Fans risk vision watching late games

• Source: Global Times
• [10:10 June 23 2010]
• Comments

Soccer fans watch a live broadcast of the World Cup opening ceremony on an outdoor screen in Pudong New Area. Photo: IC

By Zhang Cao

The 2010 FIFA World Cup has caused a spike in the number of people visiting hospital with eye complaints as a result of watching too much TV overnight.

"The number of patients visiting our clinic has increased by around 15 percent in the last few weeks," said Yan Shoujian, director of the Ophthalmology Department of Shanghai Husheng Ear, Eye, Nose, Throat and Stomatology Hospital.

Yan said that one patient had suffered retinal detachment after staying up late seven nights in a row to watch the tournament, and then going to work in front of a computer after only five hours of sleep. The patient required surgery, and has since recovered. "He was very nearsighted, so for him, eye fatigue was more likely to cause retinal detachment," Yan said.

He added that people should pay more attention to their eye health, especially young students for whom the summer holiday has just started, and nearsighted people who may be more susceptible to eye complaints.

Shanghai Mingtan Ophthalmology Hospital has been receiving around three to four soccer fans suffering from eye problems per day, according to a doctor at the hospital surnamed Hu. "Most of those admitted have been in their twenties," Hu said.

She added that the problems have included conjunctivitis, eye dryness and inflammation, all of which can be easily cured if medical attention is sought promptly.

Doctors at the Shanghai Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University said that they have been warning patients who have undergone laser eye surgery to avoid watching too many World Cup games on TV. "People who have had laser eye surgery are more prone to eye dryness or more serious diseases," said Zhou Xingtao, an eye doctor at the hospital.

"People who use computers heavily need to rest their eyes at night," said Yu Qing, an ophthalmologist at the Ruishi Ophthalmonogy Department of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital. "Soccer fans who do stay up late should apply warm towels, use eye drops and take regular breaks to alleviate eye fatigue."