WHY IS MYOPIA INCREASING?
Distance vision is all a blur to more of us.
A study finds that 17% more Americans have myopia than 30 years ago. Close-up computer/screen work could be a reason.
For an increasing number of Americans, life's a blur.
That's according to a population-based study published Dec. 2011 showing that rates of myopia -- difficulty seeing distant objects -- are soaring. The trend is matched in many other countries, causing eye doctors to wonder what could be causing the decline in human vision.
Reported cases of Myopia on the rise
The National Eye Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, published research showing a sizable increase in rates of myopia (nearsightedness). The study looked at adults in the U.S., comparing the numbers of nearsighted adults over the last thirty years. Myopia rates in people ages 12 to 54 increased from 25 percent in the early 1970's to 41.6 percent in the five-year period ending in 2004. Scientists are unsure what has caused the increase, although some suspect that computer use or changes in recreational activities may be factors.
Dr. Kadet comments: "We notice repetitive near-point work, such as reading or using a computer, puts excessive strain on the eye focusing and eye alignment systems. This continued eyestrain encourages the development of, and increase, in myopia.
Early Vision Evaluations are important!
Myopia is most successfully reversed, or maintained at present levels, the earlier it is diagnosed. Dr. Kadet stresses the importance of early vision evaluations, which Hope Clinic conducts on children as young as infants. "The best treatment for myopia is to discover it early. We can prescribe appropriate preventative lenses, corrective lenses, and vision therapy; as well as refer for contact lens and orthokeratology consultations."
Is Computer Use Straining Your Eyes?
Computer use is a fact of modern life, but your eyes may be feeling the burn.
If you wear glasses, they were probably designed to correct near vision and help your eyes retain focus on a printed page - but characters on a computer screen present other challenges to our eyes. Characters on a computer screen don't have the same contrast and clarity found in most printed materials. While print characters are well-defined, dense and black, and contrast with their light background, those on a computer screen are brightest at their centers and diminish in intensity toward their edges. It is difficult for our eyes to maintain focus on such characters, and the effort of constant focus shift produces symptoms including fatigue, headaches, dry eyes, and irritability.
How to reduce eyestrain related to computer use? Here are some tips:
Modify your workstation. Ambient lighting should not be too bright, and glare on the screen should be avoided. If you wear glasses, they should have an anti-reflective coating. Blink more often, take frequent breaks and refocus your eyes. We like the 20-20-20 rule: Look away from your screen every 20 minutes and focus for 20 seconds on an object at least 20 feet away. Discuss your computer use during your vision evaluation.
The doctor will certainly want to consider it when prescribing computer lenses. New technology in computer-specific glasses may be a solution for you, and prescription eye drops can alleviate dry eyes.
Frames Per Second (fps)
Imagine yourself watching movie of an unbelievably slow fog. You don't see edges and sharp borders. Now play the movie with 10fps. It will look fluid. Why? Because the difference from one frame to the other is very low. The extreme would be a totally unmoving wall: Then 1 fps would equal 1000 fps.
Now take your hand and move it slowly in front of your face. Then move it faster until it's blurry. How many frames per second do you see? It must be little, because you see only a blurred hand without being able to distinguish every change per millisecond, but it must be many, because you see a fluid motion without any interruption or jump. So this is the eye's trick in both examples: Blurring simulates fluidity, sharpness simulates stuttering. (It's similar to "rotation simulates gravity".)
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United Way King County helps Grannies Raising Grandkids
An increasing number of grandmothers are raising their grandchildren. This is a brave and courageous challenge, especially for those with low income. Hope Clinic adopted two such families during the 2011 Christmas season through United Way, which began G.a.P (Grandparents as Parents) program to help Grannies and Grandkids. A special event helped celebrate these individuals who would not have the means to do anything special for themselves. If you would like to make a difference throughout the year, visit volunteers@uwkc.org
Fun Facts
How close are you sitting to the TV when you watch?
For proper ‘television ergonomics’, the distance should equal 7 times the width of the screen (average of 8 to 10 feet). You also should watch with good lighting around you; the more the light from the screen is in contrast with peripheral light, the harder this is on your eyes.
