Computer use creates fatigue, eye strain

By MARY JORDAN
Collegian Staff Writer

Colleges and universities across the country, including Penn State, are considering requiring their students to own computers.

While such a policy has obvious financial implications, there also can be hidden health and productivity concerns for those students who spend hours staring at glowing monitors.

Dr. William Tatcher, optometrist for Wise Eyes in Bellefonte, said increased time spent in front of computers doesn't damage the eyes, but it may cause eye strain and fatigue.

Shannon Nelson (senior-actuarial science) worked in front of a computer all day during her summer job and noticed the effect it had on her vision.

She said using computers makes her eyes tired, which can cause her to feel sleepy and result in getting less work done.

"I don't feel as though I'm as productive as I could be," Nelson said. "This computer is just staring back at me all day -- I can't get away from it."

Although Tatcher said he has never seen detrimental effects on the eyes from computers, dry eyes are a possible result of extended computer use. Looking at a computer screen slows the blink rate, he said, which results in dry eyes.

Sitting in front of a computer screen can be compared to watching television, Tatcher said. The old caution that sitting too close to a television screen will cause damage to the eyes is as untrue as the myth that computer screens cause eye damage.

Tatcher said televisions used to release radiation, which is where the myth originated.

Despite the fact computers do not cause any harm to the eyes, Dr. Edward Rosick, doctor of osteopathy at University Health Services, said fatigue can result from staring at a computer screen for prolonged periods of time. He added this exposure could lead to a lack of productivity in the workplace.

"Anytime people do one thing and one thing only for eight hours, their productivity declines," Rosick said.

Matt Black, consultant for the Center for Academic Computing, said other academic activities could also lead to eye fatigue.

"I wouldn't attribute it to just computers," he said, adding reading a book for a long period of time can be just as tiring.