Every day without sitting at a computer, many office workers feel restless as if something is missing. The phenomenon of “computer addiction” among the youth, government employees, and office workers—including professions such as journalists and editors—is an undeniable reality.
This trend is increasing the risk of eye diseases, raising concerns among health experts…
Can computers cause illness?
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(Photo: TTO) |
Prolonged computer usage, day after day, leaves many people feeling sluggish. Eye strain, reduced vision, muscle fatigue, headaches, and nausea are the consequences of hours spent sitting in front of a computer screen.
Explaining why our eyesight worsens when using computers for extended periods, scientists suggest that focusing on a small screen at a fixed distance causes our eyes to work excessively, leading to fatigue.
Additionally, while using a computer, our eyes must remain wide open to continuously track text, symbols, and images that are always moving on the screen, resulting in a reduction of blinking—this is the primary cause of dry and irritated eyes.
We know that blinking helps distribute tears evenly across the surface of the cornea and conjunctiva, thus keeping the eyes moist. Therefore, if the frequency of blinking decreases, symptoms of dry, irritated eyes will appear. If eye strain and dryness persist over time, vision may be affected.
How to coexist with computers?
Regardless of what one might say, computers remain an essential tool for helping us work and communicate with others. If we must coexist with computers, it means we accept the potential for eye strain and other office-related ailments such as back pain, fatigue, and drowsiness. So how can we coexist with computers, much like the residents of the Mekong Delta coexist with floods?
If working on a computer for extended periods is unavoidable, our eyes need to rest appropriately. Science has shown that after working for 1-2 hours, our eyes should rest for 5-10 minutes by, for instance, stepping out onto the office balcony to enjoy the scenery or sipping a cup of tea or coffee. In other words, you should distance yourself from the computer and not remain seated at your desk while talking on the phone and using the mouse simultaneously, as if it’s a habitual practice.
The lighting in the office is also one of the objective factors that can harm your eyes. An office with well-arranged lighting and a seat near a window with a view will be a good solution for those quiet moments to enjoy the scenery and “nourish” your eyes. Thus, coexisting with computers does not mean you have to accept all the health risks that computers can pose.
Diet is also important to keep your eyes healthy and beautiful in an air-conditioned environment with computers. You should eat plenty of green vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A that are good for the eyes. Even though they only make up a small part of your daily diet, you shouldn’t overlook trace elements (copper, zinc) as they help prevent aging, keeping your eyes bright and healthy for longer.
Notably, according to proven research, natural shark cartilage helps nourish the eyes from the inside, providing long-term effects that prevent eye diseases and protect your eyes’ brightness. Currently, for those who must live with computers daily, eye supplements containing natural shark cartilage and trace elements (copper, zinc) are becoming a long-term treatment choice. For bright and beautiful eyes when using computers frequently, they must be healthy from within, not merely enhanced with makeup or mascara!
Ths.BS CAO MỸ LỆ – Director of Hanoi Eye Hospital (Thanh Niên)
