looking at the computer screen, my eyes have become more drier it seems, to the point of really not being able to ignore the irritation, especially today. It looks like I'm going to have to pull out the eyedrops and keep 'em lubbed!

Obviously lots of people suffer from this, especially if they spend long hours gazing at a screen. Dr Mohan Rajan, medical director, Rajan Eye Care Hospital, a leading Chennai-based tertiary centre treating eye disorders explains:

“Normally we blink 15 times in a minute. But while working on computers, the blink rate comes down to 5 times a minute, resulting in the evaporation of fluids on the eye. This results in dry eye. For some, this may lead to severe headaches and in extreme cases even to depression (okay I'm not so sure I believe the depression bit).”

Let's do the math shall we? Normally if I blink 15x a minute for at least 7 hours I'm working (minus the 30 minutes for lunch and two 15-minute breaks) that's 15 x 60 minutes in a hour which is 900 times an hour (I'm pretty sure I don't do that much)... which would a total blinking of 6,300 times in 7 hours, which means relatively nothing really...cause obviously I'm not doing enough blinking or looking away from my screen.

Other symptoms of CVS, besides dry eyes, include: tired eyes, eyestrain, sore eyes, periodic blurred near vision, occasional blurred distance vision, slowness in changing the focus of your eyes, red eyes, burning eyes, contact lens discomfort, changes in color perception, glare sensitivity, excessive neck, shoulder and back pain. Okay, do some of these symptoms really relate to the eye issue or more so to protocol distances of screen to eyes, arms to keyboard, and overall posture at the computer desk? It would seem so to me.

What does this doctor recommend for eye symptoms? “We suggest a formula 20:20:20 to professionals. Every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds, blink 20 times,” he advises. One should take micropauses and focus on distant objects at regular intervals. I don't think I could do that every 20 minutes but maybe I could remember to do it occasionally. My suggestion is a good eye checkup first, and glasses if need be!

I can certainly identify with the dry eye thingy and blurred vision when its really bad! I know I am going to have to practice blinking more or looking away more frequently as my eyes are sooo dry that the drops burn hitting their green target! Time to lube up again!

My tired eyes and I will be back when we feel better. In the meantime, enjoy what's playing on in Pink Pod! including some new tunes, and 50 minutes of Walter Trout and the Radicals!

Somebody stole the pink pod?! go visit my MixPod site, and play it!

songs on this pod include:(but not limited to...lol)

The White Stripes Ball And Biscuit

Tore Down - Rory Gallagher

Zz Top - Jesus Just Left Chicago -

The White Stripes - 300 M.p.h. Torrential Outpour Blues

Goodbye Pork Pie Hat / Brush With The Blues By Jeff Beck

Angel By Eric Clapton & Jeff Beck

Rolling Stones Ventilator Blues Exile Main St.

Stop Breaking Down By The White Stripes

Red Death At 6:14- B-side Collection 1- The White Stripes

Still Got The Blues By Gary Moore

You Upset Me Baby By Joe Bonamassa

Blues Deluxe By Joe Bonamassa

'Say Goodbye To The Blues ' Walter Trout Band Live Op Ospel. Tribute To Stevie

3 O'clock Blues

Red House By Jimi Hendrix

Lp- Ball And Chain-- Big Mama Thornton And Lightning Hopkins

On The Road Again By Canned Heat

The Blues Had A Baby By Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters, Marijuana Blues - Champagne And Reeferjavascript:void(0)

Robert Cray - Playing In The Dirt Live At The Running Horse Nottingham

Dirty City ~ Steve Winwood

King, BB With Albert Collins / By King, Bb

Albert Collins - Iceman ~ gotta love this tune!~

Albert Collins - Lights Are On But Nobody's Home

and that's all the songs I've got on it for now! Would you like me to add something to it for your listening pleasure?! Just hollaback!