Heavy computer use tied to glaucoma in men
Those who sat in front of a computer for more than eight hours a day were
twice as likely to have glaucoma as those who were light or medium users, the
researchers found.
Also linked: short sighted or myopic workers that are
heavy users of computers.
by: CBC Science News
Source: CBC Science News at
http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2004/11/15/glaucoma-screen041115.html
Heavy computer use tied to glaucoma
Last Updated Tue, 16 Nov 2004 09:28:00
EST
LONDON - Men who spend hours staring at a computer screen may be at increased
risk for glaucoma, a disease that can cause blindness, Japanese doctors say.
Researchers studied more than 10,200 workers with an average age of 43 for
signs of glaucoma, a gradual disease of the optic nerve leading to loss of
peripheral vision.
The workers were randomly selected for testing at their medical check-up.
Participants filled out questionnaires about their eye health and use of
computers at home and in the office.
Dr. Masayuki Tatemichi of Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo and his
colleagues found 165 subjects had suspected glaucoma, according to tests.
Those who sat in front of a computer for more than eight hours a day were
twice as likely to have glaucoma as those who were light or medium users, the
researchers found.
There appeared to be a significant link between workers who were short
sighted or myopic and were heavy users of computers.
The optic nerve may be more vulnerable to computer stress in those who are
short sighted compared to those with normal eyes, the team speculated.
Since more workers are now using computers, doctors may need to monitor the
prevalence of myopia and signs of glaucoma in workers, the researchers said
in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, published by the British
Medical Association.
The researchers acknowledge the study is limited by its cross-sectional
design, adding the results may be skewed since most of the volunteers were
male.
They note more research is needed to investigate the suspected link.
Glaucoma may be caused by high pressure inside the eye. It affects one in 100
Canadians over age 40, according to the Canadian Opthamalmological Society.
Written by CBC News Online staff
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