Technology

Eye health is crucial to your general well-being, after all you’ve only one pair of eyes. Given how much time is spent on the electronic screen, it becomes imperative to take steps to regulate time computer time. Eye doctors strongly suggest looking up every 20 minutes for 20 seconds (20/20 is easy to remember) to give your eye muscles time to relax. That’s a major part of taming the problem but there are other things to take into consideration as well. How’s the lighting in the room? Too bright? Adjust lighting so the screen does not emit glare. Use a glare filter is necessary. Even rearranging the table helps. Ideally, the screen should be slightly below eye level, positioned between 18 to 20 inches away from your eyes. Then, work the settings on the computer—adjust brightness, contrast, font size to find the best settings for your eyes.

Being aware of this problem is half the battle won. You can now take steps to improve your work environment or regulate computer time to reduce eyestrain. Visit your eye doctor to discuss computer vision syndrome. Sometimes, you may need glasses or contact lenses to correct computer eye syndrome. Other cases may call for special computer glasses.

If you think you can use some corrective lenses to counter-act the effects of C.V.S., give trusted Metro Detroit Eye Surgeons Eye Michigan a call today. With a combined experience of over 30 years, Doctors Grosinger, Spigelman & Grey will have you seeing clear in no time at all. Whether it’s a pair of glasses or LASIK corrective laser eye surgery you need, Eye Michigan is THE place to help you with your Computer Vision Syndrome and all other visual ailments.

On April 8^th, 2014 Microsoft will no longer offer support for Windows XP, their Operating System that was made available to the public in 2001, over 12 years ago. Despite its age, Windows XP still has users all over the world, a fact that will leave many susceptible to attacks over the course of the next couple months.

Once XP is no longer backed by Microsoft support systems that are still running it are more at risk every day that they don’t upgrade, and this is especially true for medical offices and their network systems. If your office is still using Windows XP by April 8^th, that is technically non-compliant with HIPAA, PCI and a number of other computer security standards. While that may be the case, HIPAA won’t tell you directly that you’re in violation of their practices – not until it’s too late and you’re stuck with a hefty fine. Better to be safe than sorry, especially when it involves a person’s medical and financial history.

Another threat will be that of dubious attack methods not previously seen that are sure to make headlines after April 8^th. Hackers know that a large number of PC users will miss the XP deadline and will take full advantage of that fact. Don’t fall victim and expect Microsoft to help – they won’t.

Even if you don’t get attacked or infected, it’s still a good idea to upgrade your system if it’s running Windows XP. Once Microsoft support ends, you can expect other companies to follow suit shortly after. New software and hardware used in the medical field won’t be XP compatible, and you’ll be stuck with a useless computer, waiting for an upgrade you could’ve gotten a few weeks prior.

In short the best thing you can do in this case is to upgrade the operating system on your computer, or the computer itself. Odds are if you’re still using XP, you could probably use a new computer. The latest Windows operating system, Windows 8.1, is the most up-to-date operating system in terms of all capabilities and industry benchmarks. If your office is still using windows XP, be sure and look into an upgrade before it’s too late.

The average American spends practically every waking hour on some kind of electronic device, whether it be the computer, television, smartphone or reading tablet, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. And the study goes on to show that screen time is continually on the increase. With that much time spent on the electronic screen, and the eyes being a crucial part of the interaction, how does it affect eye health? Not too well, judging by reports from eye doctors. Too much screen time can generate a condition known as Computer Vision Syndrome.

What is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Too much time spends on the computer or any electronic screen may generate a cluster of vision-related problems that results from eyestrain. Focusing on a virtual screen with pixels instead of actual objects made the eyes work harder to focus, thereby straining eye muscles. Research reveals that 50% to 90% of computer users report at least some symptoms of vision problems.

What are the Symptoms?

Staring for long periods of time at a screen may result in headaches, blurred vision, dry eyes, neck and shoulder strain and eye discomfort. Although these symptoms are not life-threatening, continued prolonged computer use may generate other eye complications such as increased difficulty seeing and focusing. In addition, it may worsen existing eye conditions such as farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.

Part 2 Coming Soon

New technologies have been developed and utilized for the events and participants of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Ironically, even though these are Winter Olympics, Sochi has a relatively subtropical climate, where there isn’t a lot of snow. Snow making industries had to step into a new gear in snow production. Instead of put it straight on to the slopes, however, the snow is stored and applied when needed. In fact, about sixteen million cubic feet was stored for these Olympics. Also, a process called salting was applied to courses in order to keep the conditions fair. Salting is a when a chemical is put on the top layer of snow, which first melts it, but then freezes it.

Also, new gear has been developed for the Olympic competitors. This including the all new March 39 suit, produced with the partnership of Under Armour and Lockheed Martin. Using the input of dimples onto the suit allows the racer to travel much faster due to decrease in air resistance. Also, skiers have the opportunity to wear jackets containing the lightest waterproof zipper ever made. Not only has new technology been applied to jackets, but also to socks. Socks for hockey players were designed for calve and Achilles protection thanks to the use of copper and Kevlar.

Although Sochi has had its malfunctions, these new technologies are only few of many developed for the 2014 Winter Olympics. These new developments have only driven our home team to greater success overseas during the Olympics! Congratulations! #TeamUSA