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Here’s some evidence that video games may be good for you after all.

People who played 50 hours of action video games showed significant improvement in contrast sensitivity function, a key aspect of vision, according to a study published online in Nature Neuroscience.

Contrast sensitivity function refers to the ability to detect small differences in shades of gray, and it is one of the most vulnerable elements of vision. Scientists believe it is affected by deterioration of the eye itself.

But a team of researchers from University of Rochester and Tel Aviv University suspected that changes in the brain played a role as well. If so, they reasoned, mental exercise could offer some improvement…Those who played the Sims improved, but not as much as those who played the action games, according to the study. The benefits lasted for months and even years.

“The very act of action video game playing also enhanced contrast sensitivity,” the authors wrote. “More generally, our results establish that time spent in front of a computer screen is not necessarily detrimental to vision.”

Tell your boss to sponsor “eye health” by allowing video game time.




  1. Marc Perkel says:

    I’ve said for years that playing video games probably increases you reflexes and makes you a better driver. I’ve yet to see someone study that though.

  2. soundwash says:

    i feel video games increase your “frame rate”
    (attention to detail/finer detail) and ability to think in 3D (spatial reasoning)

    as for driving, i find flight sims greatly increase your ability to map where you are in “the matrix”

    -not to mention they are great way to decompress
    any anxiety that daily life may build.

    -s

  3. Sea Lawyer says:

    But on the other hand, spending hours with your eyes focused on a screen two feet from your face isn’t good at all. My eyes get sore half way through the work day.

  4. BubbaRay says:

    as for driving, i find flight sims greatly increase your ability to map where you are in “the matrix”

    They can help you learn spatial awareness which is very important when driving in high speed traffic.

  5. Kanjy says:

    Having the ability to distinguish between different shades of gray is sometimes important in video games themselves. In a platform game, for example, a secret “invisible” floating platform might be a slightly lighter shade of gray than the background. So, being able to distinguish shades of gray can actually save your life.

  6. The0ne says:

    So you’re more alert but your eyes are actually worse off from the long period of staring into the LCD, or worst monitor. Not a good trade imo.

  7. mcteapot says:

    some one should spend time studying the effects of 420 and playing video games. I bet it cures cancer and makes u live longer!

  8. James Hill says:

    I’ll take a guess that video games and chronic masturbation balances out the vision equation for most gamers.


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