A couple Q's

[Flagged]

Hi, I just turned 17 years old, I've been staying up through the night the last month and sleeping in the day. (I've been online talking to people in Australia)

I have heard that computer screens don't damage eyes, but do you know if too much of them, in an otherwise dark room, can give you darker central vision?

Also I've been seeing a lot of big flashes of light in both my eyes at once that only last a split second, then afterwards the color/lighting of everything is strange for a while, like just 5 minutes ago I had a flash and now everything is extremely dark, it's hard for me to see anything in my semi-light room.

I've always had better than 20/20 vision, and I went to the eye doctors recently and nothing was wrong with my eyes.

Sometimes if I look straight ahead for about 10-15 seconds in a semi-dark room, then everything will start turning pitch black, but turns back to normal after I refocus.

Do you know of anything that would fit these symptoms? As I said the specialist eye doctor said nothing looked wrong... but too me it's obvious something is very, very wrong with my eyes.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

We never assume anything posted here by a patient is a joke. That has happened on other forums and the patient's have been very offended. Remember this forum is viewed by people all over the world and someone somewhere is going to take anything literally. If anyone feels inclined to post jokes here, especiallyon the physician forum please insert (joke) after the comment.

JCH III MD

[Occupant]

You coundn't possibly have thought, that I was serious about that - it was a JOKE. I could just as soon blame it on the phases of the moon.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Sorry, I just can't leave any readers with the impression that prolonged cataract use causes cataracts. It doesnn't. COMPUTER USE MAY CAUSE EYE STRAIN BUT NOTHING PERMANENT AND CERTAINLY NEVER CAUSES CATARACTS.

JCH MD Eye Physcian and Surgeon

[Occupant]

If anybody would have an effect due to staying on the computer too long and staring at the screen, it should be me. I have been doing this professionally for 20 years 8 hours a day some times 10 or 12 and never had your symptoms - of course I could always blame my cataracts on this.

[Flagged]

Thanks, I've alrdy been off since I posted, just came on to check it.

I was concidering just coming back on again though, because nothing's been changing, but now that I know it's your opinion too I will stay off.

Thanks again
:)

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Give your computer a long rest and see if you symptoms clear up after a week off line. If you problems continue, and you've had a normal exam by a ophthalmologist, consider seeing a neurologist.

JCH III MD