November 17, 2004

• Heavy computer use linked to glaucoma: study

  
  

  

  
  

  Mon Nov 15, 6:11 PM ET   U.S. National - AFP 

  
  

  PARIS (AFP) - Heavy users of computers, especially those who are short-sighted, may be at risk from glaucoma, a disease that can cause blindness, a study published in a specialist journal on Tuesday says.  Japanese doctors assessed the sight of more than 10,200 Japanese workers, measuring them for visual acuity and signs of glaucoma. The volunteers were also asked to fill in questionnaires about their computer use, at home or in the office, and any history of eye disease.

  
  

  A total of 165 workers, or 1.6 percent, turned out to have suspected glaucoma, characterised by tunnel vision or blind spots.

  
  

  Those who were heavy computer users -- defined as working onscreen more than eight hours a day -- were twice as likely to have glaucoma than light or medium users.

  
  

  In addition, of the 165 with glaucoma, 136 had myopia.
  

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  When I last went to the optometrist to get my latest prescription progressive lenses, I had glaucoma and cataract tests, and was told I didn't have any instances of glaucoma, but did have the beginnings of cataracts, which will have to be operated to remove at some point in my life. The doctor told me "not to worry" (which translates as "I'm going to worry") for 10 years. Just about the time I'll probably have to have my hip replacement replaced, since it will be over 20 years old. I'm always hearing that succeeding generations are living longer. Does this mean we're falling apart faster as well? Opening my computer and reading the above article didn't "scare" me, but it certainly does make one think. Of course the computer makers will insure that there are plenty of braille machines on the market as their users go blind. I am reminded of the John Wyndham book "The Day of the Triffids" where the world wakes up blind after witnessing a comet storm, or of the sad plight of  former L.A. Times film critic Charles Champlain, whose advancing tunnel vision of course prohibits him from enjoying the watching of films, which was his passion throughout most of his life.

  
  

  My thoughts also turn to one of my old correspondents, whom I met on a Poetry Group on Yahoo, who was legally blind, although I would have never known without finding out from the responses she gave to the poems posted on the group and the letters she wrote me. I still want to see the motion picture "Ray" directed by Taylor Hackford, about the life story of Ray Charles, who lost his eyesight at age 6, and who didn't "act like he was blind" to the people around him.

  
  

  Going blind has been one of my greatest fears since I was a child. For a person who has sometimes dabbled in the visual arts, being able to see is not only a want, but a need. I don't know what would happen if I ever went blind, and I have always been in awe of those who are without sight. I could still write poetry, as I compose on a keyboard, but I do make mistakes since I don't look at the keyboard, and I type rather fast.

  
  

  Heavy computer users are "onscreen" at least eight hours a day. I work ten hours a day, and I use a computer for at least eight of those. This has been going on since 1996, and as the years go by, more tasks are accomplished by computer. My main job is designing control systems, and this was done "pre-computer" as "drafting" with mechanical pencils on vellum. I'm the one who championed getting a CAD system at work back in the early 90s, so have I served to sow the seeds of my own potential blindness?

  
  

  What about those who are housebound because of disease who have begun to use the computer to find friends and enlarge their universe by going online. They might use the computer for more than eight hours a day just corresponding and surfing for all I know. Just one more thing in this strange world we have to worry about.

  
  

  Or do we? It's just a "study" after all. They used a "test group" which reminds me of that sociological test I took in college. The idea (like the Kobiyashi Maru Scenario in the 2nd "Star Trek" movie) was that the "test" couldn't be finished, and the "study" was one in which a subject's stamina and unflappabiltiy was being studied. No subject finsihed. Except me. When I finished, I looked all around the building for the test giver, who had gone out to dinner, knowing that I would still be there "trying" when he got back. He was aghast when he finally did get back to find I was waiting for what he needed next. I didn't have time to be discouraged because I did the impossible. So perhaps I will be one of the few who won't go blind.

  
  

  That is of course if the cataracts are removed in time.

  
  

  
  

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  Image taken from Seamus McKinlay's website: http://www.users.dialstart.net/~seamusmc/index.htm

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