US Pharm. 2008;33(3):99. 


Studying hard may not damage your brain, but it could do serious damage to your back, neck, and eyes. According to a study conducted by the polling company Zogby International on behalf of CafeScribe.com, a Web site that promotes electronic textbooks, 80% of students say they sustained some form of injury from buying, reading, carrying, or using a textbook. The most common injury was neck pain/strain (53%), followed by back pain (39%), and eye strain (47%).

According to sources at CafeScribe.com, concerns about back injuries stemming from heavy backpacks has prompted legislators in New York, New Jersey, California, and Wisconsin to seek legal limits on the weight of books students are required to carry to and from school.

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