Glaucoma and reading (screens and books) Help!!!

[akbardante]

I am 38 years old and I was recently diagnosed with open angle Glaucoma (I already have some vision field lost on my left eye), we had some doubts if it may be normal tension glaucoma (the first 2 readings of my iop were 16 in both eyes and 12 in both eyes), but my last iop reading was 23 (left) and 26 (right). I started treatment with travorprost and my IOP will be check again in 2 months.

My question is: Could I save some vision (delay vision loss) if I stop using computers? Can screens raise my IOP? Is reading books better than reading from a screen?

I recently (2 years ago) changed my career path from teaching to IT, right now I work on a computer all day long and after that I study C.S for about 3-4 hours (previously I was also gaming but I stopped it). If saving some vision is the prize I wouldn't mind going back to my previous job.

I've spoken with 3 specialists so far, they are wonderful about explaining Glaucoma and IOP as well as treatments but no one will answer my doubts in regard to screens and book reading, they just talk about the 20/20/20 rule and about following the treatment (but they won't address my doubt about getting away from the screen could be beneficial delay some vision loss).

[Cornwalleyes]

The truth is no-one knows what causes glaucoma and/ or what effects daily life has on it. The only thing you could do is ask them to test your eye pressure every hour for a day to see when/if it goes up and down during the day.

[Hidden]

I don't think reading from a screen or books is detrimental at all. I will try and find the link that confirms this I think it's from John Hopkins University. They basically say use your eyes as much as you want.

[Hidden]

Hi I use a computer and was told it was fine. I asked this when first diagnosed. Have you got open angle glaucoma. Does it run in your family. Are you in the uk. If you are the doctors should have said it’s ok to carry on with all your asking

[Sunshine88888888]

Hi I was a teacher for 28 years, then spent 10 plus years working for County, analysing data, well vast amounts of data! Writing reports etc all intensive and hours in front of a computer. I was diagnosed 22 years ago with Glaucoma and I was never warned that my work would be detrimental to my condition. However what I never did was heed the advice of taking enough breaks from the computer, I’d spend all day and night if need be getting a job done! Also I wish I had taken dry eye drops every single day that I started the intensive computer work, my eyes did get tired and sore but I never once considered they could be dry! So whilst as far as I know my work didn’t impact on my glaucoma however there is no doubt straining my eyes, not having enough breaks, not looking away from the screen,on a regular basis and not using dry eye drops undoubtedly has taken its toil on my vision and health of my eyes quite separate from the glaucoma. So do seek advice and do heed advice! Don’t wait 20 years like I did, hindsight is a great thing 😊

[NewCardinal]

As others say, the eye specialists really don't know. There doesn't seem to have been much research done into this; I guess because such an intense use of IT is relatively recent (10-15 years). But you probably need to bear in mind the effects on other eye problems such as short-sightedness or long-sightedness (which can be corrected with glasses). Either of these conditions on top of actual vision loss caused by glaucoma might start and make things a bit more difficult. I have some vision loss in both eyes and am very short-sighted, the latter having got greater as I've had eye operations to combat glaucoma progression. It really is a matter of trying to juggle priorities but live a normal life. Frequent computer breaks certainly would help reduce eye strain.

[Beecalmed]

Hi there! I’d agree with what’s already been said. I would add another consideration which is the toll that a sedentary occupation takes on your general health. Work on computers can suck you in and stop you moving about adequately during the day. Screen blue light can mess with your sleep patterns. Both can impact on your general health. Although we don’t know exactly what causes glaucoma we should perhaps always consider more than just our eye health when considering preventative measures for glaucoma progression and consider the body and mind more holistically. If you can be diligent at taking breaks, ensure you have good work/life balance and most importantly enjoy your job so it’s a healthy stress then I would see no harm in IT. I come from a family of teachers. Teaching can be a very fulfilling job however it can also be extremely stressful too - and at the moment due to covid there is a lot of teaching that’s moved online and I’m guessing there’s now additional stresses. I think the key takeaway with a glaucoma diagnosis is to live your life to the fullest. Eat healthy. Take regular gentle exercise. Keep up with your eye checks and takes your drops diligently. Prioritise what gives you joy and ditch that stuff that brings you down. Weigh your job options up in light of all that. 👍🏻

[Kiara-52]

Hi, Akbardante, It's an interesting question. I am 52 and recently diagnosed with POAG in my right eye (some vision loss). My job is all based on computers as well. Since diagnosis I am being more careful and taking more breaks away. I have worked full time with computers for many years and I don't think that what has caused my Glaucoma as it runs in my family, my father had it. Screen time on computers and phones etc are part of my everyday life and I don't think its that good for my eyes ( tired , strained etc ) and I am trying to cut back where I can. I have also been put on drops and am hoping that will keep it under control. If you can find any answers re computer use and Glaucoma I would be interested to know. Good luck on your Glaucoma journey.

[Onthemove1971]

Here a few thoughts: speak to a low vision Specialist. They see vision and help to make accommodations for it. Ask them they can provide research for you. I am no doctor but Glaucoma is a anatomical issue on the inside of the eye, if anything one would worry about the lens of the eye with screen exposure.

If you are worried maybe look into glasses with blue lenses/filters to see if they make a difference. Or place a filter over you computer screen.

I have very bad migraines and having these glasses and I feel they help to reduce eye strain and there is a thought that helps to reduce migraines.

Also.. if you want to go back to your old job, go for it! Life is to short and using your vision that much could be hard in the future. You could also do things like increase the size of the print you are reading and decrease the brightness of the screen and see what you think.

Best of luck!

[Sennaman]

I use a computer at home and at work and was not told to reduce my time on the computer at all and I have open angle Glaucoma in left eye with irreversible optical nerve damage and vision closing in the left eye but I do have the computer screen quite bright as I seem to stare to long if the screen is half the brightness and then my vision is is blurred plus I am writing a book so I am working a lot more hand writing and putting information onto computer but I have noticed the computer at work is quite dim even at its highest setting as its an old pc which makes me look at the screen for a few more seconds than I would like and sometimes gives me double vision from it

[Helen_GlaucomaUK Administrator]

Hello akbardante. Everyone is giving such good advice. Looking at a screen all day with glaucoma has not been proven or advised against if you have glaucoma. The 20/20/20 rule is good to practice, from the refraction of your eyes point of view. If it is going to affect your eyes, it will be to make them dry. It has been proven that we blink less when looking at a screen, our mobile or TV. Using artificial tears during the day may help with this, along with remembering to blink a little more often.

[Tricia3]

I stopped working for a year at start of the pandemic and spent a lot more time outside and there was a significant improvement in my eye health. So much so I’ve made the decision to retire rather than go back to spending all day focussing on words on a screen. Anecdotal personal evidence only but it made a difference for me.