1. Digital Eye Strain Steps you can take for good eye and vision health
Good _____________, I’m Dr. __________.
As an optometrist, I see a wide variety of eye conditions and diseases
every day in my practice.
Thanks to our increasing use of technology, we’re hearing more complaints
From patients experiencing what we’re calling “digital eye strain.”
From smartphones to smart TVs to phablets to tablets,
it’s clear we have become a “screen nation.”
Presented by:
Dr. [insert name here]

2. What is digital eye strain?
A temporary vision condition caused by prolonged use of electronic devices
So what is “digital eye strain?”
The good news is that it’s a temporary vision condition caused by prolonged use of technology. 3

3. What is digital eye strain?
Symptoms include:
Burning, itchy or tired eyes after using electronic devices
Headaches
Fatigue
Loss of focus
What are the typical symptoms?
For most people, it can include any or all of the following:
Burning, itchy or tired eyes after using electronic devices
Headaches
Fatigue
Loss of focus

4. Symptoms include: Blurred vision Double vision Head and neck pain
What is digital eye strain?
Symptoms include:
Blurred vision
Double vision
Head and neck pain
Other people may experience blurred vision, double vision, even head and neck pain.
As I mentioned earlier, many of these symptoms are temporary and will subside or decline once you’ve finished using your electronic device. However, some people may continue to experience problems, such as blurred distance vision, even after stopping use. If nothing is done to address the cause of the problem, the symptoms could get worse.

5. These symptoms may be caused by:
What is digital eye strain?
These symptoms may be caused by:
Poor lighting
Glare on the computer screen
Improper viewing distances
Poor seating posture
Uncorrected vision problems (farsightedness and astigmatism)
A combination of these factors
The extent to which individuals experience visual symptoms often depends on the level of their visual abilities and the amount of time spent looking at the screen.
Uncorrected vision problems like:
farsightedness (distant objects are usually seen clearly, but close ones do not come into proper focus) 
and astigmatism (A vision condition that causes blurred vision due either to the irregular shape of the cornea, the clear front cover of the eye, or sometimes the curvature of the lens inside the eye),
inadequate eye focusing or eye coordination abilities and aging changes of the eyes can all contribute to the development of visual symptoms when using a computer or digital device.

6. Digital eye strain can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam.
How is digital eye strain diagnosed?
Digital eye strain can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam.
Digital eye strain can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Your optometrist may examine the following:
Patient history to determine any symptoms the patient is experiencing and the presence of any general health problems, medications taken, or environmental factors that may be contributing to the symptoms related to computer use. Visual acuity measurements: reading charts are often used to measure visual acuity. Visual acuity measurements evaluate how clearly each eye is seeing. As part of the testing, you are asked to read letters on distance and near reading charts. A refraction: Refraction is conducted to determine the appropriate lens power needed to compensate for any refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism). Testing how the eyes focus, move and work together. In order to obtain a clear, single image of what is being viewed, the eyes must effectively change focus, move and work in unison. This testing will look for problems that keep your eyes from focusing effectively or make it difficult to use both eyes together.

7. American adults and digital device use
Digital eye strain and adults
American adults and digital device use
What adults are saying:
55%: use digital devices 5+ hours per day
57%: experience vision problems from technology use
14%: take a break from work every 20 minutes
59%: computer/laptop is most bothersome to vision
Digital Eye Strain and Technology Use in Adults
According to a study conducted by the AOA in 2014:
55 percent of adults use computers, smartphones, tablets or other hand-held devices for five or more hours per day.
More than half of adults (57 percent) say they have experienced eye strain or vision problems as a result of technology use.
Many adults are not taking adequate visual breaks from their device – only 14 percent take a break every 20 minutes as the AOA recommends.
Fifty-nine percent of adults say the device that bothers their vision the most is a desktop computer/laptop (59 percent).
However, individuals have noticed smartphones bothering their vision more this year (19 percent in 2013 vs 27 percent in 2014).

8. All electronic devices give off
Blue light and digital eye strain
All electronic devices give off
high-energy, short-wavelength, blue and violet light
These rays may affect vision and even age the eyes
May lead to AMD, which can cause blindness
Optometrists are growing increasingly concerned about blue light and how it may affect the eyes.
Today’s electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, LED monitors and even flat screen TVs, all give off high-energy, short-wavelength, blue and violet light. These rays may affect vision and even age the eyes.
Early research shows that overexposure to blue light could contribute to eye strain and discomfort and may lead to serious conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can cause blindness.

9. Digital eye strain affects kids, too…
Parents severely underestimate the time their children spend on digital devices.
83% of children: estimate using an electronic device for 3+ hours each day
Only 40% of parents: believe their kids use an electronic device 3+ hours each day
The use of technology among children both at home and in the classroom is on the rise, and a new survey shows that parents drastically underestimate the time their kids spend on digital devices.
According to an AOA survey of children between the ages of 10 and 17, 83 percent of kids say they spend three or more hours each day on digital devices.
However, only 40 percent of parents believe their children use an electronic device for that same amount of time. Most parents believe the time their kids spend using technology is far less than what it is.

10. Significant disparity:
Digital eye strain affects kids, too…
Significant disparity:
Parents more likely to overlook warning signs and symptoms
80% of children: experience burning, itchy or tired eyes after using electronic devices for long periods of time
This disparity may indicate that parents are more likely to overlook warning signs and symptoms associated with vision problems due to technology use.

11. And look at something 20 feet away.
Rule
Every 20 minutes…
Take a 20 second break…
And look at something 20 feet away.
To prevent or reduce eye and vision problems associated with digital eye strain and exposure to blue light, the AOA recommends the following:
Take frequent breaks. The AOA recommends following the rule – take a 20-second break, every 20 minutes and view something 20 feet away.

12. Check the height and position of the device
Preventing eye and vision problems
Check the height and position of the device
Check for glare on the screen
Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer screen
Keep blinking
Visit your optometrist
Check the height and position of the device. Computer screens should be four to five inches below eye level and 20 to 28 inches away from the eyes. Digital devices should be held a safe distance away from eyes and slightly below eye level.
Check for glare on the screen. Windows or other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of a computer monitor. If this happens, turn the desk or computer to prevent glare on the screen. Also consider adjusting the brightness of the screen on your digital device or changing its background color.
Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer screen. A lower-wattage light can be substituted for a bright overhead light or a dimmer switch may be installed to give flexible control of room lighting.
Keep blinking. Frequent blinking reduces the chances for developing dry eye by keeping the front surface of the eye moist.
Visit your optometrist. In some cases, individuals who don’t wear eyeglasses may benefit from glasses prescribed specifically for computer use. And, people who already wear glasses may find their current prescription doesn’t provide optimal vision for viewing a computer screen.

13. When treating a vision problem, the earlier the better.
Preventing eye and vision problems
Comprehensive eye exams: essential in identifying signs and symptoms of digital eye strain and other vision problems.
When treating a vision problem, the earlier the better.
Comprehensive eye exams by an optometrist are essential in identifying the signs and symptoms associated with digital eye strain and other vision problems.
The earlier a vision problem is detected and treated, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful.

14. Children need to have an eye exam by an optometrist:
How often should I visit the optometrist?
Children need to have an eye exam by an optometrist:
Between 6-12 months of age,
Before age 3, and
Every year thereafter and throughout adulthood.
Adults: see the optometrist yearly, unless directed to visit the doctor more frequently
Children need have an eye exam by an optometrist soon after six months of age; before age three and every year thereafter and throughout adulthood.

15. Thank you!
Questions?