Action video games aren't just child's play. A new study finds video games can help adults improve a part of eyesight called contrast sensitivity, one of the first parts of vision to be affected by aging.

According to the background information in the study, contrast sensitivity is the ability to notice even minor changes in shades of gray against a uniform background.

Contrast sensitivity is important in situations such as driving at night or in poor visibility.

It can be improved through surgery, glasses or contact lenses.

But this study suggests video games may also improve contrast sensitivity.

Daphne Bavelier and colleagues at the University of Rochester found that expert video game players who played action games had better contrast sensitivity than those who played nonaction games.

To test whether this was simply because people with better contrast sensitivity were more likely to play action games, the researchers gave the nonaction players intensive practice in action games which led to improved contrast sensitivity.

The improvements lasted for months or even years. The findings suggest that time spent in front of a computer isn't necessarily harmful, as has been suggested.

The study was published online in Nature Neuroscience. More information is available from the U.S. National Institute on Aging.

A big get well goes out to Archie Brooke, our Teague Senior Center Manager. We hope you are better soon.

Until next time, Kathy

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