BLOG NAVIGATION
August 4, 2010
Is the All-Encompassing Screen Really the Best Option
In the age of the iPad, Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook and countless e-book reader knock-offs, one can’t help but wonder what the consequences of the transition from reading the printed page to reading solely on electronic screens will be. Already, Americans spend countless hours gazing into computer screens at work, watching larger screen TVs at home and reading the tiny screens of phones and iPods throughout the day and night. Now, with the introduction of multiple new electronic readers and thousands of titles available in e-Book form, we can spend those precious few spare moments we used to use for delving into a good book staring at yet another electronic screen.
For years the reading community has argued that reading online is an altogether different experience from reading printed text. In print, there is a visible and tangible beginning, middle and end whereas on the Internet, a reader decides where the story starts, stops and changes course completely. In this way, readers are either more distracted consumers of information or extraordinarily adept navigators through a world of increasingly opinionated and individualized content. Some argue that e-Books offer a way to jump directly into a writer’s content because there is no sense of how much material is left before a climax while others argue that a tangible relationship with a hardcover book puts the reader in a more relaxed place where he is free to truly focus on the material and task at hand. Regardless of the effects on reading however, e-Books are beginning to outsell hard covers on sites like Amazon.com leading some to believe the demise of books and potentially meaningful reading is on the horizon.
Another concern about all this screen reading is possible degradation of one’s eyesight. Frequent computer users often complain of dry eyes, eye strain and blurry vision as well as headaches and neck and shoulder pain. It remains to be seen whether long term vision impairment will result from heavy electronic consumption as the proliferation of screens in everyday life is a relatively new phenomenon. However, there are steps that computer users can take to help deal with the symptoms of eye strain:
- Take breaks from the screen every 30-60 minutes. Looking at objects off in the distance every so often restores the eye’s ability to focus.
- Place the computer monitor or other screen 24”-30” away.
- Keep your screen below eye level to avoid “bright eyes” which cause the eyes to dry out faster.
- If you have to look between hard copy and the screen often (as with data entry), place the hard copy on a stand at equal height and distance as the computer monitor.
Usually the symtoms of eye discomfort are born from intently looking at a computer screen for extended periods of time, which generally reduces the speed of blinking. The above steps can greatly reduce eye fatigue and stress and should be considered not only in working environments, but also when entertainment is generated from the fluorescent light of any type of electronic screen.
January 19, 2010
Protecting Your Eyes from UV Rays
There has been multiple reports about the effects of the sun’s UV rays on the skin, from skin cancer, risks of sunburn and more. What we don’t hear about too often are the effects of UV rays and the eyes.
Constant UV exposure can cause the following damage to the eyes: macular degenerations, pinguecula, cataracts and pterygia.
HEV – high – energy visible radiation (aka blue light) can also contribute to macular degeneration.
Since you cannot see UV rays, it is a misconception to assume that your eyes are not at risk, just because of a cloudy day or lack of direct sunlight.
There are three types of UV Rays:
UVC Rays: Considered the most harmful because it is the highest – energy ray. Our ozone layer protects us from this particular ray, but with the depletion of the ozone layer, we are at risk of being affected by UVC Rays. It has a wavelength of 100-280nm.
UVB Rays: Longer wavelengths mean lower energy. Like UVC Rays, we are semi protected by the ozone layer to these rays, but some of the rays still reach the earth’s surface. UVB rays can cause a darkening of the skin (melanin production) and prolonged exposure can cause skin to age, wrinkle and discolor.
UVA Rays: Lower than UVC and UVB rays, these rays are the closest to being visible. These rays can penetrate and reach the lens/retina of the eye. This particular ray is what contributes to eye damage after prolonged exposure.
To protect your eyes, if you think you will be outside for an extended period of time, it’s suggested to wear sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection. UV rays are still present even on cloudy days.
October 20, 2009
HOW TO REDUCE STRESS THROUGH VISUAL HYGIENE TO BETTER READING
Because there is an intimate relationship between posture, working distance, desk surface the pioneering experiments by Dr. Darrel Boyd Harmon and subsequent research by Drs. John Pierce and Steven Greenspan clearly prove a reduction of stress and improved performance when conditions are arranged properly for near-point visual activities such as reading and writing. The following changes were observed: reduced heart rate, more regular and deeper breathing, and reduced neck muscle and overall body tension.
TO ACHIEVE THESE BENEFITS THE FOLLOWING MUST BE ARRANGED
Working Surface: A sloping working surface must be used that is tilted between 20 and 23 degrees from the horizontal. The Visual Edge Slant Board is at 22 degrees, which has been found to be the optimum angle.
Posture: Seated comfortably, relatively erect, feet flat on floor or box.
Working Distance: The “Harmon Distance” is the optimal distance from the eyes to the working surface. It is the distance from the elbow to the first knuckle. This can only be assured with a proper chair height to desk relationship.
Near point Lenses: ONLY IF PRESCRIBED BY A DEVEOPMENTAL OPTEMOGIST. A specific, low power prescription not used to correct a defect in the eyes but to put the eyes into better balance for near tasks. This enhances and integrates the posture, working distance, and surface relationship.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR VISUAL HYGIENE
1. Ensure your reading material is at an angle of between 20 and 23 degrees. The Visual Edge Slant Board is at an angle of 22 degree which research has shown to be the optimum angle at which to read.
2. Do all near point activity at HARMON distance or slightly further. This is the distance from the center of the middle knuckle to the center of the elbow measured on the outside of the arm. Working at the Harmon distance reduces near point visual stress.
3. Be AWARE of space between self and the page when reading. Also, be aware of things around and beyond the book.
4. When reading, occasionally look off at a specific distant object and LET its details come into focus. Maintain awareness of other objects and details surrounding it. Do this at least at the end of each page.
5. When studying, place a bookmark 3 or 4 pages ahead. Get up and move around for at least one minute each time you reach the bookmark.
6. Sit UPRIGHT. Practice holding your back arched while you read and write. Avoid reading while lying on your stomach on the floor. Avoid reading in bed while lying on your stomach on the floor. Avoid reading in bed, unless sitting reasonably upright.
7. Provide for adequate general illumination, as well as good central illumination, at the near task. The illumination on the task should be about three times that of the surrounding background. Avoid the use of florescent lighting.
8. Do not sit any closer to TV than 6 to 8 feet, and be sure to sit upright. Maintain good posture.
9. When riding in a vehicle, avoid reading and other near activity. Encourage looking at sights in the distance for interest and identification.
10. Encourage outdoor play or sports activities that require seeing beyond arm’s length.
11. When outdoors, sight a distant object at about eye level. At the same time, be aware of where things are on all sides.
12. Walk with head up, eyes wide open and look TOWARD, not at, objects.
13. Become very conscious of the background of the objects you look TOWARD, be it a person, print on a page, an electric sign, the TV, or any other object.
TELL A FRIEND TODAY!
July 27, 2009
COVD FEATURES VISUAL EDGE IN READING/WRITING ERGONOMICS
COVD is the “College of Optometrists in Vision Development” who focuses on providing meaningful and useful information on the prevention, enhancement, and rehabilitation aspects of learning, vision therapy and more. In their Volume 39 and Issue 3 article, the importance of visual-motor integration (VMI) is discussed along the various aspects of how hand mechanics affect writing and how the reading angle affects how our eyes see text on a page. As an dynamic tool in reading, the Visual Edge Slant Board is featured in this article showing how the board supports proper reading and writing ergonomics.
For more information on COVD and vision therapy please visit www.COVD.org
To download the original article in pdf please click here