FG Cautions Health Workers Against Female Mutilation

-The federal government has cautioned health workers in Nigeria against the medicalization of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Nigeria

-The minister of state for health, Osagie Ehanire has said that the practice of FGM accounts for 16 per cent of the estimated 125 million victims of FGM in the world

-The minister of information has charged journalist on accurate and adequate dissemination of information that would discourage the practice in Nigeria

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Minister of state for health, Osagie Ehanire delivering his speech at the launch of the national campaign for the abandonment of FGM in Nigeria at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The federal government has warned medical practitioners against the institutionalization of female genital mutilation (FGM/C) in Nigeria.

The minister of state for health, Osagie Ehanire stated this at the presidential villa in Abuja, on Tuesday, February 9 during the launch of the national campaign for the abandonment of FGM in Nigeria.

Ehanire noted that almost 20 million women aged 15 to 49 were estimated to have undergone FGM in Nigeria. This accounts for 16 per cent of the estimated 125 million victims of FGM in the world.

He said: “Nigeria is also faced nowadays with the problem of medicalization of FGM in which disinfectants and sterile cutting instruments are utilized to reduce the rate of infection or death. The medicalization of this process involves medical health professionals in the practice of female genital mutilation.”

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) has unequivocally advised against the institutionalization and performance of FGM by health professionals in any setting. The federal ministry of health is addressing this issue in collaboration with the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria to combat the medicalization of FGM by health practitioners in the country.”

He maintained that the national demographic health survey (NDHS) data had indicated that the trend of the practice in the South-West, South-East and South-South zones was higher than any part of the country.

He said: “Osun reported the highest FGM prevalence rate of 77 per cent in 2013 with Ebonyi 74 per cent and 72 per cent in Ekiti.

Speaking on some of the reasons for the practice, he stated that in some communities women who did not go through the process were circumcised after death. “And in such cultures, mourning is prohibited until such rituals are completed,”he added.

The minister described FGM as a serious human right violation of the female population of Nigeria that could have grave consequences adding that practice exposes to infections and potential adverse mental health effects.

He said that punishment for offenders had been outlined in the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015, making FGM now punishable by law.

He noted that the ministry had reviewed the 2002 national FGM policy and developed a costed plan of action which would last from 2010 to 2017 for the elimination of the practice in Nigeria.

According to him, the plan would address the problem of sectorial collaborations between the ministries of women affairs, education, community and religious leaders and the media.

In his remarks, the minister of information, Lai Mohammed charged journalist on adequate and accurate dissemination of relevant information about the practice.

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L-R The minister of information and culture, Lai Muhammed, Monsur Dan-Ali and minister of state for health, Osagie Ehanire

He said: “The media is a veritable tool for information dissemination and the journalist is key to interpreting and relating information in a manner that produces the expected reaction or behaviour from an audience.”

“The key to change in behaviour of the practice is adequate information dissemination of the root causes, prevalence and well as behaviour and attitudes that put women and girls at risk of being cut,” he added.

Presently, FGM is most practiced in Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Imo and Ebonyi state.

6 Serious Health Risks Lurking in Your Office

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Next time you plop down at your desk, consider the ways your office space—where you'll be spending the next eight-plus hours—might impact your body. "When you think about it, it's frightening how little we know about how our work environments affect us," says Carolyn Rickard-Brideau, an architect in Arlington, Va., who studies the link between design and human health. Everything from energy-efficient lighting to open floor plans has the potential to mess with your well-being. Here, leading experts highlight six dangers of the 21st-century office job and pitch their best tips to help you work smarter and feel better at the end of a (very) long day. 

The hazard: Fluorescent lighting

As incandescent bulbs go the way of the fax machine, CFLs are becoming an office fixture. Although they're certainly greener, they can be meaner when it comes to your skin: A study done at the State University of New York at Stony Brook found that tiny cracks in CFL coatings allow the bulbs to emit UVC rays, which can damage epidermal cells at close range. In other words, overhead fluorescents are A-OK, but you should rethink your desk lamp. "Sitting within 2 feet of this type of bulb for lengthy periods could be harmful," says lead study author Miriam Rafailovich, PhD.

Work well: Brighten your space with an LED light, which poses no health risk, says Rafailovich.

