Ross Brinkerhoff spends an average of eight hours staring at a computer screen the night before a photo assignment deadline.
These long periods of computer time can cause some minor optical problems for students like Brinkerhoff, who has personally experienced eye fatigue while working.
It's usually a whole body experience that's coupled with being tired
said Brinkerhoff, a freshman studying photojournalism.
Eye fatigue, headaches, dry eyes and blurred vision are just a few symptoms that can be caused by electronic screens, said Dr. Jeffrey Anshel, O.D. and founder of Corporate Vision Consulting.
People blink about one third of the normal rate when looking at a computer screen Anshel said, adding that this can cause many of the problems.
But computer screens are not the only devices that can strain the eyes.
A study at Pacific University found that people using handheld devices like iPods, cell phones and PDAs hold them much closer to their eyes than materials printed on paper. The small font size and close proximity can cause optical stress.
Although there is no research to indicate that computer screens cause any eye diseases like glaucoma or cataracts, they can worsen nearsightedness since that is the eyes' way of adapting to the stress of close work, Anshel said.
However, there are preventative steps that can be taken to avoid some of these uncomfortable symptoms.
Anshel suggests keeping desktop computers at least 24 inches away, and using laptops less, adding that they were originally designed only for part-time use.
If these adjustments are not viable, simply adjusting your gaze can be a much-needed rest for strained eyes.
Every 20 minutes take 20 seconds and look 20 feet away
said Anshel, and learn to keep your distance.
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Gina Edwards
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Freshman Samantha Tabor stares at a computer screen (Photo Illustration by Zach Nelson | For The Post).
