Jul 3, 2008

THE EYE MAN: Computer use is not cause of glaucoma

By Dr. Andrew Soss / Daily News columnist

Dear Dr. Soss: I've been working at a large dot-com company in the area for about 3 years now. I'm on the computer constantly for 6 to 8 hours a day. I've complained to my bosses that this is too long and that it bothers my eyes.

Now, I just found out from an eye doctor that I have glaucoma. I warned my bosses that my eyes were getting ruined from their computers.

I'm so mad that I'm thinking of suing them; they should have known better. I'm telling everyone I know that working on computers can cause this to my eyes, so others should be careful too!

M.J.



M.J.: Glaucoma is a disorder of the eye in which the fluid within the eye cavity has a pressure, which for that individual, is high enough to create damage to the optic nerve, leading to permanent loss of vision. Fortunately, even though glaucoma rarely has symptoms, the condition is very manageable.

However, there is no evidence or even a suggestion of evidence that computers in any way, shape or form are related to the development of this eye disease.

We as humans try to create a causal relationship between events and circumstances of those events. Sometimes our instincts are correct.
Other times, as in this particular instance, there is in fact no relationship. There are different forms of glaucoma - some of which have a clear causal relationship, such as is evident in patients with diabetes that isn't under control. However, in most instances of newly diagnosed glaucoma, there may be a hereditary component or factor that triggers the malfunction leading to this condition.

So, before you presume that your bosses must have known about something that really does not exist, check your facts. Do not disseminate false medical information to others. Frivolous lawsuits put a burden on the courts and the taxpayers.



Questions to Dr. Soss should be sent to his e-mail theeyedoctor@att.net or via his Web site at www.dr-andrewsoss.com. All answers and opinions are those of Dr. Soss and not necessarily shared, endorsed or affiliated with this or any of our newspaper agencies.

Dr. Andrew C. Soss, OD, FAAO, has been practicing for over 20 years. During that time he has been a clinical instructor in the department of ocular pathology at the University of California. As a primary eye care provider in private practice in Burlingame, he is also board certified in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of primary open angle glaucoma.