Glaucoma Is Second Leading Cause Of Blindness
If taking a break from your computer during the day could mean saving your eyesight, would you do it?
A new study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology says too many hours in front of the computer is putting us at increased risk for glaucoma. Glaucoma is currently the second leading cause of blindness in the world. But with an aging population, glaucoma is quickly becoming a top public health challenge, Madison television statioon WISC reported.
“It's a very silent disease, and that's why it is often referred to as the sneaky thief of sight. More than half of all people who have the disease don't know it. There's no pain and vision loss is very patchy,” said Dr. John Geanon, an ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist.
Over the next 10 years, the number of people diagnosed with glaucoma is expected to double. The study shows one big risk factor is too much time in front of a computer, specifically for people who are myopic or near-sighted.
“We've long suspected being near-sighted is a risk factor for glaucoma. We think something is structurally different with a near-sighted eye that makes that optic nerve more susceptible to damage from glaucoma,” Geanon said. The study shows those most at risk have used the computer for at least 10 years, and for four or more hours a day.
The doctor's order is to know your risk and get routine comprehensive eye exams. That's because once your vision is gone, it's too late. “There simply is no cure for most common forms of glaucoma. But, with identification and treatment it can slow down the process, so vision loss is minimal over a person's lifetime.
If you have to spend a lot of time on the computer, give your eyes a break at least every two hours. Do whatever you can to make the screen easiest to read by fixing the contrast, brightness or tilt, the station said.