Eye Health

Hello,

Just curious, if you had good vision before, did working in IT after a while affect your eyesight?
I don't wear glasses and have normal vision, obviously would have better vision if I didn't use the computer all the time but hopefully it doesn't get worse if I have a long career in IT.

Thanks, and maybe if there are solutions to prevent eye problems please let me know.

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techfiend

Avoid the blues! https://justgetflux.com/

Fadakartel

Yup watching screens all day now I cant see without glasses if i take my glasses off I only see blurriness and i cant see small fronts at all, driving is a pain since my eyes are always heavy/tired.

Ill possibly need to take laser eye surgery in the future.

thomas_

Supposedly gazing at an object 21 feet away or more rests the eye. Do this periodically as you are working every 20 or 30 minutes.

dustervoice

Had perfect eyesight .. Now i'm almost blind from looking at computer screens all day.

Danielm7

Former good vision guy here now that wears glasses. For years the eye doc was like, "you sure you work on computers all day? Your vision is fine!" Then eventually it got more difficult. Now without glasses I can see fine for most thing can drive without problems, but reading small text is a blurry mess.

Nightflier101BL

I've had reading problems up-close for as far back as I can remember, but never wore any glasses. One year into my first IT job and it started becoming a real problem. Went to the eye doctor who told me I was "extremely far-sighted." I was given reading glasses, had to go up two strengths in 6 months, lol. I'm finding now that I need to wear glasses most of the day. I have a weaker pair for the majority of the day and a stronger pair when I'm reading books.

I can't read a damned thing without glasses unless it's 2 or 3 feet away from my face. I'm 34 and figured that it's just probably time for me to start deteriorating.

I used to work in construction, outside everyday in the sun and never had to read many things. I can't be sure that it was computers that did me in but I really noticed it having an effect on my eyes a little while in. Maybe it was the little push that made me realize I'm having problems.

bloodshotbetty

I'm already blind in one eye and a -6.75 in the other...so I surely hope that IT won't damage them further. I will update you in a year.

Pseudonym

Get a pair of computer glasses. I noticed blurry vision and headaches after a couple months of working behind a computer and bought a pair. They've prevented severe vision deterioration. Wearing normal glasses will actually just exacerbate the problem. You also want to adjust your screen brightness to the right level to prevent eye strain.

scaredoftests

I use a HUGE magnifying glass. LOL.

Priston

No issues with what i'm able to see, still 20/20, I am in the age group that grew up with computers and video games.

networker050184

I'm still 20/20 as well, but I do feel the eye strain. It was bad for a while and I tried computer glasses and the look 20 feet away every 20 minutes deal. It helped out a bit, but what helped the most was getting new monitors with a better refresh rate.

NetworkNewb

I used to get eye strain at a previous company where the lights in the ceiling were too bright for me. If I ever felt my eyes feeling strained I would take a minute or two and sit with my eyes closed. Helped me.

The only time I would ever get eye strain from a computer was back in college when I would be gaming for endless hours some nights... Tried computer glasses, never really liked them though. No clue what my vision numbers are, maybe been to an eye doctor once or twice in my life, have always had good vision and can see clearly though.

joelsfood

I first got eyeglasses in 5th grade, so long before I staretd sitting in front of a screen (or two rather, now) all day. My prescription hasn't changed in the last ten years though, so sitting at the computer definitely hasn't made it worse.

techtia

Thanks for all the input, this is a concern of mine if I do get into IT.

veritas_libertas

techfiend wrote: »

Avoid the blues! https://justgetflux.com/

Thanks for this! Very nice.

My eye glass lenses are suppose to help reflect the harmful rays. They seem to help.

PJ_Sneakers

bloodshotbetty wrote: »

I'm already blind in one eye and a -6.75 in the other...so I surely hope that IT won't damage them further. I will update you in a year.

So I complain about my sight often, but this makes me feel like the -3.75 in both eyes is a blessing.

Eyesight started degrading before I really started staring at a monitor. 4th or 5th grade.

gespenstern

My vision started to deteriorate in 3rd grade when I didn't know that computers exist. It went down to -7 when I was in a high school and stopped there and no matter how long I sit in front of my PC since those days it doesn't get worse (that's >20 of IT career since high school).

Also I know a guy, who is a cool infosec specialist of my age and he has 100% vision despite spending all of his life in front of computers starting with green monochrome mainframe displays to these days.

I believe that eye strain and all that has more to do with hereditary issues and the way a person uses their eyes, how much tense a person puts on their eyes, their unconscious behavior, etc.

sec_jester

Get Flux - I love this app, although it can be depressing when the screen going dark is the only way I know the sun is going down.

Get EyeDrops!! - Make sure you get the ones that are just "tears", meaning they are for lubricating the eye. Do NOT get ones that "get the red out". Use the drops as directed, part of the problem is staring at bright screens keeps your eyes from blinking.

Maybe computer glasses - most of the stuff from the gaming / computer glasses, is bunk but ones that help reduce glare / cut down the brightness (limit certain wavelengths) should help but this is dependent from person to person.

TAKE A BREAK - as stated above, every 15-20 mins stop (you can set a timer app) and focus on something far away.

techtia

Within a company, do you think other departments use the computer just as much as an IT professional would?
Obviously IT pros work with computers more but would you say by a huge margin?

networker050184

Totally depends on the company and what they do. Plenty of other professions that sit in front of the computer all day.

Psydrox

Eyestrain reducing glasses work well for me

techtia

Thanks again for the replies, I just have another question. If eye deterioration is really a big concern for an individual, what position/role in IT cuts back on the amount of time spent staring at the computer screen?

Cerebro 2.0

In the companies I've worked at HR has been good at giving advice relating to this. Such as taking regular breaks from the screen, but when you are busy with deadlines it is next to impossible!

bloodshotbetty

PJ_Sneakers wrote: »

So I complain about my sight often, but this makes me feel like the -3.75 in both eyes is a blessing.

Eyesight started degrading before I really started staring at a monitor. 4th or 5th grade.

Hey, thanks for rubbing it in!

I kid, I kid.

PJ_Sneakers

bloodshotbetty wrote: »

Hey, thanks for rubbing it in! I kid, I kid.

Uhhhh. At least you don't need an eyepatch like Carl?

techfiend

The few computer glasses I've tried do little more than filter blues. The way I'd suggest to use flux is setting it to a warmer tone all the time, I use 5000k. I started developing some serious periodic eye strain awhile back. My eyelids would involuntarily close. This led to migraines and affected my sleep. I began to notice it wasn't as severe on weekends.Within a week of viewing mostly warm screens, with flux's help, it disappeared. Eye doc told me it was likely blue light sensitivity which is common. Fluorescent lights are another source that I try to avoid looking at.