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Irritated, Dry Eyes May Be Signs That You Have Digital Eye Strain

Digital eye strain, also called computer vision syndrome, is a condition that often affects people who work or play on laptops, tablets, smartphones, e-readers, and other digital devices. Whether you use a laptop or tablet at work, or your screen time is limited to texting and playing games on your phone or TV in the evenings, you may be at risk for developing the condition.

What Are the Symptoms of Digital Eye Strain?

Digital eye strain causes a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

• Pain In Your Eyes and Eye Muscles

• Blurred Vision

• Irritated, Dry Eyes

• Trouble Concentrating

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Muscle Stiffness in Your Neck and Shoulders
   

The condition occurs in both children and adults who view digital screens. Approximately 59 percent of people who use digital devices report digital eye strain symptoms, according to The Vision Council.

What Causes Digital Eye Strain?

You may not notice a difference between reading words on a printed page versus a digital screen, but your eyes certainly do. The letters you see on your screen aren't as crisp and sharp as those you read in a book, which forces your eyes to work harder to focus. Glare, a common problem when viewing digital devices, worsens the problem, as does poor contrast.

Your position may also cause or contribute to your symptoms. If you sit too close or far away from the screen, or if you view a digital screen from an odd angle, you may be more likely to experience eyestrain after just a few hours.

Dry eye, a condition that not only causes eye irritation but can decrease the sharpness of your vision, may be a result of reduced blinking. Blinking keeps your eyes moist, washes away debris and spreads nutrients across your eye. People who work on screens blink as third as often as usual and may not close their eyes completely while blinking, reports All About Vision.

Has it been a while since you've had an eye exam? Blurry vision due to nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism can a contributing factor in digital eye strain.

What Can Be Done About Digital Eye Strain?

You'll probably need to take several steps to improve your symptoms, such as:

• Getting a New Eyeglass or Contact Lens Prescription. Updating your eyeglass or contact lens prescription will make it easier to see words and images on digital screens.

• Wearing Computer Glasses. Computer glasses provide sharp vision at 20 to 28 inches, the typical distance between your eyes and a laptop screen or desktop monitor. The glasses also reduce glare and may also protect your eyes from blue light generated by the screen.

• Improving Ergonomics. Positioning your desk and chair for optimal viewing will also help reduce digital eye strain. The American Optometric Association recommends looking downward at computer screens and notes that computer screens should be about four to five inches below eye level.

• Using a Filter. Adding a filter to your device will help decrease glare.

• Improving Lighting. Lighting should be bright enough to allow you to see the screen easily without casting too much glare. If overhead light produces too much glare, use a desk lamp instead.

• Blinking More Often. You may find that your eye comfort improves if you make an effort to blink periodically when you view digital screens.

• Following the 20-20-20 Rule. After viewing a screen for 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

• Taking Breaks. Although the 20-20-20 rule will decrease digital eye strain, it's no substitute for real breaks. After you spend two or three hours staring at a screen, step away from the device and take a 10- or 15-minute break.

• Using Eye Drops. If dry eyes continue to be a problem despite taking these steps, artificial tears or lubricating eye drops may be helpful.

• Changing Screen Brightness. Your eyes must work harder to see clearly if your screen is darker or lighter than your surroundings. Change the brightness to ensure that your screen mimics the light level of the room.
   

Do you have any of the symptoms of digital eye strain? We can help you improve your comfort. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

The Vision Council: Digital Eyestrain

American Optometric Association: Computer Vision Syndrome

BMJ Open Ophthalmology: Digital Eye Strain: Prevalence, Measurement and Amelioration, 2/28

All About Vision: Computer Eye Strain: 10 Steps for Relief

How to Protect Your Eyes at Work

Work-related eye injuries affect more than 2,000 people every day and cause temporary or permanent vision loss in 10 to 20 percent of all cases, according to Prevent Blindness. Unfortunately, injuries aren't the only eye problems you may experience on the job. In today's digital world, prolonged exposure to digital screens may also affect your eyes. Luckily, it's easy to safeguard your vision by following a few of these tips.