The hazard: Working nonstop

While budget-cutting corporations squeeze more and more from their employees, it's not surprising that nine-to-fivers (read: nine-to-niners) are more stressed than ever. But women seem to have it worse. Twenty percent of us report that our stress level is above an 8 (out of 10), compared with 16 percent of men, according to the American Psychological Association. And 43 percent of women say their stress is on the rise. That kind of chronic stress raises heart rate, blood pressure and levels of inflammation—all risk factors for heart disease, says Suzanne Steinbaum, DO, director of women's heart health at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Work well: Hit the water cooler. Walk a lap around the floor. Pee often! Worker bees who take short, frequent breaks experience less emotional exhaustion, more job satisfaction and fewer aches and pains than those who don't, according to 2015 research from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Can't find time to press pause? Suggest moving one of your meetings outdoors. Studies have shown that simply being in nature lowers blood pressure and levels of fight-or-flight hormones.

The hazard: Lack of privacy

Silicon Valley-inspired open floor plans are meant to encourage collaboration. But they also tend to generate a steady hum of distractions, as chatter, rings and pings travel freely through the airy space. One 2014 study found that workers lost up to 86 minutes of productivity a day due to various interruptions. "Every time you're disturbed, you must not only let go of the distraction but then reconnect with the original subject of attention," explains John Weaver, PsyD, a psychologist in Waukesha, Wis. This process just adds extra stress to your day.

Work well: See if you can expense some noise-cancelling headphones. Bose's QuietComfort 20 model ($300; amazon.com) has an in-ear design, so you can drown out the din without messing up your perfectly tousled bun. No dice? Take a breather in a quiet spot with a pretty view whenever you hit a wall, suggests Rickard-Brideau. "Thanks to a phenomenon called unconscious processing, your brain will keep working on a problem even though it's no longer in front of you," she explains. Expect a breakthrough on the way back to your chair.

The hazard: Beaucoup screen time

On average, we spend more than half our waking hours staring at electronic devices—a habit that can affect more than your neck. A 2014 Japanese study found that office workers who were parked in front of a computer for most of the day experienced a reduction in their tear fluid, a typical symptom of dry eye. (Ouch.) This is partly because we tend to blink less when we gaze at a screen. Poorly lubricated peepers can lead to strain, irritation and blurry vision.

Work well: Optometrists recommend giving your eyes regular breaks—which allows them to recoup that natural lubrication—by following the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, gaze at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

A Healthy Mouth for Your Baby

Healthy teeth are important—even baby teeth. Children need healthy teeth to help them chew and to speak clearly. And baby teeth hold space for adult teeth. This booklet can help you keep your baby’s mouth healthy and give him a healthy start!

Ann talks with Maria

Ann and her friend Maria were watching Maria’s children play.

“What are you doing?” asked Ann.

“I’m cleaning my baby’s teeth,” said Maria.

“But your baby hardly has any teeth!” said Ann.

“Yes, but the dentist said there are things I can do to keep my baby from getting cavities,” said Maria.

“But don’t baby teeth just fall out?” asked Ann.

“Yes, but before they fall out baby teeth can decay and cause pain for the baby. And baby teeth are important—they hold space for adult teeth,” said Maria.

“What else did the dentist say?” asked Ann.

“She told me that fluoride protects teeth. She also said to feed my baby healthy foods and not to put my baby to bed with a bottle,” said Maria.

“When do you have to start taking care of a baby’s teeth?” asked Ann.

“As soon as they come in. Teeth can start to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth,” said Maria.

“I’ll have to start thinking of those things soon!” said Ann.

Protect your baby’s teeth with fluoride.

Fluoride (said like floor-eyed) protects teeth from tooth decay.
It can even heal early decay.

Fluoride is in the drinking water of many towns and cities.

Ask a dentist or doctor if your water has fluoride in it. If it doesn’t, ask about other kinds of fluoride (such as fluoride varnish or drops) that can help keep your baby’s teeth healthy.

Check and clean your baby’s teeth.

CHECK your baby’s teeth.

Healthy teeth should be all one color. If you see spots or stains on the teeth, take your baby to a dentist.

CLEAN your baby’s teeth.

Clean them as soon as they come in with a clean, soft cloth or a baby’s toothbrush. Clean the teeth at least once a day. It’s best to clean them right before bedtime.

At about age 2 (or sooner if a dentist or doctor suggests it) you should start putting fluoride toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush. Use only a pea-sized drop of toothpaste
about as big as this—

Young children cannot get their teeth clean by themselves. Until they are 7 or 8 years old, you will need to help them brush. Try brushing their teeth first and then letting them finish.

