Your Health: Reading this is bad for your eyes

Digital blurIf you work on a computer, the world might look a little fuzzy at the end of the day.Blurred vision is a symptom of computer vision syndrome, a broad label the American Optometric Association uses for a growing health problem linked to computer screens.Research suggests video display terminals don't cause permanent damage. But eyestrain, fatigue, headache, dry eyes and even double vision are among the temporary symptoms of working on computers and other "near work."To reduce symptoms, try these steps:bull; Reduce glare from lights by keeping the room darker or using glare screens.bull; Keep the top of your screen at eye level or below so you look down slightly at it.bull; Use artificial tears for dry eyes.bull; Follow the 20-20-20 rule: take a break every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds looking off at a distance of 20 feet.Battery warningKeep those button-sized batteries away from children.Increased use of the little round lithium batteries has led to an increase in injuries from children swallowing them.From 1985 to 2009, the percentage of ingestions causing severe injury increased sevenfold. There were 13 deaths and numerous severe throat injuries.A new study in the journal Pediatrics found that most of the batteries came out of a product, most often a TV remote control.Researchers suggested all lithium battery compartments require a tool or lock to open, and that parents must be vigilant to keep batteries away from their kids.Cochlear successDeaf children who receive cochlear implants before age 18 months dramatically improve their ability to hear, understand and, eventually, speak, according to a recent study.The research, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is believed to be the first nationwide look at timing in the success rate of the implants, which transmit electrical signals from the ear to the brain.Researchers led by a Johns Hopkins team followed 188 children with profound hearing loss, age 6 months to 5 years, for three years.Each year of delay, investigators said, can put a child a year behind in language development.They say all infants with suspected hearing loss, and those with a family history of deafness, should be monitored closely.Survivor socialCancer survivors, friends, family and caregivers are invited to enjoy free ice cream sundaes this weekend at Delnor Hospital in Geneva.To celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day, Delnor will offer an old-fashioned ice cream social. Oncology physicians and staff will scoop out the good stuff from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 5, on the hospital's front lawn, at 300 Randall Road.The keynote speaker will be Kairol Rosenthal, cancer survivor, author and blogger at everythingchangesbook.com.To register, call Physician Finder Services at (630) 208-3993.False20001997If you work on a computer, the world might look a little fuzzy at the end of the day. False