Use Eye Protection Every Day

Do you avoid wearing goggles or safety glasses because you find them inconvenient or uncomfortable? If you work in an environment where flying debris or chemicals could injure your eyes, you may regret your decision one day. Even a tiny speck of metal or sawdust can harm your vision or irritate your eye.

If the eye protection your company provides isn't comfortable, ask your supervisor to purchase new eyewear or buy your own. Look for goggle, glasses, and shields that:

• Completely Cover Your Eyes, Including the Sides

• Are Shatterproof

• Don't Restrict Your Vision

• Are Comfortable When Worn Over Prescription Eyeglasses

• Won't Be Damaged By Exposure to High Temperatures or Hot Liquids

• Are Easy to Clean

• Provide Ultraviolet (UV) Protection If You Will Be Welding or Performing Other Tasks That Expose You to UV Light
   

Take Frequent Screen Breaks

Dry eyes can be an issue after spending time viewing a computer, cellphone, tablet, and other digital screens. When you look at screens for long periods of time, you tend to blink less, which can cause or worsen dry eye.

Dry eye is just one of the symptoms of computer vision syndrome, a common condition in today's technology-driven world. Other symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, eyestrain, and neck and shoulder pain.

Following the 20/20 rule can help you avoid computer vision syndrome symptoms. After looking at a screen for 20 minutes, focus on an object in the distance for at least 20 seconds to reduce symptoms. Build regular breaks into your schedule if you spend the entire day working with a computer or other digital device. Artificial tears can help you keep your eyes moist and comfortable.

Changing the position of your screen may also be helpful if you experience any of the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. The American Optometric Association recommends keeping screens 15 to 20 percent below eye level for optimal comfort.

Use Computer Glasses

Computer glasses provide a simple way to reduce eyestrain, dry eye, and other computer vision syndrome symptoms. The glasses provide clear vision at a distance of 20 to 26 inches, reduce glare, and shield your eyes from the effects of potentially harmful blue light emitted by digital devices.

Try New Lenses to Reduce Sensitivity to Light

Working under fluorescent lights can be very uncomfortable if you suffer from photophobia, commonly called light sensitivity. The condition can affect anyone but often occurs in people who have light-colored irises. Photophobia can cause eyestrain, tearing, headaches, squinting, stiff neck and nausea.

If you have your own office, it's easy to prevent photophobia symptoms simply by using a desk lamp instead of the overhead lights. Unfortunately, it's hard to avoid fluorescent lights when you work in an open-plan office. Special rose-colored Fl-41 eyeglass lenses may help improve your comfort if office lights bother your eyes.

FL-41 lenses decrease light sensitivity by filtering out blue and green wavelengths of light and improving contrast. The FL-41 filters can be added to both prescription and non-prescription lenses. Wearing these special glasses may also be helpful if fluorescent lights cause migraines or seizures.

Wear Sunglasses When Working Outdoors

Sunglasses that protect against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) light are a must if you spend even a few minutes of the workday outside. Exposure to ultraviolet light can increase your risk of developing macular degeneration, cataracts, skin cancer, and corneal sunburn.

Whether you've experienced a work-related injury or vision problem or are due for a check-up, we're here to help you care for your vision. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

American Optometric Association: Computer Vision Syndrome

American Optometric Association: Protecting Your Eyes at Work

All About Vision: Computer Glasses

Prevent Blindness: Eye Safety at Work

Mayo Clinic: Dry Eyes

Migraine Buddy: FL-41: Effective Migraine Treatment or Just Hype?

One of the leading causes of vision loss in people who are age 50 or older is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This common eye condition leads to damage of a small spot near the center of the retina called the macula. The macula provides us with the ability to clearly see objects that are straight ahead.

AMD may progress very slowly, with vision loss taking a long time to occur. In some people, though, the disease may advance more quickly. It can affect one or both eyes. Some treatment options are available for later stages of AMD.

Symptoms of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

One of the first symptoms of AMD is a blurry area in the center of your field of vision. Over time, this blurred region may increase in size. You may also develop blank spots near the center of your vision. In addition, objects may not be as bright as they once were.

AMD does not lead to complete loss of vision. However, the central vision that is affected by AMD is needed for many everyday activities, such as being able to read, write, recognize faces of other people, drive a car, cook or fix things around the house.

