The Student Room Group

Too much TV and PC.... any real damage?

Hey, since I started my gap year this year I've well had a bit too much free time:redface: and my only real way of passing time is to well watch TV and go on the PC.........for a very long time (I mean like 5 hours a day and possibly more). Usually at the end of each day my eyes are really strained and well my head well just ain't what it used to be it, and feels like its in decline at times. This is bad patricually i'm starting to revise for my exams and I have to admit its a real struggle and i just feel i'm so dopey at times!

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Reply 1
your eyes will go square ;yes;
Reply 2
I'm on the PC much more than that and never had any problems. That's not to say there aren't any, just I've never experienced them.
Reply 3
Haha, I'm at Uni and I probably manage 5 hrs of TV/computer a day.. I'm fine...
Reply 4
to be honest think of people who work in an office. they probably spend 6-7 hours at a computer at work, then maybe another 2 when they get home possibly, then maybe even tv on top of that. I wouldnt worry!
Reply 5
Aren't you usually supposed to do something on your gap year?!
Reply 6
I spent so much time on the computer in the dark over Easter that I gave myself eye strain. If you're noticing that your eyes are feeling strained after using the computer, even for a relatively short amount of time, then don't use it so much. Even though eye strain isn't really permanent damage, it lasts for ages and you'll find it hard to overcome when you're having to revise a lot as your eyes won't have a chance to rest.

Some stuff my optician told me with regards to eye strain; always have a light on in the room when using the computer, take a break every 20 minutes or so to look at something neutral and distant, make sure your chair is set so that your eyes are level with the top of the monitor, and don't use the computer so much.
The whole 'TV makes your eyes go square/blind you/melt and dribble out of your brain' is a bit of a myth. Early TVs used to be big emitters of ultraviolet radiation which really did damage your eyes if you were too close to the source, but they started building in adequate shielding about 40 years ago.

But at the end of the day if your TV is a CRT you're basically watching a flickering screen for hours on end (think staring into a lightbulb) which could mess you up a bit. Solution? Watch less TV? *******s! Just get a flat screen :p:
dh00001
your eyes will go square ;yes;

Yes, and if you eat a chilli steam will come out of your ears.
Reply 9
I use the computer anywhere up to 15 hours per session of poker. I'm always fine after these sessions. In fact, once i managed a 30 hour session of continuous poker on the PC with 5 min breaks per hour. That is kinda pushing it tbh. But i only really average 4 hours a day now. I'm always fine after long sessions, apart from feeling extremely tired.
Reply 10
are you on a profit?
Reply 11
hixey101
are you on a profit?


considering that is my only source of income, yess. Else i wouldn't play :smile:

*checks software* I'm on $14 an hour :biggrin:
Reply 12
haha nice, id love to get to that stage
Reply 13
hixey101
haha nice, id love to get to that stage


i take it you play too then? :p: ack you should read 'super systems 2' it really helps.


Spoiler



although it is the most antisocial thing you could be doing at times.
Reply 14
As long as you keep a good posture, you take breaks, and you make sure you drink water, you should be fine...the eye strain wont pose a big problem but it can cause some damage if you dont take at least a little break and the posture kinda speaks for itself.
Reply 15
My brother used to do that, sitting on the computer for hours on end, and now he has glasses. So yeah its really important to take brakes and sit properly.
Reply 16
wajiha
My brother used to do that, sitting on the computer for hours on end, and now he has glasses. So yeah its really important to take brakes and sit properly.


Well then, its a miracle i can even see then! :p: *has 20-20 eyesight*
Reply 17
5 hours a day? Yes. Acheive anything? No.
Reply 18
Vincente
Hey, since I started my gap year this year I've well had a bit too much free time:redface: and my only real way of passing time is to well watch TV and go on the PC.........for a very long time (I mean like 5 hours a day and possibly more). Usually at the end of each day my eyes are really strained and well my head well just ain't what it used to be it, and feels like its in decline at times. This is bad patricually i'm starting to revise for my exams and I have to admit its a real struggle and i just feel i'm so dopey at times!


You should go out more frequently.
Reply 19
Joric
You should go out more frequently.


hey leave him alone hehe! when i was on my gap year i used to only work and spend even up to 10 hours a day every day on my pc( god damn that game! ) and i can still see fine and dnt wear glasses... dont worry im through that stage... i now go out have a girlfriend etc :p: lol