Video and Computer games have taken the world by storm. Studies in 2006 reveal that kids and other gamers play for at least 5-10 hours a week and sometimes much longer. Sales of games indicate their popularity. Flash graphics, rapid-fire movements, and long hours at the console result in health problems like muscle and eye strain. Common ailments resulting from gaming are: lateral epicondylitis, tendonitis, bursitis, and carpel tunnel syndrome among others.

Health professionals recommend that gamers must take a break every 40 minutes to an hour. They must get up from the computer or gaming console and stretch their limbs, walk around a bit, and look at objects at a great distance.

Crucial to healthy gaming is posture while playing the chair must be comfortable, have back support, and the feet must rest on the floor. Gamers can prevent damage like eye irritation, headaches, dry eyes, pain, change in prescription numbers, squinting, difficulties in focusing, and frequent blinking by:

1. Sit facing the screen directly; ensure that the screen is not at an angle. This will stimulate both eyes equally.
   
2. Once every 15-30 minutes it is important that gamers look away from the screen and shift eye focus to objects at a distance. It could be trees or the sky or children playing. Change the eye focus to distant objects.
   
3. Sit at a reasonable distance from the screen. If the game is played on a television screen then sit at least 6 feet away. When playing on a computer the screen ideally should be 20-26 inches from your eyes.
   
4. Use the settings on the screen to reduce the glare to a comfortable level. Install an anti-glare filter.
   
5. Once in a while it is important to look away from the screen and blink your eyes to lubricate it.
   
6. Ask your eye doctor to prescribe artificial tears that will moisten your eyes.
   
7. At least 6-8 times a day, rub the palms of your hands together and press then on your eyes and hold for a few minutes. The warmth of your palms will relax the eye muscles.
   
8. Greenery soothes eyes, so glance as often as you can at green trees, bushes, or plants.
   
9. Do simple eye strengthening exercises as taught by yoga and other systems of healing. The exercises are easy and can be done at anytime. Rolling your eyes, focusing on your nose and then the area between your eyebrows, shifting the eye ball from left to right are all easy exercises.
   
10. Get a qualified eye doctor to check your vision and find out whether you need “computer glasses.” If you use contact lenses it is best you take them off whilst gaming and use glasses instead.