With all the buzz about electronic devices and modern technology giving us brand new medical conditions such as iPod ear and Blackberry thumb, it seems only natural that video games are also likely to be detrimental to our health but this isn’t true…at least when considering the eyesight of adults.
A research study out of the University of Rochester has found that people who spend countless hours in front of a computer screen or play action-packed video games can actually improve a part of their vision which is responsible for contrast sensitivity. This happens to be one of the first aspects of our eyesight that is affected by aging and is a crucial component in situations such as driving at night or in poor visibility. By simply having volunteers engage in some shoot-em-up, rock em sock em video games, the scientists were able to demonstrate an improvement in contrast sensitivity that lasted for many months after their play time. So, next time the kids want to hang out at the video arcade, ask them to take Grandma along…
Poster Comment:
WiseQuacks: Sundays on Canada's Corus radio network.