Dear Readers,

M.M. is a 24-year-old male college student from a Kingston 8 address who reads books a lot and researches information online for long hours daily. He also uses the computer for recreational purposes. He is now experiencing headaches and eye pain which he feels are due to the long hours of using the computer daily.

As he needs to do his work, M.M. asks Lifeline what can be done to help relieve his problem?

M.M. seems to have 'eye strain'. This is a condition which develops over a period of time due to overuse of the eyes in activities involving focusing the eyes at a close range for a prolonged time.

This can result in headaches and eye pain and is often associated with a feeling of tiredness. People sometimes call this "tired eyes". Eye strain can also be associated with an involuntary twitching or 'tie' of the eyelids.

People who use the computer a lot, jewellers, people who read a lot, who sew and do fine needle point, often strain their eyes while trying to focus on their task for too long. Another cause of eye strain is wearing the wrong prescription corrective lenses.

To correct eye strain, the individual has to be able to rest the eyes.

One way is to lightly cover both eyes so that no light can be seen (without pressing on the eyes) for about 10 minutes while sitting in a relaxed manner. Another way to relax the eyes is to interrupt near vision tasks every 20 to 30 minutes and instead, look at a distant object in the room, or look out the window, for one minute. Too much 'near' focus may also lead to 'dry' eyes and using artificial tear drops which are available over the counter at pharmacies can help to soothe the eyes.

Eating habits

Healthy habits always promote good health so, eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables which contain anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals which protect the eyes. Beta-carotine and vitamin A are both anti-oxidants which are very important to eye health, and help to prevent eye strain.

Vitamins B, C and E also help to maintain healthy eyes. Vitamin C strengthens eye membranes. Vitamin B helps to prevent itching and burning of the eyes, and vitamin E is an anti-oxidant which also assists in the relief of some causes of blurred vision.

A cold compress to tired, painful eyes also provides significant relief of symptoms. If these methods do not help with relief of the eye discomfort, an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) should be consulted.

Write Lifeline, P.O. Box 1731, Kgn 8.