7. Computer vision syndrome
CVS is a temporary condition, but it's not much fun: it can give you blurry vision, eye strain and headaches. The US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health says that it affects 90% of people who spend more than three hours per day at a computer, and it's made worse by glare, bad lighting and poorly designed ventilation. The cure? Breaks and blinking.
8. Toasted skin syndrome
Toasted Skin Syndrome has many names, including Laptop Thigh, but its Sunday name is Erythema Ab Igne, or EAI for short. It's caused by long exposure to heat, and that heat doesn't need to be dramatic: temperatures of just 43-47 Celcius can cause the skin condition. At least 15 cases of laptop-related EAI had been reported by the end of 2012.
9. Oculus neck and Google Glass eyes
These ones don't exist yet, but we're sure they're coming. Strapping on a VR headset and wearing it for too long is going to mess with your neck and shoulder, and Google's own optometrist says that wearing Glass can be uncomfortable for some.
How to avoid tech trauma
As we've discovered, most tech injuries are the result of doing the wrong thing for too long - and the danger signs shouldn't be ignored. "Things like iPad shoulder start as an ache, which you might first think is a consequence of working too hard, or of stress," Professor Kochhar explains. "Once it sinks in that it's more of a problem than you first thought, more features are often emerging, such as pins and needles, referred pain or burning pain. These symptoms suggest that tissues are being damaged and that fragile tissues such as nerves, which don't recover so quickly, are becoming involved."
Your neck, shoulders, arms and hands shouldn't be sore, the professor says, and if any ache persists from more than a few days you should pay attention. "Warning signs include swelling, pain at rest, night pain, tingling, shooting pains down the arms, numbness and weakness." If you spot the signs, your body's trying to tell you something. Ignoring it could be a painful mistake.
- Some tech doesn't want to hurt you, it wants to help you, like the Samsung Gear Fit