Risk Factors for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

One of the main risk factors for AMD is being over 60 years old; although, this condition can happen in younger people. Other risk factors for AMD include:

• Smoking. Smoking tobacco can double your risk of suffering from AMD.

• Race. Caucasians are more at risk of AMD than Hispanics/Latinos or African-Americans.

• Family history. If someone else in your family had AMD, you are at greater risk of developing it.

• Genetics. Almost 20 genes have been linked to an increased risk of AMD.
   

Certain healthy lifestyle choices may slow the progression of AMD or reduce your risk of developing it, including:

• Not smoking

• Eating a well-rounded diet that includes a lot of fish and green, leafy vegetables

• Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol at normal levels

• Doing regular physical activity
   

Treatments for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

There is no treatment for AMD during the early stages. Many people have no symptoms at this point. If you have early AMD, your eye doctor may suggest a yearly — or more frequent— eye exam to see if your disease is getting worse.

For intermediate- and late-stage AMD, some research has found that high doses of certain vitamins and minerals may slow the advance of this disease. This includes vitamins C and E, zinc, copper and beta-carotene (and perhaps lutein and zeaxanthin).

These will not help you if you have early-stage AMD. They may, though, slow vision loss in the later stages. To find out if nutritional supplements are right for you, check with your ophthalmologist.

Diabetes is a condition that involves high blood sugar (glucose) levels. This can affect many parts of the body, including the eyes. One of the most common diabetic eye diseases is diabetic retinopathy, which is also a leading cause of blindness in American adults.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy includes several conditions that affect the light-sensitive layer of tissue on the back of the eye, known as the retina. This tissue is responsible for capturing light and passing on images to the brain.

There are two main types of diabetic retinopathy:

• Nonproliferative retinopathy. This is the most common type. In this condition, the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) at the back of the eye swell and form pouches. As this condition gets worse, it can starve the retina of its blood supply.

• Proliferative retinopathy. When the retina doesn’t get enough blood, new blood vessels grow. These tend to be weak and can leak blood, which can cause vision loss or blindness.
   

Diabetic retinopathy can also cause vision loss when fluid leaks into the macula, the part of the retina that is responsible for the sharp, central vision. The leakage of fluid can lead to swelling of the macula (macula edema) and blurred central vision.

Glaucoma

Diabetics have a higher risk of developing glaucoma than people without diabetes. This risk increases with age and the length of time that you’ve had diabetes.

Glaucoma causes pressure to build up inside the eye, often because the fluid in the eye drains more slowly. The increased pressure can squeeze the tiny blood vessels that feed the optic nerve and retina. Over time, this can damage these structures and lead to loss of vision.

Cataracts

Cataracts are another condition that affects diabetics more often than non-diabetics. In this condition, the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, which prevents some of the light from reaching the retina.

In its early stages, treatment for cataracts may involve the use of prescription lenses. As cataracts advance, however, surgery may become necessary to remove the cataractous lens, replace it with an intraocular lens implant (IOL) and restore vision.

If you suffer from diabetes, it is particularly important to keep all your yearly eye exams, so your eye doctor can monitor the health of your eyes. If you notice changes in your vision, contact us immediately, so we can help diagnose and treat any eye conditions you may have.

The only way to correct the clouded vision caused by advanced cataracts is surgical intervention. If you find yourself pursuing cataract surgery to remove one or both cataract-disease lenses, you may be wondering what surgical approaches are available for treatment.

Although eye surgeons have successfully removed cataracts using manual surgical techniques for decades, new laser techniques give them more control over this delicate procedure.

The Laser Procedure

Both traditional and laser cataract surgery involve removing the natural cataractous lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. The traditional approach involves making a tiny incision in the eye with a manual surgical device. In laser cataract surgery, a femtosecond laser is used to make the incision instead. The ophthalmologist also uses a laser to break up the cataract-diseased lens before removing it, instead of using ultrasonic energy to perform this step. By replacing the manual steps in the procedure with the use of a laser, the ophthalmologist is able to provide an added level of precision during treatment and minimize any risks associated with the manual actions.

Laser Precision

While human eyes are similar, each is slightly different in terms of depth, size and the curve of the cornea. Laser surgery techniques take advantage of advanced technology to precisely map your eyes. This information is then used to calibrate the laser used during some surgical procedures, allowing extremely precise treatment.

