Questions about the eyes and going blind.

[Eli229]

Hello my name is Elijah and Im 20 years old. I have a couple of questions about going blind. I heard from other people that even if your healthy and your eyes are healthy and there is nothing wrong with your eyes you can still go blind at anytime is that true? My next question is  if a person is going blind is it possible that the person could of avoid being blind or it\'s impossible for the person to avoid being blind? Is it true that opticians cannot examine or test your eyes? Is it true that if you look at the sun here in there you can go blind? I also heard that even looking at the sunset you can go blind is that true? I wear contacts and people told me that If my contacts are not on my eyes properly then I can damage my cornea is that true? Is it true that it is recommended that people have an eye test every two years? I make music on my computer so I work on it like 8 to 10 hours a day and sometimes when Im in my room or my living room where there
is alot of light and its bright like Everything starts to get dim as in it gets a little darker around me. People are telling me that it\'s a sign of vision loss is that true? And my last question is another website said to Protect your eyesight and prevent any problems arising in the future and they said to Take regular screen breaks: If you use a computer, take frequent breaks from your screen - at least one an hour. Resting your eyes can avoid headaches, eyestrain, soreness and double vision. Is this true? And if so then how long should I take a break from my computer untill it's safe for me to get back on the computer? Please help me. Thank you. Elijah Hanna

[sarabax11]

if you're really close to the fire on the candles , can your eyes be damaged or even go blind?( but your eyes didn't touch the fire, but it was just really close to the fire) can u help me please. thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sarabax11]

if you're really close to the fire on the candles , can your eyes be damaged or even go blind?( but your eyes didn't touch the fire, but it was just really close to the fire) can u help me please. thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear Eli229,

I would recommend that you seek the care of an eyeMD to assist in answering your questions specifically as they related to your eyes.  You alluded to your eyes getting dim, and this warrants an eye examination.  Looking directly into sunlight can cause damage to the area responsible for central vision.  With respect to computer work, it is important to take frequent breaks by looking around  the room and focusing on a distant object.  

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I think it is a great idea to get a complete eye exam with an ophthalmologist at least every 2 years.  You should also take frequent breaks (like every 15 minutes or so) for about 30 seconds when using the computer.  Yes, you can suffer permanant vision loss from sun gazing - but perhaps not total blindness unless it were an unbelievable extreme situation.  You are working too many hours on the computer right now and need to find a way to limit it a little or take more breaks.  You may need to use artificial tears a lot and make sure you are evaluated by an ophthalmolgist to fully evaluate your present symptoms which are quite likely related to excessive computer work.

MJK MD