Eye Health Care and Computer Use - Parte Dos
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16 February 2009
Posted in
Health
Some time ago I was talking about the problems related to overuse of computers and your eyes (click here for Part One). Now, this continuation post is written specially to show you what I have done in order to either alleviate or get rid of some common problems. Keep in mind that these are things I did, yet I'm not recommending anybody to do anything unless they contact their doctor, and blah, blah, blah... you know how these things roll.
Ok, so let's cut the schnitz out...
Online Research: Your best tool
Unless you are pursuing an acupuncture degree online, the Internet could serve you as the best tool to find the information you need. I don't recommend to make conclusions based on one site that one liked, but instead look for other sources of information and glue all that together to get a solid conclusion. Also, you could visit your MD, or better, your traditional Chinese medicine doctor (Dr.TCM) and let them diagnose the best treatment for you.
A great site I found reliable and worthy of my time (considering that my eyes were bugging me) was All About Vision. They have a comprehensive database of information about almost anything related to the eyes--including computer eye problems. Search for "computer vision syndrome" (or CVS) to learn more. Basically, reading so much about my problem made me an "expert" on this problem and so I could begin to think what would be best for me on my own.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and "Alternative" Medicine
Even though "traditional" medicine is still widely use in the United States, the percentage of "alternative" medicine users and practitioners are increasing year after year. Why? It simply works. While regular doctors focused mainly on telling me what the problem was (i.e. eye pain is always eye related, yet I knew it could happen from multiple reasons), alternative medicine helped me to, not only with my problem, but also to understand what was really going on.
Basically, the liver is the organ that takes care of some or all of the nutrients for normal eye function. When you are siting in front of your computer or TV, many things tend happen:
1. Our body is not meant to be siting all day long. This position could affect the liver.
2. When we work in our computers, or play video games, or watch movies, we tend to eat stuff that does not benefit our liver. Beer, chips, and all sort of delightful stuff that little by little could start affecting the liver (Important note: NOT all computer user or video game players do this. However, we don't need to be rocket scientists to know it is a common practice).Then, exercise is the best way to get these toxins out of the body and keep the liver happy = healthier eyes.
3. Coffee could also affect your body by purging necessary--eye--vitamins, minerals, and that sort of thing. I love coffee, and little I knew I was just getting rid of these important elements to keep my eyes healthy. Solution for coffee drinkers and most people in general? Get the best eye dietary supplement: they will change your vision for good! I have tried a few excellent brands, yet the one I recommend is called "Eye Factors" from Natural Factors.
It Isn't All Bad
Despite that traditional medicine isn't perfect, I did find 2 excellent eye doctors that put the time to analyze my problem, help me with whatever questions I had, and also gave me a prescription with what I really needed: glare resistant glasses. Combining what I had learned from online research, what my acupuncturist/Dr. TCM diagnosed, the glare resistant glasses, and my "eye factor" dietary supplement, I can happily say that my eye sight got really better!
Suggestions
Despite all I have said so far to help you for eye health and computer use, there are a few extra things I recommend you do to that have worked for me:
1. Stop using your computer AT ALL every 2 hours. Stand up, and take a walk while you try to focus on distant objects. There's a "20 minute rule" that can hardly be done if you are playing your favorite game, or just Twitter-ing all day long. Use the "2 hour rule" I use, you will see results, and it can be done.
2.Wash your eyes with normal-cold water (eyes closed). This will help your eyes relax a lot. I recommend 3 times a day.
3. Use eye drops: a common problem associated with CVS is dryness of the eyes. Get a preservative-free eye lubricant to keep your eyes "greased up" at all times. Do this preferably every time you wash your eyes (3 times a day). I have used GenTeal for many years and they are simply the best.
4. Believe it or not, a lot of light could affect your eyes as well. The best thing to do is to avoid any reflection on your monitor by getting some (preferably) natural light. The use of artificial light will affect your vision, yet using the right amount will benefit you as well.
5. I got a light sensitivity problem. To make my computer time more enjoyable, I tend to use darker shades of color for my wallpapers, etc.
Finally, I repeat that this is something that worked (and still does) for me. It's my personal opinion, and it would be up to you to find the best for your eyes. However, after being frustrated for not finding what really was affecting my eyes, I decided to write these posts to help others with the same problem.
Take care!
k.
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