Eye strain/fatigue
 

I was wondering if I could've caused permanent irreversible damage to my eyes by using them too much at once? I tried focusing on reading blurry text(it was moving fast on the screen) and during so my eyes have gotten blurry and tired. It goes away, but as soon as I use a monitor they get much more easily fatigued than they got before. I wonder if this reading of fast moving text (which got blurred out because of the speed it was moving in) could've caused permanent damage of some sort? I'm experiencing and inability to focus properly without some sort of blur for my eyes now, is this just the muscles that need to relax completely for a couple of days or?

To put things into perspective; it's like trying to read what a sign is saying through the window of a moving train up close by forcing your eyes to focus on the one spot with the text through the blur (basically ignoring it).

Hi, I use Similasan Dry Eye Homeopathic drops...love them. This company also makes a Computer Eye Formula. You can find them online or even in drug stores.

I would not be without them. Blink a Lot too. Get fluid moving in the eyes.

Eye strain is exceptionally common problem caused by overuse of a computer screen. It causes a reduced blink rate.

There are even studies in PubMed that relate to this issue - Computer Vision Syndrome. It is temporary. It does not cause permanent damage.

Because you already have PCS then you perhaps need to cut down your use of the computer so that your eyes are less strained.

As Caroline has mentioned, your eyes get dry when you don't blink at a certain rate. Try to keep them moist.

As you've got PCS, have you been examined by a neuro-optomologist? Vision issues (like convergence insufficiency, inattention to areas of visual field, etc...,) are pretty common with TBI.

I wear prisms to help me focus.

Another thing I thought of is a programme called f.lux. If you search flux in the TBI/PCS forum you'll find heaps of past posts from other members who have problems with the computer screen. You can also go into your settings and adjust your contrast and colour especially. Get rid of as much blue light as you can. Make the text larger etc.

I spend a LOT of time of the computer and I have to be careful too. Take breaks.

Breaks are important. Even taking your eyes off the computer screen, and looking into the distance, for a few moments, can make a big difference.

There's something called a 20 20 20 rule for computer use.

It's not metric as I would use but it is easier to remember than the 20 6.096 20 rule. ;)

If you look at the screen for 20 minutes you then need to look away into the distance as far as 20 feet and do that for 20 seconds.

Hi Minimac

As somebody who spends a fair bit of time staring at a computer screen, I endorse Lara's "20 20 20 rule".

It works for me.