Avoid strain, give kids’ eyes a break

Children are at risk of developing eye strain, blurred vision and headaches from frequent computer and videogame use, according to the Optometric Physicians of Washington.

“The kids don’t necessarily complain about it,” said Willard Hogan, an optometrist at Franklin Park Vision Clinic in Spokane.

“It’s the parents who will say their kids get headaches once in a while. Or they’ll notice the kids are sitting close to the computer or holding the Game Boy real close.”

The cure is simple: “Give the eyes a break. Send the kids outside,” Hogan said.

Here are some other tips from the state optometric organization:

• Set and enforce time limits on a child’s computer use. A 10-minute break every hour helps prevent eye focusing problems and eye irritation caused by improper blinking. Or try the 20/20/20 rule: every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds and look at least 20 feet away.

• Is the computer set up for a child or an adult? Often, the computer monitor is too high or the chair is too low. Try an adjustable chair. A foot stool may be needed to support the child’s feet. The monitor should be 16 to 30 inches from the eyes. The top of the monitor should be slightly below directly horizontal to the eyes. Also, tilt the top of the monitor away at a 10- to 20-degree angle.

• Turn the desk or computer to prevent glare on the screen. Or draw curtains to reduce window lighting, without darkening the room too much.

• Reduce the amount of lighting in the room. Substitute a lamp for a bright overhead light. Or install a dimmer switch to give flexible control of room lighting. Or try a three-way bulb on its lowest setting. The room should not be completely dark however.

Grant awarded

The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke has awarded a grant to the Washington State University Head Injury Research Program as it seeks ways to build patients’ mental abilities following traumatic brain injuries. The WSU project is a collaboration with St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute in Spokane.

The grant will bring the project more than $647,000 over four years.

New antidepressant

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Eli Lilly’s new antidepressant Cymbalta. It works similarly to Wyeth’s Effexor, increasing both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

It also may cause similar harsh withdrawal symptoms and should not be stopped cold turkey, according to a Web site called www.crazymeds.org. The Internet site is one of many built by patients who want to help other patients deal with the side effects of antidepressants.

The patient behind Crazy Meds is a self-described “bipolar, epileptic, autistic, agoraphobic spazz.” The site’s philosophy is: The drugs have problems, but they’re better than life without ‘em. (This philosophy is much more graphically expressed on the site.)