Staring at computer screens affecting eyesight?

Question

If you use a PC a lot,will it eventually affect your eyesight?

I have a slight deficiency in my right eye,and recently it's started to go watery.What is most likely to be causing this?

Also,are the newer screens any better as regards this matter?(I use a laptop)

Cheers for the feedback so far...I wish could award more than one best answer!

Answer 1

I have the same problem, I just found out I need glasses for it, but also for distance and stigmatism. Nice combo, basically I need bifocals at the age of 25. :( But the doc did say the computer is bad for the eyes, so every 20 minutes, you should look 20 feet away and look at that place for 20 seconds. 20/20/20. It is supposed to help your eyes refresh. Sleeping a full night helps too, don't forget to blink, use drops if needed. The problem with computer screens is that each tiny pixel in the screen is moving on its own, almost flickering. We can't see it because the flicker and pixels are so so small, but the eye needs to use more energy to focus on that screen, thus damaging your eye sight. Get glasses, computer glasses, they are supposed to help, I am waiting to buy mine because I don't have eye insurance in 2006, but will sign up for it in 2007.

Answer 2

Extended use of a computer screen is unlikely to damage your eyesight but it will make your eyes tired. Also office environments around computers tend to be quite dry, not humid, and so your eyes can get dry (hence they water to reset the balance).

You should ensure you get regular breaks from the screen; that your workstation is well-lit but free from glare; and that you have an eye checkup every 6-12 months. If your optician decides you need glasses and you can attribute this to your work with a PC, then your employer should contribute towards the cost of the glasses.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes I believe it does, I used to have blurred vision after a while and carpal tunnel syndrome from working at an office as a secretary. As a matter of fact I needed glasses to look at the computer because it affected my eyes so much. And that was after working in an office on the computer for 5-7 hours a day.

Answer 4

I don't know the technical terms or medical reasons, but it could be the light and radiation from the screen and the flicker. However, when i was at uni studying loads with other post grads we laughed as we would look at each other and we all had blood shot eyes and sometimes watery too. This only occured after ages at the computer. We did not have it when we were away from the pc's.

Answer 5

Yes, it does, I wear some really thick glasses and I'm only 19...I been starring at a computer screen since I was like 7. So yes it will affect your eyesight if you use a pc a lot.

Answer 6

The reason your eyes go watery is because you aren't blinking as often as you normally would. You need to deliberately blink or every few minutes turn your focus to something in the room for a second, this will make you blink and should avoid watery eye syndrome.

Answer 7

hm...studies have shown that your eyes are watery most likely because when you stare at a screen, your eyes don't blink, so that your eyes have to use water to wash out your eyes. Also, useing the computer for to long will cause temporary problems because your eyes will have a little trouble adjusting. (Now as for a TV, you can watch it all you want)

Answer 8

Ive just found this link on the bbc website about the link between bad eyesight and frequent use of computers.

Answer 9

No it wont, i've been using computers for 30 years now and i still have 20/20 vision. Most peoples eyes change over time anyway, using computers wont make any difference.

Answer 10

I would say yes. Prolly why i turn my pc on just before i go to bed to play a couple of games of something, after that my eyes feel tired and i go to bed and sleep.