Eye Care Archive Expert Forum
Computer Usage and Degenerative Myopia
About This Forum:

Our Ask-A-Doctor Eye Care Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Font Size:
A
A
A
Background:
Blank
Blank
Blank
Blank Blank

Computer Usage and Degenerative Myopia

Hi,

I'm interested to find out if you think heavy computer use can make a person more myopic.

I say this because this year I was diagnosed with myopic degeneration in both eyes and this year (last 12 months) has been a very heavy year in terms of computer use possibly a 60% increase in computer use.  I have already cut right down on computer use and quit online gaming and just lurking near my machine simply because I wanted to anyway.

Up until the last 12 months my prescription was very stable even though it was just over -14 with no degen and this has now changed to -15.

it all seems to link to me, but I totally changed my computer working habits.

Any advice or thoughts would be great!

thanks

roto
Related Discussions
Avatar_n_tn
well yes and no.  yes, heavy computer use does usually cause increase in myopia from accommodative spasm.  it also IMO accellerates myopia progression in children.

but it has nothing to do with "myopic degeneration" or retinal thinning from having an excessively large eye.  

so while it probably did contribute to your Rx changing from -14 to -15, it is not affecting your retina.  i only mention retinal problems not b/c you mention them, but b/c the term "myopic degeneration" generally refers to retinal problems associated with myopia (but not computer use)
2 Comments
Blank
Avatar_n_tn
forgot to mention I'm 31 years of age
Blank
Avatar_n_tn
thanks for your response
Blank
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
Continue discussion Blank
Go
MedHelp Health Answers
Blank
Weight Tracker
Reach your weight goal faster
Start Tracking Now
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1349564002
Blank
Parkinson Awareness Month: Parkinso... Blank
May 10 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
233488_tn?1310696703
Blank
NEW STUDIES ON PREVENTING PROGRESSI...
May 08 by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAOBlank
2126606_tn?1346348724
Blank
Heroin Use in the U.S.
May 08 by Clare Waismann Kavin, Blank