Faster Recovery

The laser’s precision speeds up both the surgery and the recovery time. Because the eye is less disturbed by the laser than with a mechanical blade, it may heal faster.

Results

Laser cataract surgery is still new, and study results have varied. Some studies have found the results to be comparable to traditional cataract surgery. Others conclude the superiority of the laser. A study published in a 2014 issue of Optometry Times found that the vision of the group treated with lasers was overwhelmingly better. The endothelial cell count on the cornea was also healthier after laser versus traditional cataract surgery.

One drawback: The cost of laser cataract surgery is higher than the standard procedure. Talk to your insurance company to find out about your coverage level.

If you need cataract surgery and want to explore your treatment options, call us today so we can help.

Vision therapy, also referred to as vision training, neuro-vision therapy, or vision rehabilitation, is an optometry subspecialty. Vision therapy is prescribed to develop, improve and/or enhance visual function so an individual’s vision system functions more smoothly. Vision therapy can be beneficial for individuals of all ages. The goal of treatment is to help ameliorate vision problems and improve a patient’s quality of life by maximizing vision performance and comfort.
 

How Vision Therapy Works

In order to understand how vision therapy can improve your vision, it is important to understand exactly how the brain creates an image. At the most basic level, a nerve cell sends and receives electrical signals from sensory neurons. This input and output is used to process visual images. Throughout their life, neural networks continually reinforce themselves in response to new experiences. Body-mind interaction is an important part of this learning process. While the quantity of neurons does not increase, new connections between these neurons can be built at any age. The more frequently a pathway is stimulated, the stronger the pathway becomes and the faster the transmission along this pathway will be. The goal of vision therapy is to reinforce and strengthen these new pathways.

There are several similarities between occupational therapy and vision therapy, especially when it comes to improving hand-eye coordination and visual motor integration. However, vision therapists have completed more in-depth training in the field of visual motor integration, as well as the use of lenses, prisms, and filters.
 

Who Benefits from Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy is especially beneficial for individuals with ocular motor dysfunctions, binocular dysfunctions, accommodative dysfunctions, visual motor and visual perception disorders, learning-related vision problems, traumatic brain injuries, myopia control, amblyopia, and strabismus. Vision therapy may also be prescribed for patients seeking sports vision enhancement.

Vision therapy is customized to meet the needs of an individual. For example, if you are seeking sports performance enhancement, you will receive therapy designed to improve visual processing speeds, reaction times, visual endurance, accuracy, and eye teaming. Individuals with vision-related learning difficulties will receive therapy that focuses specifically on improving the visual input skills and visual processing skills required for efficient reading, writing, spelling and mathematics.

Depending on a patient’s needs, vision therapy may last anywhere between six weeks to one year. Most problems can be improved with bi-weekly sessions over two to three months, as determined by an eye care professional.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, means that your eyes can see close objects clearly but struggle to see things in the distance. Nearly 30 percent of Americans are nearsighted.

This condition usually develops in children and teenagers, up to about the age of 20. A teacher or parent might notice a child squinting at the chalkboard or TV. Other common symptoms include headaches, frequent blinking and rubbing of the eyes and failing to notice distant objects.

Causes

If the curvature of your cornea — the clear part on the front of your eye — is too steep, you will be nearsighted. Myopia can also be caused by an eyeball that is too long, relative to the lens’ and cornea’s focusing power. Light entering your eye will not be correctly focused, causing things in the distance to look blurry.

However, what causes these defects is still under debate. Heredity and visual stress are leading contenders. If both parents are nearsighted, the child is at higher risk. Examples of visual stress include excessive reading, computer use or other tasks that demand the eyes to focus on close objects. Note: Myopia due to close work is sometimes temporary.

Eye problems can also be symptoms of other disorders, such as diabetes or a cataract developing in the eye.

Testing and Diagnosis

Eye doctors test patients’ vision by having them read letters on a Snellen chart that is placed about 20 feet away from the patient. Your doctor may also use lighted instruments to determine the focusing power of your eyes. Sometimes, eye doctors use eye drops to dilate the eyes. This temporarily prevents the eyes from changing focus, so he or she can examine them more easily.

