Digital devices cause eye strain

Q: I went to my optometrist because I’ve been getting headaches and blurry vision. He told me I have computer vision syndrome. Is this a joke, or is there really a new syndrome to deal with? — Dave D., New York

A: It’s no joke, Dave. Computer vision syndrome, or digital eye strain, comes from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader and cellphone viewing. Its symptoms are eyestrain, neck and shoulder pain, dry eyes, blurred vision and headache.

Digital type is made up of tiny pixels and your eyes strain to connect those dots. Plus, most digital devices have very harsh, blue-light emissions.

On top of that, the typical working American spends seven hours a day in front of a computer or electronic device, TV time not included! When you stare at a digital screen, your blink rate goes from a normal 15 times a minute to as low as seven to five times a minute. That dries out your eyes and causes blurred vision.

To minimize eyestrain, the American Optometric Association suggests the 2020-20 rule: Take a 20-second break, every 20 minutes, to look at something 20 feet away. We also suggest using saline eyedrops.

Also, make sure your computer screen is 2 feet — a full arm’s length — away from your eyes and that your eyes are even with the top of your screen.

Fortunately, it’s likely that your vision will improve, along with your overall health, if you put down your digital devices, get outside, look at the scenery and walk 10,000 steps a day.

Q: My sister had a breast biopsy and said it was worse than her follow-up surgery. Then, my husband had a lump on this neck biopsied and said it was nothing to write home about. So why the difference? (Both are fine.) — Judith L., Shreveport, Louisiana

A: A biopsy is the removal and examination of live tissue in order to determine the presence, cause or extent of a disease. When a needle is used to extract cells from the tissue in question, it’s called a needle aspiration biopsy; and when tissue is removed with a larger surgical tool, it’s called an excisional biopsy

Hitting the Spot: Minimally invasive needle biopsies can be done in a doctor’s office using ultrasound as a guide. A heart, lung, liver, brain or kidney biopsy is done in a surgical center. The removed tissue usually is sent to a pathologist for review; you get the results in a few days.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.