Feed your baby healthy food.

• Choose foods without a lot of sugar in them.
• Give your child fruits and vegetables for snacks.
• Save cookies and other treats for special occasions.

Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle.

Milk, formula, juice, and other drinks such as soda all have sugar in them. If sugary liquids stay on your baby’s teeth too long, it can lead to tooth decay. (And decayed teeth can cause pain for your baby.)

What’s one of the most important things you can do to keep your baby from getting cavities?

Avoid putting him to bed with a bottle—at night or at nap time.
(If you do put your baby to bed with a bottle, fill it only with water.)

Here are some other things you can do:

• Between feedings, don’t give your baby a bottle or sippy cup filled
  with sweet drinks to carry around.
• Near his first birthday, teach your child to drink from an open cup.
• If your baby uses a pacifier, don’t dip it in anything sweet like sugar
  or honey.

Take your child to the dentist.

Your child should have a dental visit by his first birthday.
At this visit, the dentist will:

• Check your child’s teeth.
• Show you the best way to clean your child’s teeth.
• Talk to you about other things such as a healthy diet and fluoride that can keep your child’s mouth healthy.

 

Yale Researchers Identify Molecular Link between Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease

The high levels of obesity in the United States contribute to fatty liver disease, the most common form of liver disease. A newly published study from Yale University identifies molecular links between the two, and points to a possible therapy.

Fatty liver disease — also known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH — frequently progresses to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently there are no approved therapies. A team of researchers, led by Dr. Wajahat Mehal, director of the Yale Weight Loss Program, conducted a study to examine how obesity triggers a receptor protein, TLR9, which plays a key role in NASH development.

First, the researchers confirmed the role of TLR9 by observing that TLR9-deficient mice did not develop fatty liver disease even after being fed a high-fat diet. They also identified the ligands, or TLR9-activating molecules, that are elevated in both mice and human subjects with NASH. Finally, in collaboration with Dynavax Technologies, they tested a TLR9 blocker in mice fed a high-fat diet and found that it protected them from the development of NASH.

The findings have important implications for this life-threatening disease. “TLR9 could be targeted as therapy for NASH,” said Mehal, adding that other drugs that target the same pathway could be potential therapies.

“From other clinical trials, we know humans can take this TLR9-blocking drug, and it’s not toxic,” he said. The next step for Mehal and his colleagues is to determine the appropriate dosage of the TLR9-blocking drug in animal models before conducting clinical trials for patients with NASH.

Umbilical Blood Cells Kill Cancer Quicker Than Adult Cells

Small but mighty

Immature but deadly. Immune cells in fetal blood are better at destroying leukaemia cells than adult
cells, tests in mice suggest.

The results are a surprise because fetal immune cells haven’t had the lifelong “training” that adult
immune cells have had, yet they still seem to recognise and destroy abnormal cells.

People with blood cancers like leukaemia have to undergo chemotherapy to eradicate the blood
cells that are causing their cancer. The collateral damage is that most, if not all their healthy blood
cells go too. Stem cells from bone marrow transplants are used to repopulate their circulatory system
with healthy blood cells. The transplant has an extra benefit: the new immune cells in the blood can
help finish off any residual cancer cells that survived the chemotherapy.

Increasingly, donated umbilical cord blood – which contains fetal stem cells – is being used instead
of bone marrow transplants because the risk of rejection is lower with the immature cells. But doctors
thought this came at a price – if the immune cells in the cord blood are less aggressive to the recipient,
then presumably they are also less aggressive to any residual leukaemia cells.

Not so naive after all

Now, an experiment in mice has shown the exact opposite. “We thought the baby cells were much
tamer,” says team member Paul Veys of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.
“The assumption has been that they won’t fight but it’s the complete reverse,” he says.

Veys and his colleagues compared the impact of injecting immune cells from adult or cord blood into
mice with a form of human blood cancer called B-cell lymphoma. Tumours rapidly disappeared in the
mice that received the fetal immune cells, but kept growing in those that got the adult cells.

When the researchers examined tumour samples from the animals before they were destroyed, they
found that the fetal cells triggered rapid production of CD4 cells, the white blood cells that
orchestrate the immune system response to tumours and viruses. Moreover, the tumours rapidly filled
up with CD8 cells, the killer cells that actually destroy cancerous tissue.

