I came across an interesting article appearing in the latest issue of Psychological Science on my flight back to Columbus that details a research study done at the University of Rochester.

Researchers there report that playing action video games, specifically first-person, an hour daily sharpens visual acuity. Slower, puzzle-style games, such as Tetris, showed no effect. Although video games don't have any effect on the size, shape, and thickness of the eye, all which influence "normal" vision, researchers feel that video games can substantially increase spatial resolution of their vision - the ability to see small, closely packed letters on eye charts. Video games may also be useful for patients suffering from amblyopia, or "lazy eye."

On the flip side, staring at a bright screen for long times can strain the eyes and disrupt one's biological clock.