Relief from Work-related Eye Strain

It is estimated that 104 million working-age Americans spend at least seven hours a day in front of computer screens, according to the American Optometric Association. This prolonged screen time can have negative effects on a person’s eye health, leading to conditions such as dry or watery eyes, blurred vision, headaches, migraines, myopia, and vertigo.

 

This discomfort one experiences caused by eye strain is often due to the ciliary muscle, which helps the eyes focus. The ciliary muscle is a multi-unit smooth muscle found in the eye that adjusts the shape of the lens, enabling us to focus on objects at varying distances. It is made up of longitudinal, radial, and circular fibers that contract during the process of accommodation, allowing the eye to focus on different objects. These muscles should not remain tense for long periods. Which is what occurs throughout the day while focusing on a single spot like a computer screen. 

Here are some tips to reduce eye strain:

 

• Follow the 20-20-20 Rule-It states when working in front of a screen for several hours you should take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away.

• Adjust Your Desk Setup: Position your computer monitor just below eye level, reduce glare, and adjust your screen's brightness to a comfortable level. Keep screens clean and maintain a distance of 20 to 26 inches from your face.

• Enlarge Font Size- Increasing font size can reduce eye strain while reading on screens. 

• Sleep Soundly by turning off screens one to two hours before bedtime and switching devices to dark mode in the evening.

• Use Artificial tears this can help alleviate eye dryness. 

By implementing these tips, you can help protect your eye health and minimize discomfort caused by excessive screen time.

Sources

www.visualsymptomstreatment.com

www.brownhealth.org

www.optometrists.org

www.health.harvard.edu

www.gmtoday.com

Photos:

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2018/09/13/7-ways-your-office-job-is-destroying-your-body/

https://scribewilcox.com/4280/uncategorized/do-smartphone-screens-damage-your-eyes/

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Are You Joking? - President's Day Edition

 

1. Which U.S. president got the job online?

Abraham LinkedIn

2. Which U.S. president starred in sci-fi movies?

Ronald Ray Gun.

3. Which U.S. presidents were the greenest?

The Bushes.

4. What would you get if you crossed a vegetable with our first president?

George Squashington!

5. How are presidents like diapers?

They need to be changed regularly and for the same reason.

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Do the Eyes Speak the Language of Love

As many celebrate Valentine's Day this week, it's a great opportunity to explore how much we can communicate simply by looking at someone we're attracted to. The eyes reveal a great amount of information about a person, including their thoughts and emotions. Love and attraction are often expressed through body language, with the eyes serving as a significant indicator of affection. When verbal cues can't be relied upon, it's helpful to return to nonverbal signals. Here are a few key nonverbal clues to consider:

• Mutual Gaze -This occurs when two people make eye contact or look into each other's eyes, indicating a shared connection.
• Eyes and Smiling - A sincere smile combined with prolonged eye contact often signifies a deep connection and attraction. These are strong indicators of romantic interest.
• Pupil Dilation - The pupils, located at the center of the irises, control their own contraction and dilation. This process is managed by the iris muscles and controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Hormones like oxytocin and dopamine—commonly referred to as "love hormones"—can affect pupil size, making them larger when we feel attraction.
• Eye Flirting - This refers to flirting through eye contact. Making eye contact can be a powerful way to express interest and establish a connection.
• Shining Eyes When in Love -This visual expression of strong positive emotions often shows attraction, excitement, or deep affection. It can manifest as a sparkle or gleam in the eyes, which occurs due to increased blood flow and dilated pupils when looking at someone we love.

Of course these are not the only considerations when you think you may be in love, but they are common outward physical signs that have been observed by others.

Sources:

www.kindsight.com

www.psychologytoday.com

www.focusclinics.com

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Down Syndrome and Vision Problems

In the late nineteenth century John Langdon Down, an English physician, was the first to classify (1862) and publish (1866) an accurate description of a person with Down syndrome was also known as "Mongolism”.  

Down syndrome is when a person has an extra copy of chromosome 21. Chromosomes are packages of DNA that contain the genetic material essential for the growth and functioning of an organism. Down syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities in children, occurring in approximately one in every 800 births. More than 60% of individuals with Down syndrome experience vision problems.

Down syndrome, manifests, with a wide range of ophthalmology findings. These include:

• Strabismus
• Amblyopia
• Refractive errors
• Eyelid abnormalities
• Nasolacrimal duct obstruction
• Nystagmus excessive tearing
• Keratoconus
• Cataracts
• Retinal abnormalities
• Optic nerve abnormalities
• Glaucoma
• Esotropia
• Blepharitis

Individuals with Down syndrome have an increased risk of various eye disorders. Fortunately, many of these eye problems can be effectively treated. Due to physical characteristics—such as small noses, shortened depth from the eye socket to the ear, and close-set eyes with wider faces—finding suitably fitting glasses can be challenging. Typical glasses tend to slide down the nose, fall forward, or bow out at the temples, making them difficult to wear.

To address these challenges, there are now a variety of optical frames specifically designed for individuals with Down syndrome. These frames feature adjustable bridges and modified temples to prevent the glasses from slipping.

Common optical lenses used for patients with Down syndrome include transition lenses, high-index lenses, and bifocal designs. Approximately 75% of people with Down syndrome experience reduced accommodation (focusing ability), making bifocals particularly beneficial for many of these people. As a result, regular eye exams are essential for individuals with Down syndrome to monitor their eye health and ensure proper vision care.

Sources:

www.cdc.gov

www.pmc.ncbi.nih.gov

www.optometrists.org

Photos:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/World_Down_Syndrome_Day_%2833559650428%29.jpg

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5130304/figure/g004a/ Fig. 4a

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5130304/figure/g004a/ Fig. 4b

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5130304/figure/g004a/ Fig. 6

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