The result was a surprise because the assumption has always been that compared with “seasoned” adult
cells, the immune cells in the cord blood would be too naive to recognise and kill abnormal cells.
“Instead, it seems they can pitch straight in without practice,” says Veys. He speculates that the cells
may have special immunological abilities that provide immediate protection to a growing fetus. “The
implication is that using cord blood may be a better choice to mop up leukaemia,” he says.

Biologists Extend Lifespan in Mice by 35 Percent

A team of biologists from the Mayo Clinic have shown that senescent cells – cells that no longer divide and accumulate with age – negatively impact health and shorten lifespan by as much as 35 percent in normal mice. The results, which appear today in Nature, demonstrate that clearance of senescent cells delays tumor formation, preserves tissue and organ function, and extends lifespan without observed adverse effects.

“Cellular senescence is a biological mechanism that functions as an ‘emergency brake’ used by damaged cells to stop dividing,” says Jan van Deursen, Ph.D., Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular biology at Mayo Clinic, and senior author of the paper. “While halting cell division of these cells is important for cancer prevention, it has been theorized that once the ‘emergency brake’ has been pulled, these cells are no longer necessary.”

The immune system sweeps out the senescent cells on a regular basis, but over time becomes less effective. Senescent cells produce factors that damage adjacent cells and cause chronic inflammation, which is closely associated with frailty and age-related diseases.

Mayo Clinic researchers used a transgene that allowed for the drug-induced elimination of senescent cells from normal mice. Upon administration of a compound called AP20187, removal of senescent cells delayed the formation of tumors and reduced age-related deterioration of several organs. Median lifespan of treated mice was extended by 17 to 35 percent. They also demonstrated a healthier appearance and a reduced amount of inflammation in fat, muscle and kidney tissue.

“Senescent cells that accumulate with aging are largely bad, do bad things to your organs and tissues, and therefore shorten your life but also the healthy phase of your life,” says Dr. van Deursen. “And since you can eliminate the cells without negative side effects, it seems like therapies that will mimic our findings – or our genetic model that we used to eliminate the cells – that drugs or other compounds that can eliminate senescent cells would be useful for therapies against age-related disabilities or diseases or conditions.”

Darren Baker, Ph.D., a molecular biologist at Mayo Clinic, and first author on the study is also optimistic about the potential implications of the study for humans.

“The advantage of targeting senescent cells is that clearance of just 60 to 70 percent can have significant therapeutic effects,” says Dr. Baker. “If translatable, because senescent cells do not proliferate rapidly, a drug could efficiently and quickly eliminate enough of them to have profound impacts on healthspan and lifespan.”

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Paul F. Glenn Foundation, the Ellison Medical Foundation, the Noaber Foundation and the Mayo Clinic Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging.

Others on the research team include: Bennett Childs; Matej Durik, Ph.D.; Melinde Wijers, Jian Zhong, Ph.D., Rachel Saltness, Grace Verzosa, M.D., Abdulmohammad Pezeshki, Ph.D., Khashayarsha Khazaie, Ph.D., Jordan D. Miller, Ph.D.; all of Mayo Clinic.

Dr. van Deursen is a co-inventor of the technology that has been licensed by Mayo Clinic to Unity Biotechnology. Mayo Clinic and Dr. Van Deursen have a financial interest in the technology referenced in this news release.

The Power of a Smile – How Smiling Can Change Your Life and Change the World (Part 2)

Smiling is such a key ingredient for establishing healthy and genuine friendships. When someone is smiling at you it indicates that they like you. When someone likes you what do you think of them? Yep, normally you’re thinking “wow, I like this person!” Smiling also offers encouragement to the person that you are talking to. Think about it, if someone is smiling at you while you are talking to them, you feel as though they are totally into what you are saying, encouraging you to keep going!

When you’re smiling, no doubt you’re having a much better time than when you’re not! Smiling simply makes you feel better!

Research has shown that smiling releases serotonin – a neurotransmitter that produces feelings of happiness and wellbeing. It’s like a circle of happiness. Smile and you feel happy, you feel happy and you smile! Even when you’re not feeling great, try smiling, genuinely, and see how you feel!

Smiling is crucial when it comes to first impressions. Smiling when you first meet someone will indicate to the other person that you are genuinely happy to see them and that you are a positive person. These impressions will be lasting on the other person so definitely not one to miss!

