Too long on the torch?

Dr Bill · #1 2013-01-10, 4:08pm

bye

allicat · #2 2013-01-10, 4:40pm

When was the last time you had your eyes examined?

And 10 hours is a long time to be doing ANYTHING! How often do you take breaks? Maybe doing things during the breaks which require mid to long distance vision might help? You're asking an awful lot of your near vision; I wonder if your eye muscles are having a hard time moving out of a near vision position due to the length of time they are being asked to stay that way?

Just some thoughts/ideas,
Alli

flame n fuse · #3 2013-01-10, 4:40pm

Would you work on a computer this long without taking a break? Consider the H&S advice that computer users are given - take frequent breaks, rest your eyes by focussing on different distances, remember to blink, & check your posture and lighting! (& remember eyes do change as you get older)

AKDesigns · #4 2013-01-10, 6:01pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Bill

I am using my Phillips Didymium 202 with COE 104 and adding flip down shade 3 over the didymium glasses so they can be worn over my glasses.

You're using 202's and shade 3 together for 104 coe?

losthelm · #5 2013-01-10, 6:18pm

Have you cleaned your glasses lately?
Besides taking a few breaks and letting your eye rest a bit talk with your opthomologist.

glassactcc · #6 2013-01-10, 6:19pm

You need a Doctor

. No matter what glasses I was wearing, there would be no way I could torch for that long. My eyes would surly give out and I have no issues with my eyes. I think they would pop out of my head.

Dr Bill · #7 2013-01-10, 6:40pm

bye

AKDesigns · #8 2013-01-10, 6:55pm

No, I wouldn't wear both.

I thought maybe you were. I can only tolerate about 4 hours on the torch with at least one 20 minute break. Mostly it's my back that can't handle it. However, before I got my new glasses, I did have eye issues due to the brightness of the silver glass I use. Those issues are gone now. 10 hours is a long time at the torch. At least take a nice break every couple of hours.

glassymom · #9 2013-01-10, 9:30pm

I torch 2-3 hours and my eyes get tired. I'm 48 and have to now wear prescription glasses for fine stuff but wear magnifiers at the torch. I try to take a little break in between every 2 or 3 beads, have a drink, stand up, look around..... I can't imagine what my eyeballs would feel like after 10 hours..........thats if I had any left LOL

Dragonharper · #10 2013-01-11, 5:24am

For me torching is about the same as working. I'm a programmer so I've got my nose stuck in a monitor all day. I do take a quick break every 30-45 minutes, mostly for my back and legs. Get up go to the bathroom, refill the coffee or get a drink of water. I do the same at work only the quick breaks are about an hour apart. I recently purchased an Ott light, will use it tomorrow when I torch to see if it makes a difference.

MistyCherie · #11 2013-01-11, 6:00am

I agree with others that you should be resting/taking a break every so often. I also maybe would suggest eye drops? I found that torching a lot would dry my face/eyes out quite a bit, and not sure if that could also be part of the problem. Lastly, I put a black (spray painted with engine paint) fireproof backer board behind my torch area which really helped me see what I was doing, but also helped it from seeming so bright all over the place. (Added contrast to field of vision.)

Nolly · #12 2013-01-11, 6:28am

I wear bifocals, so I get a separate pair with just my reading prescription for the torch. If you don't have astigmatism, readers from the drug store would work as well and would be a low-cost way to figure out if that's your problem. I think it is, but I'm a beadmaker, not an optometrist.

I work long hours at the torch, too. My set up is comfortable, so I don't have to move because of aches, but getting a drink or fooling with the dog breaks up my sessions so that I do rest my eyes by focusing on different distances.

Playing games on the cell phone wrecks gives me the same focusing problem--even more reason not to waste that time!

Good luck,

Nolly

RSimmons · #13 2013-01-11, 6:31am

I strongly second the suggestion on eyedrops. You eyes will dry out, contributing to your problems. You are also likely suffering from a certain amount of eye fatigue/strain. You should stop and refocus at different distances several times during your day. You won't lose that much work and your eyes will thank you for it.

