Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 18

SPOTLIGHT

TECHNOLOGY'S
TOLL ON
YOUR HEALTH
Here's what you can do to
protect your eyes and ears

C

omputers, tablets and smartphones are
grabbing our attention-and taking a toll
on our eyes and ears. A Nielsen report

found that adults in the United States spent
21 hours a week using these devices. And while
such devices are generally safe, there are health
risks to watch out for.

SCREENS CAN STRAIN THE EYES
Staring at a screen, whether it's a smartphone,
tablet or computer, can cause eyestrain. It's
a common problem that 31 percent of Americans
say they've experienced.
"Symptoms of eyestrain include pain around
the eyes, dry eyes, blurred or double vision,
and an increased sensitivity to light. These symptoms can sometimes lead to drowsiness," says
Samuel Friedel, MD, a clinical associate professor
of ophthalmology at the University of Maryland
School of Medicine and the chief of ophthalmology at UMMC Midtown Campus.
The risk of eyestrain increases the longer you
spend looking at screens, and extensive screen use
is common. According to The Vision Council, more
than 87 percent of Americans use screens for
more than two hours a day.
"Using computers, tablets and smartphones for

18  MARYLAND'S HEALTH MATTERS



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017

In This Issue
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 1
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - In This Issue
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 3
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Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 8
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 9
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 10
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 11
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 12
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 13
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 14
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 15
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 16
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 17
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 18
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 19
Maryland’s Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2017 - 20
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/manifest/mhm_midtown_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_midtown_2016winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_midtown_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_midtown_2015summer
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_midtown_2014winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_midtown_2013winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_midtown_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mcmurry/mhm_midtown_2013summer
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