Business deals can be made simply through smiling. One of the first things that sales people quickly learn is to smile. Who would you rather buy something from? The sales rep that looks bored, down, angry, frustrated or whatever it may be, or from the sales rep that is simply smiling and happy to see you? The messages that they convey in conversation will link back to how they are feeling. A smiling person would be much more enthusiastic for the product and instil positive feelings in the buyer.

Even telesales have got a hold on this. Now sales reps that are on the other side of the phone are encouraged to smile when they talk as the smile is conveyed in how the person is talking! It can’t be that hard, can it?

A number of people will say that they find it hard to smile due to circumstances in their life. Research has shown that our thoughts and feelings influence our behaviours. As this is the case, I encourage you to close your eyes and think of the moments that have made you laugh and smile. How does this make you feel? These visualization exercises are great for helping you smile.

Further research has now flipped the above completely on its head and suggested that ourbehaviours can actually influence our thoughts and feelings! As this is the case, I encourage you to JUST DO IT! Simply forcing a smile will give you the benefits of the above. Stand up straight, work on your posture, smile to the world and ‘fake it till you make it’! It WILL work!

Computer Eye Strain: 10 Steps for Relief

With so many of us using computers at work, computer eye strain has become a major job-related complaint. Studies show that eye strain and other bothersome visual symptoms occur in 50 to 90 percent of computer workers.

These problems can range from physical fatigue, decreased productivity and increased numbers of work errors, to minor annoyances like eye twitching and red eyes.

Here are 10 easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of computer eye strain and other common symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS):

1. Get a comprehensive eye exam.

Having a routine comprehensive eye exam is the most important thing you can do to prevent or treat computer vision problems.

According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), computer users should have an eye exam before they start working on a computer and once a year thereafter.

During your exam, be sure to tell your eye doctor how often you use a computer at work and at home. Measure how far your eyes are from your screen when you sit at your computer, and bring this measurement to your exam so your eye doctor can test your eyes at that specific working distance.

2. Use proper lighting.

Eye strain often is caused by excessively bright light either from outdoor sunlight coming in through a window or from harsh interior lighting. When you use a computer, your ambient lighting should be about half as bright as that typically found in most offices.

Eliminate exterior light by closing drapes, shades or blinds. Reduce interior lighting by using fewer light bulbs or fluorescent tubes, or use lower intensity bulbs and tubes. If possible, position your computer monitor or screen so windows are to the side, instead of in front or behind it.

Many computer users find their eyes feel better if they can avoid working under overhead fluorescent lights. If possible, turn off the overhead fluorescent lights in your office and use floor lamps that provide indirect incandescent or halogen lighting instead.

Sometimes switching to "full spectrum" fluorescent lighting that more closely approximates the light spectrum emitted by sunlight can be more comforting for computer work than regular fluorescent tubes. But even full spectrum lighting can cause discomfort if it's too bright. Try reducing the number of fluorescent tubes installed above your computer workspace if you are bothered by overhead lighting.

3. Minimize glare.

Glare on walls and finished surfaces, as well as reflections on your computer screen also can cause computer eye strain. Consider installing an anti-glare screen on your monitor and, if possible, paint bright white walls a darker color with a matte finish.

Again, cover the windows. When outside light cannot be reduced, consider using a computer hood.

If you wear glasses, purchase lenses with anti-reflective (AR) coating. AR coating reduces glare by minimizing the amount of light reflecting off the front and back surfaces of your eyeglass lenses.

If your older monitor is causing computer eye strain, replace it with a flat-panel LCD screen that is easier on the eyes.

4. Upgrade your display.

If you have not already done so, replace your old tube-style monitor (called a cathode ray tube or CRT) with a flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD), like those on laptop computers.

LCD screens are easier on the eyes and usually have an anti-reflective surface. Old-fashioned CRT screens can cause a noticeable "flicker" of images, which is a major cause of computer eye strain. Even if this flicker is imperceptible, it still can contribute to eye strain and fatigue during computer work.

Complications due to flicker are even more likely if the refresh rate of the monitor is less than 75 hertz (Hz). If you must use a CRT at work, adjust the display settings to the highest possible refresh rate.