Once your eye doctor finishes the test, he or she can determine whether you have myopia. If you suffer from myopia, you and your eye doctor will discuss possible treatment options.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

Eyeglasses are the most commonly prescribed and least invasive method of treating myopia. Depending on how nearsighted you are, you might need to wear glasses some or all of the time. If you also have trouble seeing things close-up, your eye doctor might prescribe bifocals. These let you see both far and close objects more clearly, and are popular with patients over the age of 40.

Contact lenses can provide a wider field of vision and may let you see more clearly. However, because they are worn directly on the eye, they need extra care and cleaning. Contact lenses are not recommended for those who are squeamish about touching their eyes.

Orthokeratology, also called corneal refractive therapy, involves wearing rigid contact lenses that reshape your cornea’s curvature. This therapy changes how light enters your eyes, eventually making your eyes focus correctly. The results from orthokeratology are temporary, and patients must continue to use these specialized contact lenses to maintain results.

Surgical Treatment Options

Laser procedures such as photorefractive keratectomy and LASIK have become more prevalent over the last few decades. With laser vision correction surgery, the ophthalmologist uses laser energy to remove a small amount of corneal tissue, thus reshaping the curvature of the cornea and correcting the refractive error that is causing myopia.

Highly nearsighted people may be better suited for another type of refractive surgery, including refractive lens exchange (RLE). The ophthalmologist implants a corrective lens directly into the eye. This lens is placed either right in front of the eye’s natural lens or it replaces the natural lens entirely.

Many treatments are available to myopic patients. Call our practice today, so we can help you decide which one is best for your visual needs and lifestyle practices.

This skin disorder, also called erythema multiforme major, sometimes causes painful lesions on the eyelids. Stevens-Johnson syndrome can cause painful corneal blisters and even holes, leading to vision loss.

This syndrome most commonly affects women between 30 and 50 years old. Symptoms include changes to the iris, corneal swelling and the onset of glaucoma.

If your vision is blurred due to cataracts and you are pursuing surgical intervention to correct the problem, you are likely considering which intraocular lens (IOL) to choose, to restore your vision after cataract surgery. There are a variety of IOL options to choose from. Your ophthalmologist can help you decide which is appropriate for you and your lifestyle.

Materials

IOLs used to be made of rigid plastic. Now, softer, foldable silicone and acrylic IOLs allow the eye surgeon to roll up an IOL and insert it through a smaller incision. Once inserted, the IOL opens up to full size. Many IOLs now include built-in protection from damaging ultraviolet rays.

Monofocal IOLs

The most popular type, monofocal IOLs allow eyes to focus at a single distance. This could be far, near or in between. Your most important activities dictate which distance you should choose. Readers and crafters might opt for clear near vision and wear glasses for distance vision. People who drive a lot or prefer TV to books can get an IOL for distance vision and wear glasses for close-up activities. If you spend a lot of time at the computer, you can choose the intermediate IOL, which focuses best at a distance of 18 to 36 inches. Most people get IOLs equipped for distance vision.

Monovision

If you are getting cataract surgery in both eyes, you could choose monovision. With monovision, your ophthalmologist places an IOL in one eye that allows you see well close up while placing an IOL in the other eye that allows you to see objects in the distance. Over time, your eyes should adjust to monovision, allowing you see well at both distances. However, not everybody adjusts well to monovision, which compromises depth perception. If you’re considering this strategy, discuss it with your ophthalmologist. Your eye doctor can usually let you test out monovision using contact lenses in the office before your procedure.

Accommodating IOLs

Accommodating IOLs move, or flex, with the eye’s natural muscle movement, often allowing the patient to see well at multiple distances, instead of at a single distance as with monofocal lenses.

Multifocal Lenses

Many people who get multifocal IOLs no longer need glasses for distance or close vision. This type of IOL is like bifocal eyeglasses, but it allows patients to see well at more than just two distances. Different areas of the IOL have different focusing power. However, some patients experience problems with night vision, glare and halos after getting multifocal IOLs.

Let us help you navigate the exciting but sometimes overwhelming world of IOLs. Call us today and we’ll work together to help you achieve your best possible vision.