Eyes, Eyesight, and Computer Monitors - Consequences of Too Much Online Reading

It is not believed that the computer screen, or television screen, damages eyes. There is, however, a condition, "Computer Vision Syndrome", which is associated with the symptoms of eye strain (dry eyes, headache, fatigue, and sometimes some blurring of vision).

While some of these symptoms can occur as a result of prolonged screen viewing, itself; some can be associated with the lighting in the room, the position of the monitor, one's chair height, and other factors that can cause muscles that would otherwise not be tense to be tensed.

Before being too reassured about the the monitor's long-term affect on your eyes, however, it is important to know that your eyes may be the least of your problems.

Behind your eyes is the pineal gland. a pea-sized gland that is affected by light and that regulates your body clock, along with your body's chemistry. The pineal gland produces normally produces melatonin (usually at night), and exposure to light (particularly the type of light produced by a computer screen) interrupts this natural process.

Among things said to be affected by too much light, or unnaturally long periods of exposure to it, are the immune system, moods, and even premature aging. Further, there is reason to suspect that the too much exposure to light could result in interfering with the production of a tumor-suppressing hormone.

In a Washington Post article, "Lights at Night Tied to Breast Cancer," by Rick Weiss, the issue of higher rates of breast cancer in women who live in areas that have a high degree of night-time illumnation is addressed. Weiss points out that light in the blue part of the spectrum, which is light from computer screens and fluorescent bulbs, is of particular concern.