When choosing a new flat panel display, select a screen with the highest resolution possible. Resolution is related to the "dot pitch" of the display. Generally, displays with a lower dot pitch have sharper images. Choose a display with a dot pitch of .28 mm or smaller.

Flicker is not an issue with LCD screens, since the brightness of pixels on the display are controlled by a "backlight" that typically operates at 200 Hz.

If you see a lower refresh rate (e.g. 60 Hz) noted on an LCD screen, don't worry — this refers to how often a new image is received from the video card, not how often the pixel brightness of the display is updated, and this function typically is not associated with eye strain.

Finally, choose a relatively large display. For a desktop computer, select a display that has a diagonal screen size of at least 19 inches.

COMPUTERS AND CONTACTS

Do Contact Lens Wearers Have More Computer Vision Problems?

June 2014 — Because so many computer users wear contact lenses, researchers in Spain recently reviewed published studies to see if contact lens wear increases the risk of computer vision problems or causes a worsening of computer vision syndrome.

The investigators found 114 studies written in English or Spanish and published from 2003 to 2013 that referenced both contact lenses and computer use. They chose six studies for final analysis.

All six revealed that contact lens wearers were more likely to have computer vision syndrome symptoms than individuals who wore eyeglasses only or did not need corrective lenses. Prevalence of symptoms ranged from 17 to 95 percent among contact lens wearers and 10 to 58 percent among non-wearers. Also, contact lens wearers were four times more likely to have dry eyes during or after computer use, compared with non-wearers.

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses were associated with more comfort than regular soft lenses among computer users.

The study authors concluded that, during computer use, contact lens wearers suffer more eye discomfort and visual disturbances than non-wearers. But they also stated that, due to the small number of studies included in their analysis and the non-conclusive nature of some findings, more research is needed to determine the best type of contact lenses for computer users and how the lenses should be used.

A report of the study was published in the March/April 2014 issue of the journal Revista Espanola de Salud Publica.

5. Adjust your computer display settings.

Adjusting the display settings of your computer can help reduce eye strain and fatigue. Generally, these adjustments are beneficial:

• Brightness. Adjust the brightness of the display so it's approximately the same as the brightness of your surrounding workstation. As a test, look at the white background of this Web page. If it looks like a light source, it's too bright. If it seems dull and gray, it may be too dark.
• Text size and contrast. Adjust the text size and contrast for comfort, especially when reading or composing long documents. Usually, black print on a white background is the best combination for comfort.
• Color temperature. This is a technical term used to describe the spectrum of visible light emitted by a color display. Blue light is short-wavelength visible light that is associated with more eye strain than longer wavelength hues, such as orange and red. Reducing the color temperature of your display lowers the amount of blue light emitted by a color display for better long-term viewing comfort.

For computers running on a Microsoft Windows operating system, display settings can be adjusted in Control Panel. For an Apple computer, display settings are found in Systems Preferences (in the Applications folder in Finder).

In some cases, the color temperature of a desktop computer monitor is adjusted on the display itself.

EYE COMFORT TIPS

Text Size and Color on Your Digital Screen

To avoid eye strain, at what size should your computer display text? According to computer vision syndrome expert Dr. James Sheedy, it should be three times the smallest size that you can read from your normal viewing position.

The best color combination for your eyes is black text on a white background, though other dark-on-light combinations also work well.

If you use Windows 7, you can adjust text size and color by going to the Start menu, opening the Control Panel and choosing Display. Here you can also adjust your screen's resolution and brightness, for best visual comfort.

You can adjust text size when using Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and other browsers, too. For example, in Firefox, you can enlarge an entire webpage by using the keyboard command Ctrl + as many times as you want, while Ctrl 0 makes everything normal-sized again. (Ctrl - makes everything smaller.) To enlarge only the text, use Alt V, then Z, then T. Then use Ctrl + again, and you'll see just the text enlarging.

Each browser and email program has different commands for adjusting text size, so look through the menus to learn what they are. Or visit Google and search for how-tos there.

Many smart phones let you adjust text size. For example, on the iPhone 4, you simply open the Settings menu, then choose General, then Accessibility, then Large Text. Here you can choose a new font size for core applications such as Mail, Notes and Calendar. The font will also display in certain third-party applications.

Whatever type of digital screen you're using, you'll enjoy it more if you make the effort to adjust the view for your visual comfort. Don't know how? Check the manufacturer's website or look it up on Google. — L.S.

