Studying Online;Succeeding through Distance Learning at University

Online well-being 215 
reducing eyestrain. Research shows that the use of these glasses 
can help (Blehm et al., 2005). Another way you can help is by the 
use of lubricating eye drops or sprays. Again, you can buy these 
over the counter in many supermarkets or online. By using these 
drops or eyelid sprays several times a day, you can reduce the 
amount of dry eye, which appears to be fundamental to the pro-
duction of CVS. 
QUICK TIP: If you wear spectacles or contact lenses, tell your 
optometrist that you will study online and use your computer 
for several hours a day.The optician may be able to provide you 
with a new prescription that will help reduce the chances of CVS. 
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GET PLENTY OF QUALITY SLEEP 
One of the problems with computer screens is that they transmit 
“blue light”. Tis can have an impact on your eyes, by making them 
dryer, for example. Hence, problems such as CVS can be made 
worse because of the technology pushing out blue light towards 
your eyes. However, one of the main problems with the blue light 
that is emitted from computer screens is that it can cause your 
body clock to “misfre”. Te result is that your brain isn’t quite sure 
when you should be sleeping. Too much blue light can disrupt 
your sleeping pattern. As an online student sitting in front of com-
puters each day, you will get a considerable amount of blue light. 
So, there is a real risk of sleep disturbance when you study online. 
Students have traditionally had some difculties with sleep. It’s 
not uncommon for students to get home in the middle of the 
night after being out with friends. Nor is it unusual for students 
to complain about lectures at 9:00 am since many of them are not 
even out of bed at that time of the morning. Disrupted sleep seems 
to go with the territory. Students appear to accept that abnormal 
sleep patterns are what is required to be a student. Tere’s a view 
that you are not a proper student if you are not staying up late or 
hiding under the duvet until lunchtime. However, irregular sleep 

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