Squinting while looking at a computer screen is not only uncomfortable, it can lead to dry eye, according to Ohio State University researchers.

That's because squinting causes people to blink less often, and the study found that the less you blinked, the moreyou experience aches, burning and sensations of dryness, irritation and tearing in your eyes.

In fact, squinting evencut your blink rates in half -- from 15 blinks a minute to 7.5 blinks a minute.

Only Four Blinks Per Minute

The study involved 10 college students with 20/20 vision, who were asked to squint at different levels while looking at a computer screen.

During a series of five trials, the participants relaxed their eyes and squinted in increments from 5 percent (barely squinting) to 50 percent (eyes half-shut). Researchers then watched videotapes of the students and counted how often each blinked their eyes. They found:

• When squinting at just 5 percent, blink rates decreased from an average of 15 blinks per minute to 7.5.
• At the 50 percent level, blink rates decreased to four blinks per minute.

Why DoYou Squint?

Squinting not only helpsyou to clearly define out-of-focus objects, thereby improving your eyesight temporarily, but it also helps you to reduce glare. While you may squint intentionally, it's also possible to squint involuntarily, without even realizing you're doing it.

Because of this, those whose jobs require a lot of reading or other visual work may be blinking less than normal, which willresult in eyestrain,dry eye,and presbyopia or the need for reading glasses as you age. Optometry and Vision Science October 2005; 82(10):905-11Science Daily November 29, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

This study really hits home for me as I typically spend a minimum of ten hours a day in front of my screen and many days I spend more than 16 hours in front of my monitor.

Now I am healthier than nearly everyone I know but this eventually took its toll on my eyesight and I progressively found myself having to struggle with the embarrassment of needing reading glasses in public.

This motivated me to pursue a course in finding out how I could use natural methods to help me recover my vision. After several years of intense research I was able to learn visual habits that have helped me recover virtually all of my near vision and I rarely need reading glasses anymore.

As we near the end of 2005 and reflect on what we are grateful for I can assure you that recovering my eyesight without having to use embarrassing glasses in public was one of my best gifts in 2005.

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One of the Key Eyesight Recovery Secrets

The major secret I learned is that, as the study illustrates is that I was squinting. Nearly all of us wind up acquiring this visually destructive habit over time as it does help initially but eventually it will cause you to lose your near eyesight and much of your associated cognitive strengths.

So the key secret here is you simply can not squint. You MUST relax and consciously override your mostly tendency to squint while at your computer. You simply must notice when you are squinting and stop it immediately. It is one of the most important visual habits you can have.

LASIK Surgery is NOT the Answer

Even I was tempted to try this route, but I knew that surgery is rarely the answer to chronic health conditions so I avoided this and I am SO GLAD I did as there is overwhelming evidence that LASIK surgery is not your best choice.

Not only will it cost you up to a few thousand dollars out of your pocket, but more importantly, over time it is virtually guaranteed to fail as it in no way shape or form addresses the underlying cause of the problem.

For the last five weeks I have been cohosting the Natural Eyesight Habits Teleclinic in which we share all of the "secrets" of how to recover your eyesight, and not just near vision loss (presbyopia) but also the myopia and astigmatism that requires most people to purchase glasses or contacts.

We have had been bombarded with many of what I am calling "Obliteration Reports" in which course participants describe how they have been able to use the secrets from the Natural Eyesight Habits tele clinic and obliterate the real cause of their visual loss and regain their normal vision. Here are a couple of the many we have received:

Obliteration Report 1: "I went to an eye doctor for my reduced prescription lenses after the second class. She said that my prescription went down from -3.0 to -1.25. I am now using a -1.0 for my 20/40 vision."

Obliteration Report 2: "I LOVED the class ... It was marvelous and I already see better! Thanks!" -- Joan Golston, DCSW, LICSW

Although there are only two more weeks left on the live course all the previous sessions are available on audio files. After two weeks we will only be selling the course in recorded format but the price will increase by another 25%. So, you can save 25 percent off the regular price by registering now, and you'll learn how to stop squinting and start seeing more clearly, once and for all.

About the author:

This article is reprinted from Mercola.com, the world's #1 most visited and trusted natural/alternative health website. For a limited time only, you can take the FREE "Metabolic Type Test" to help you learn the right foods for your particular body type so you can achieve optimal fitness & health. Just go to http://www.mercola.com/forms/mt_test.htm right now to take this quick test!