Robert

Dr Bill · #14 2013-01-11, 6:49am

bye

Anne Londez · #15 2013-01-11, 7:02am

I too was going to say that you probably need both to refocus your eyes on something farther away from time to time (just glance at the wall or something every few minutes) and hydrate. I know when I concentrate I forget to blink so my eyes get both tired and dehydrated.

Master Yoda · #16 2013-01-11, 8:26am

either 3/5 splits or 5's and strong lighting in the studio. it's a touchy subject so ill let you do your own research, but the quality of glasses from one manufacturer to another makes a huge difference.

losthelm · #17 2013-01-11, 9:18am

Depending on the distance the cling lenses may help, they are easily used like reader on the inside of your shades. I think the strongest is a +2.5

Rubiee · #18 2013-01-11, 9:46am

Take breaks, and visit your eye doc if you feel like its your vision and not the length of time straining you.
As for drops, my boss (an optometrist) always suggests you go to your eye doctor even for stuff like eye drops, they really do know everything about eyes

dusty · #19 2013-01-11, 12:45pm

I'll be the third person to mention good lighting.

Elizabeth Beads · #20 2013-01-11, 1:17pm

Try the 20 20 20 rule. Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Lyssa · #21 2013-01-11, 4:40pm

Can it be farther than 20 feet?

I have nothing to focus on indoors that's farther than 20 feet, and everything to focus on out the window is 40+ feet away. But that's just me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Beads

Try the 20 20 20 rule. Every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

wolflo · #22 2013-01-11, 5:48pm

You've been given some excellent advice....I can't torch long either...my eyes are dry and then after I put everything away...it's takes a while for my "normal" vision to return...it 's called...Accommodation..google it out......as we got older, takes longer...*he, he* TAKE SOME LONG BREAKS..... That is a humongous time to torch...Gee
Even for a person so driven....Your eyes come first....Let us know how you are doing. Lo.

allicat · #23 2013-01-11, 6:11pm

Yes Aimee. What you want is a minimum of 20 feet away; you're looking to use your eye muscles for distance and give them a break from close work.

HTH
Alli

GlassPuppy · #24 2013-01-12, 1:38am

My eye doctor recommended Refresh Plus eye drops by Allergan. They are just saline solution with no preservatives. Great stuff for dry eyes.

Also, be sure you are staying hydrated while at the torch, drinking from a covered container.

And, magnifiers sure do help! (I'm 66!)

PerfectDeb · #25 2013-01-12, 3:18am

Jeez my back would go out before my eyes!

JetAge Studio · #26 2013-01-13, 8:46pm

Make sure you're getting some fresh air in there as well as some breaks. Ventilation is just as important for your working environment!!

FWIW, My eyes get tweaky after a couple hours worth of work, know your limits....don't suffer!!

Your regular didy's should be just fine for soft glass work... we all get eye strain and stress after awhile at the torch....again, just know your own limits and take breaks...slow down Turbo!

JetAge Studio · #27 2013-01-13, 8:57pm

.....and I should say...welcome to your new addiction!!!

Glass is so wonderful!

deb tarry · #28 2013-01-15, 11:22am

My eyes do the same thing after torching for a long time and eye drops really help. I use something called natural tears as my eyes dry out especially in the dry winter conditions here in the Shuswap. I don't take enough breaks but I think I will set timer on my phone and force myself to.

Ravenesque · #29 2013-01-16, 2:43am

That's just insane, don't sit that long :O it's not good for you at all!

Take care of yourself!!

beadinthelightglass · #30 2013-01-16, 8:02am

I have really dry eyes which messes up my vision. The heat of the torch intensifies this. I have to use rewetting drops and remember to take breaks and drink a lot of water. Hope this is helpful and it is nothing more than needing to rest them and lubricate them more often.