Health by dratiffarid

Do you work at a place which requires you to use a computer on a daily basis? Or do you spend more than 4 hours using your computer?

Do you suffer from periodic headaches, blurred vision, fatigue, dry, burning eyes or eye strain? Well, you might be suffering from Computer Vision Syndrome.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) occurs due to focusing your eyes on a computer screen for a long period of time. It occurs due to decreased blink rate leading to dry eyes. Normally, you blink 16-20 times/minute. But as you keep staring at your computer screen, blink rate can decrease to as low as 6-8 times/minute.

Tips:

1. 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. If this is not possible, close your eyes for 20 seconds every 30 minutes.

2. Use proper lighting. Make sure the lights are on at your workplace.

3. Minimize glare and bright backgrounds on your screen.

4. Adjust the brightness and contrast of your computer screen. This is a trial and error method and use the one that suits you the best.

5. Do not sit too close to the monitor. A distance of 20-24 inches is sufficient. The screen’s center should be below the level of your eyes. If you can’t change the position of your screen, another alternative is to decrease the text size.

6. Clean your screen. Accumulation of dust may make it difficult to read text. Always wipe off your screen frequently.

7. Use computer eyeglasses. More information can be attained from your Human Resources Department. Remember that even though you might have spectacles or contact lenses, you may still need these special computer eyeglasses.

8. If you have to type a document from a printed copy, keep the printed copy as close to your monitor as you can or even better is to use a copy stand.

9. Take frequent breaks from your work.

10. Always keep yourself hydrated. Drink a lot of fluids.

December 1 was World AIDS Day. I had a Surgery exam on that day but I still managed to participate in the World AIDS Day campaign.

Here’s what all I did (it’s everything I had asked you all to do in my previous post).

1) I posted an article about HIV and AIDS. Actually I’ve been posting since a week now.

2) I wrote a letter to the editor of my local newspaper. I wrote about how we needed more awareness in our city.

3) I  gathered more information on the disease. I also found out about events in various cities. Unfortunately, there was none in mine.

4)  I spoke about World AIDS Day with my friends.

Here are some more articles from my Today.com network friends which are informative.

Remembering Ray on World Aids Day - A poet’s view - Joanne Olivieri

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation - In San Francisco - Joanne Olivieri

Get involved in AIDS awareness and prevention -Celebriosity - Catherine

Spreading the word about AIDS is music to your ears - Celebriosity - Catherine

Celebs say “Protect Yourself” from AIDS - Celebriosity - Catherine

World AIDS Day: Australia - Australia News - Lis Sowerbutts

God’s Child - World AIDS Day - Cathy Couey

Staying Clean and Sober in the Everyday World - World AIDS Day - Cathy Couey

It would be great if you can share what you did on World AIDS Day in the comments section. I would also like to hear about events that were held in your area. Even links to any articles that you posted on your blog are welcome.