Dr Omale Charles, Managing Director, Fortress Eye
Hospital and Medical Centre, Abuja, has advised those who spend long periods of
time on their mobile devices at night to always leave room lights on.
Charles gave this advice in an interview with the
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
He said this would go a
long way to reduce the level of light directed to the eyes which could lead to
damage to one’s vision.
The expert was speaking
on the sidelines of this year’s World Glaucoma Week (WGW) commemorated from
March 12 to March 18, with the theme: “Beat Invisible Glaucoma”.
Charles said those who
spent long periods of time on these devices and also computers should ensure
they took breaks away from the devices and gadgets in order to protect the eyes
from damage caused by excessive exposure to light.
“Working long hours on
the computer can affect the eyes and vision. This can trigger a negative
reaction to the eyes and cause headache, loss of concentration and ultimately
predisposes one to develop Computer Visual Syndrome.
“If this continues on a
long term basis, it can lead to permanent damage to the eyes.
“Therefore, one should
make efforts to wear protective eye glasses or use a computer screen so that
the level of direct light to the eyes is reduced.
“When you work on the
computer screen for long periods you should try to take a break from your work
once in a while.
“From 20 seconds to
about 20 minutes try to look at least 20 feet away and that way you break the
continuous exposure of the light to your eyes which can result in damage to the
element of vision.”
He also cautioned the
public, especially those predisposed to or at risk of developing eye diseases
against excessive consumption of alcohol.
Charles said consuming
alcohol in excess quantity could affect the nerves of the eyes increasing the
chances of damage to one’s vision.
The expert, who
described alcohol as a depressant, said the substance once consumed overtime
gave a feeling of euphoria and subsequently affected one’s thinking and
coordination.
Charles said alcohol
could only give such feeling to an individual because it worked through the
nerves, adding that any substance that worked using the nerves could affect
vision.
“For someone who
already has a biological predisposition to glaucoma, taking alcohol or any
other substance that can affect your nerves, thereby accelerating damage to the
nerve of vision.
“Another thing to
consider is the quantity of alcohol consumed by an individual and the level of
concentration of this alcohol.
“Drug and substance
abuse also has negative effects on the eyes; activities such as direct gaze at
the sun can expose one to ultra-violent radiation.
“When moving outdoors,
you should wear protective eye shade or a face cap to protect your eyes from
this radiation because it can cause external growth within the eyes and can
serve as a trigger for vision impairment.”
He listed other
activities that could directly affect the eyes to include welding, adding that
the iron particles caused direct trauma to the eyes.
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