March is Save Your Vision Week/Month – 2013 Update

By Terry Orr

Now that I use desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone throughout the day, every day – headaches are more frequent and severe.  It took me a little while to connect all those dots to understand what was causing my headaches.  Doing my research for this article – I found the name associated with this problem: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). 

Staring at a computer monitor for hours on end has become a part of the modern workday. And inevitably, all of that staring can put a real strain on your eyes.

The name for eye problems caused by computer use is computer vision syndrome (CVS). CVS is not one specific eye problem. Instead, the term encompasses a whole range of eyestrain and pain experienced by computer users.

Research shows computer eye problems are common. Somewhere between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen have at least some symptoms of eye trouble.

There's no evidence that computer vision syndrome causes any long-term damage to the eyes -- for example, cataracts. However, regular computer use can be the source of significant eyestrain and discomfort.

If you have computer vision syndrome, you may experience some or all of these symptoms:

·      Blurred vision

·      Double vision

·      Dry, red eyes

·      Eye irritation

·      Headaches

·      Neck or back pain

How many of these do you experience?

Making a few simple changes in your work environment can help prevent and improve computer vision symptoms:

·      Cut the glare. Change the lighting around you to reduce glare on the computer screen. If a nearby window is casting glare on your screen, move the monitor and close the shades until the glare disappears. Ask your employer to install a dimmer switch for the overhead lights if they're too bright, or buy a desk lamp with a moveable shade that distributes light evenly over your desk. Putting a glare filter over the screen monitor also can help protect your eyes.

·      Rearrange your desk. Researchers find that the optimal position for your computer monitor is slightly below eye level, about 20 to 28 inches away from the face. At that position, you shouldn't have to stretch your neck or strain your eyes to see what's on the screen. Put a stand next to your computer monitor and place any printed materials you're working from on it. Then, you won't have to look up at the screen and back down at the desk while you type.

·      Give your eyes a break. Look away from the screen every 20 minutes or so and either gaze out the window or scan the room for about 20 seconds to rest your eyes. Blink often to keep the eyes moist. If eyes are getting overly dry, try using lubricating eye drops.

·      Tweak your computer settings. You don't have to live with the factory-installed settings on your computer if you're uncomfortable. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and font size until you find the best settings for your vision.

[Source: WebMD]

Now that we know the source of our problem is and helpful hints to reduce the issue, we have one more thing to do.  Tell our eye and primary care doctors!

References and Links:

http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/computer-vision-syndrome

http://www.aoa.org/x5072.xml

http://www.aoa.org/documents/Vision-Lifestyle-Fact-Sheet.pdf

[All images from  Google]

Happy Birthday Macintosh Computer

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By Terry Orr

It is a little hard to believe that 29 years ago, during Super Bowl XVIII that strange commercial ushered in this amazing new computer - a computer company with unique insight and a dream that one does not need computer programmer to operate it!

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Innovative thinking - truly out of the box approach - graphical interfaces and capabilities that allowed anyone to create quality graphics, incorporated into document seamlessly.

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Today the Apple Macintosh Computer line up is still leading the way for other computer manufactures.  With new Flash Drive technology, Retina Display's, and sufficient memory to really to do multiple tasking at lightning speed. (Just what my doctor ordered.)

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Let us not forget the iPod, iPhone or iPad technology tools that make life fun once again!  Apple Macintosh continues to set the bar for others to follow and all the while ensuring the user interface remains a top priority.

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Yes, I am aware that the Mac’s cost more – like many things in life – a few extra dollars for a much better product.

Texas Perspective

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(Sharing an email)

 

You folks might want to visit your friends and family living in TEXAS if the election turns out badly.

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Here's what can happen:

1: Barack Hussein Obama is President of the United States, and Texas secedes from the Union in summer of 2013.

2: George W. Bush becomes President of the Republic of Texas.

What does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic?

1. NASA is just south of Houston, Texas. We will control the space industry.

2. We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States.

3. Defense Industry--we have over 65% of it. The term "Don't mess with Texas" will take on a whole new meaning.

4. Oil - we can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. What will the other states do? Gee, we don't know. Why not ask Obama?

5. Natural Gas - again we have all we need, and it's too bad about those Northern States.  John Kerry and Al Gore will have to figure out a way to keep them warm.

6. Computer Industry - we lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications equipment -small companies like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Micro-conductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Nortel, Alcatel, etc, etc. The list goes on and on.

7. Medical Care - We have the research centers for cancer research, the best burn centers and the top trauma units in the world, as well as other large health centers. The Houston Medical Center alone employees over 65,000 people.

8. We have enough colleges to keep us getting smarter: University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Texas Christian, Rice, SMU, University of Dallas, University of Houston, Baylor, UNT (University of North Texas), Texas Women's University, etc.  Ivy grows better in the South anyway.

9. We have an intelligent energetic work force, and it isn't restricted by a bunch of unions here in Texas.  It's a Right to Work State and, therefore, it's every man and women for themselves. We just go out and get the job done. And if we don't like the way one company operates, we get a job somewhere else.

10. We have essential control of the paper, plastics and insurance industries, etc.

11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, and several military bases. We don't have an Army, but since everybody down here has at least six rifles and a pile of ammo, we can raise an Army in 24 hours if we need one. If the situation really gets bad, we can always call the Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over the Texas Rangers.

12. We are totally self-sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs and several types of grain, fruit and vegetables, and let's not forget seafood from the Gulf. Also, everybody down here knows how to cook them so that they taste good. Don't need any food.

13. Three of the ten largest cities in the United States, and twenty- three of the 100 largest cities in the United States, are located in Texas. And Texas also has more land than California , New York , New Jersey , Connecticut , Delaware , Hawaii ,  Vermont Massachusetts,  Maryland  and  Rhode Island combined.

14. Trade: Three of the ten largest ports in the United States are located in Texas.

15. More miles of railroad track that any other state in the Union.

16. We also manufacture cars down here, but we don't need to. You see, nothing rusts in Texas, so our vehicles stay beautiful and run well for decades.

17. Year-round golf.

This names just a few of the items that will keep the Republic of Texas in good shape.  There isn't a thing out there that we need and don't have.

Now to the rest of the United States under President Obama: Since you won't have the refineries to get gas for your cars, only President Obama will be able to drive around in his big 5 mpg SUV. The rest of the United States will have to walk or ride bikes.

You won't have any TV as the Space Center in Houston will cut off satellite communications.  You won't have any natural gas to heat your homes but, since Mr. Obama has predicted global warming, you will not need the gas as long as you survive the 2000 years it will take to get enough heat from Global Warming.

Signed,

The People of Texas

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P.S. This is not a threatening letter - just a note to give you something to think about!

SLEEP WELL TONIGHT - THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU!