Author Topic: A Health Warning - Please Read !  (Read 28197 times)

Offline Gadget

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A Health Warning - Please Read !
« on: Thursday 16 March 06 10:47 GMT (UK) »
I look in on this board quite often because I'm very interested in old photos and in restoration work. I'm often tempted to help but resist.

I've been doing restoration work for about 16 years or so - 15 digitally and before that in the 'old fashioned' way - professionally and as a volunteer for a local heritage group (about 600 here). However, now I can only manage my own or for very special friends.

The reason is that it's made my eyes 'funny'  :(  I've always had sight problems but now have to have hospital check-ups every year. My eyes get sore and watery and my vision goes blurry after about 30 mins. I have always had a very large monitor and shade but to no avail.

So, for all those avid restorers, please be careful. Don't spend all day at the work. Look away often. Go for a walk to change your focal length.
Sight is very very precious.

Gadget
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Offline annaandchester

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Re: A warning!
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 16 March 06 11:05 GMT (UK) »
Thank you for that Gadget - you dont know what you have got til there is something wrong with it. I know that my eyes have got worse steadily over the years but the year I got my first PC my eyes took a huge leap for the worse.

Anna x
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Offline Gadget

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Re: A warning!
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 16 March 06 11:15 GMT (UK) »
Yes Anna. It's not just photo restoration - it's all the spreadsheets, etc. that we use. We then focus about 30 - 40 cms away which is not good for any length of time.
Take care of your peepers. You do some lovely subtle tinting.
Gadget :-*
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Offline tomkin

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Re: A warning!
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 16 March 06 16:34 GMT (UK) »
Hi Gadget,
                   Very sensible advice mate. As someone who was totally
blind at 18yrs I regard my sight as one of my most precious gifts.
  In fact if I get rain on my glasses  or if they get dirty I get really
annoyed that the quality of my sight has dropped.
  Again good advice please take notice.
Tomkin


Offline Keith Bateman

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Re: A warning!
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 26 March 06 22:49 BST (UK) »
Hi Gadget,

I also think that with restoration work you seem to use the mouse or pen for a long time in a similar position.

For the past few days I have had "shoulder ache" which I am sure is due to the time I have spent restoring photos - must take a break more often - ALL of us.

Cheers

Keith
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Offline SueTeakle

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Re: A warning!
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 26 March 06 22:52 BST (UK) »
My thanks to you as well Gadget, you recently removed my creases and I`m so grateful to you  :)
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Offline kerryb

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Re: A warning!
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 26 March 06 22:53 BST (UK) »
I'd go along with the advice and add

it's not just your eyes that need regular breaks it's your mouse hand as well.

After 15 odd years using a computer at work I have a twitchy mouse finger and occasionally after prolonged use shooting pains up my wrist.  RSI, I do not want!

Take regular breaks and try to break up long periods of repetitive work by doing something else for a bit.

Kerry
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Offline Gadget

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Re: A warning!
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 26 March 06 22:58 BST (UK) »
It's also the left (graphic pen) hand Kerry and Keith ;)

I had my opthalmic clinic appointment last Friday and, because I've been following my own advice, my eyes have improved.
Not sure whether this evenings little banter will have done much good though ;)

Gadget
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Offline kerryb

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Re: A warning!
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 26 March 06 23:00 BST (UK) »
I never needed glasses for full time use until I started working with computers, now I wear lens and without them I can't see clearly beyond 6 inches!

I swear it was computer's that made the problem worse!

Kerry
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Searching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website ....