My vision used to be 20/20. Like George Costanza, I could spot a nickel on the ground from across the room. I routinely mocked my college roommate, who held the alarm clock up to his face to tell time at night after removing his contact lenses.
Times have changed. For the first time in my life, my eyes have been dilated to check for retinal damage. (Fortunately, all is well.)
If, like me, you stare at a computer screen for hours on end, here’s what I learned from the good doctor: don’t. Take a break every twenty minutes or so and stare at something at least twenty feet from you. Be sure this something is not a co-worker who might report you to HR. Also, if you see jagged streaks of light at the sides of your eyes similar to lightning strikes, you might want to get to the doctor ASAP.
This public service announcement brought to you by my eyeballs, and my desire to keep my alarm clock on the bedside table, where it belongs (no offense, J).