6. Blink more often.

Blinking is very important when working at a computer; blinking moistens your eyes to prevent dryness and irritation.

When working at a computer, people blink less frequently — about one-third as often as they normally do — and many blinks performed during computer work are only partial lid closures, according to studies.

Tears coating the eye evaporate more rapidly during long non-blinking phases and this can cause dry eyes. Also, the air in many office environments is dry, which can increase how quickly your tears evaporate, placing you at greater risk for dry eye problems.

If you experience dry eye symptoms, ask your eye doctor about artificial tears for use during the day.

By the way, don't confuse lubricating eye drops with the drops formulated to "get the red out." The latter can indeed make your eyes look better — they contain ingredients that reduce the size of blood vessels on the surface of your eyes to "whiten" them. But they are not necessarily formulated to reduce dryness and irritation.

To reduce your risk of dry eyes during computer use, try this exercise: Every 20 minutes, blink 10 times by closing your eyes as if falling asleep (very slowly). This will help rewet your eyes.

To ease eye strain, make sure you use good lighting and sit at a proper distance from the computer screen.

7. Exercise your eyes.

Another cause of computer eye strain is focusing fatigue. To reduce your risk of tiring your eyes by constantly focusing on your screen, look away from your computer at least every 20 minutes and gaze at a distant object (at least 20 feet away) for at least 20 seconds. Some eye doctors call this the "20-20-20 rule." Looking far away relaxes the focusing muscle inside the eye to reduce fatigue.

Another exercise is to look far away at an object for 10-15 seconds, then gaze at something up close for 10-15 seconds. Then look back at the distant object. Do this 10 times.

This exercise reduces the risk of your eyes' focusing ability to "lock up" (a condition called accommodative spasm) after prolonged computer work.

Both of these exercises will reduce your risk of computer eye strain. Also, remember to blink frequently during the exercises to reduce your risk of computer-related dry eye.

8. Take frequent breaks.

To reduce your risk for computer vision syndrome and neck, back and shoulder pain, take frequent breaks during your computer work day.

COMPUTER VISION NEWS

New Report on Digital Eye Strain

January 2016 — "Eye Overexposed: The Digital Device Dilemma" is The Vision Council's latest report on digital eye strain.

With our constant exposure to digital devices, the document reveals that not only young adults, but children and older folks, too, are experiencing symptoms like eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision and pain in the neck, shoulder and back.

The report is full of new statistics that may surprise you. For example, more than 30 percent of Americans 60 and older have used digital devices for two or more hours per day for more than 15 years. And nearly nine of 10 young adults use two or more devices at a time.

Those numbers are based on findings from a late 2015 survey conducted by The Vision Council among 10,329 U.S. adults. The study updates previous yearly reports released by the organization. Download the report here. — L.S.

Many workers take only two 15-minute breaks from their computer throughout their work day. According to a recent NIOSH study, discomfort and eye strain were significantly reduced when computer workers took four additional five-minute "mini-breaks" throughout their work day.

And these supplementary breaks did not reduce the workers' productivity. Data entry speed was significantly faster as a result of the extra breaks, so work output was maintained even though the workers had 20 extra minutes of break time each day.

During your computer breaks, stand up, move about and stretch your arms, legs, back, neck and shoulders to reduce tension and muscle fatigue.

Check your local bookstore or consult your fitness club for suggestions on developing a quick sequence of exercises you can perform during your breaks and after work to reduce tension in your arms, neck, shoulders and back.

9. Modify your workstation.

If you need to look back and forth between a printed page and your computer screen, this can cause eye strain. Place written pages on a copy stand adjacent to the monitor.

Light the copy stand properly. You may want to use a desk lamp, but make sure it doesn't shine into your eyes or onto your computer screen.

Improper posture during computer work also contributes to computer vision syndrome. Adjust your workstation and chair to the correct height.

Purchase ergonomic furniture to enable you to position your computer screen 20 to 24 inches from your eyes. The center of your screen should be about 10 to 15 degrees below your eyes for comfortable positioning of your head and neck.

10. Consider computer eyewear.

For the greatest comfort at your computer, you might benefit from having your eye care professional modify your eyeglasses prescription to create customized computer glasses. This is especially true if you normally wear contact lenses, which may become dry and uncomfortable during sustained computer work.

Computer glasses also are a good choice if you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, because these lenses generally are not optimal for the distance to your computer screen