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Battling Computer Vision Syndrome The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) wants Canadians, especially youths, to spend less time in front of a screen in order to avoid causing irreparable damage to their vision. According to the OAO, youths spend an average of six hours a day and more than seven hours on weekends looking at a screen. The association's research has shown a rise in the detection of visual problems due to the constant glaring at screens, causing a term called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). "Your eyes could be exerting extra effort or be forced to work harder to maintain a clear image when viewing the screen," stated a media release, issued by the OAO. "Even people with perfect vision may experience symptoms such as blurred vision, eyestrain and headaches with prolonged computer use." Optometrists recommend the 20/20/20 rule -- every 20 minutes, taking a 20 second break to focus the eyes on something at least 20 feet away. Other symptoms of CVS include: eye irritation, double vision, excessive tearing or dry eyes, eye pain and excessive blinking. More than two million Ontarians live with at least one of the four major eye diseases -- glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, according to the OAO. OAO recommends anyone experiencing these symptoms should visit their optometrist for an eye exam. The following are other tips to reduce the risks of CVS: · Position the screen approximately an arm's length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level; · Set colour and contrast tones to suit your eyes and match the brightness of your screen with your surroundings; · Minimize reflected glare on the screen by dimming the lights in the room if possible and consider using a protective anti-glare screen cover. Also consider positioning the screen to sit perpendicular to windows and other bright light sources. To locate the source of the glare, turn off your monitor to reveal a darkened screen, and tilt/swivel the monitor monitor until the reflection disappears; · Keep screen free of fingerprints and dust -- both can reduce visual clarity; · If you alternate between looking at your screen and paperwork, consider obtaining a clipboard that attaches alongside your monitor so the two are at the same working distance; · Remember to blink -- on average, a person blinks 12 times per minute, but when looking at a screen, the eye only blinks five times per minute, which can cause dry eyes; · Ask for anti-reflective coatings on lenses when purchasing glasses to protect the eyes from bright and/or flickering light sources, such as fluorescent lights; · Ask for lenses designed to reduce focusing effort while looking at computer screens. For more information, visit www.optom. on.ca. H O S P I T A L D O N A T I O N 43 | Thursday, July 9, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Before breaking for summer holidays, White Oaks Secondary School's (WOSS) Student Council presented a cheque for $2,000 to the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH). The funds, which amount to $5,000 in total, were raised to purchase a bench commemorating the school's donation in a children's and teens' mental health garden in an outdoor area at the new Oakville hospital, scheduled to open in December. Marla MacLeod, community fundraising co-ordinator at OTMH, was present to accept the cheque from Fonda Loft, head of special education and ESL, and WOSS student council adviser, and members of the WOSS student council. | photo by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or www.facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) DIAMOND Fabio De Rango Pharmacist/Owner Voted Oakville's Favourite Pharmacist & Pharmacy · Patient Counselling · Complete Diabetic Care · Home Visits · Consultations · Free RX Delivery DE RANGO PHARMACY INC 478 Dundas Street West | 905-257-9737 Canada Post DE RANGO PHARMACY INC 2501 Third Line | 905-465-3000 Open til Midnight | 7 Days a Week www.shoppersdrugmart.ca Why Do Oakville Families Trust Us with All Their Dental Needs? CosmetiC & Family Dentistry · implants invisalign · Dentures... From start to Finish! CROWN/DENTURE REPAIRS & RELINES, WHILE YOU WAIT Mon. - Fri. 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 1pm seniors DisCount Free Consultations New patients & ChilDren welcoMe OAKVILLE'S ONLY DENTAL OFFICE WITH A LAB ON PREMISES 2274 Lakeshore Rd. W. (at East Street) Oakville 905-827-2066 · www.brontedentist.com Dr. Michael Vo d.m.d · Kim Chung d.d.