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The Digital EyeStrain Explosion

KRIS KERESTAN GARBIG, O.D.KRISGARBIG@FUSE.NET

The Vision Council 2015 Report

Compared Digital Device use from 2012-2014

u Adult Smart Phone usageØ 45% in 2012Ø 69% 2014Ø 85% 2016

u Tablet/E-reader usageØ 26% in 2012Ø 42.5% in 2014

Digital Device usage

q 30% of all adults are High users spending 9+ hrs/day

q 61% use 5+ hrs/day

q 93% use at least 2 hrs/day

Digital Device Sources

q 77% TVq 69% Smart Phone q 58% Laptopq 52% Desktopq 43% Tablet/e-readerq 17% Video game console

Very often using ALL at once

Activities using Digital Devices

q 38% “Alarm clock”

q 44% Workq 43% Recreational Reading

q 26% Meal Preparation/Recipesq 32% Travel/Flight/Ticketing q Operate appliances, garage doors, lights, etc.q Unlimited Apps

Digital Device Impact

Gen. Z (Born between 1997-2012)

q Born using technology before walking q Continually “Connected”…

Snap chat, Instagram, Twitter, FB, others???

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AOA's 2014 American Eye-Q Survey

q Kids connected longer than parents think

u 83% use electronic devices 3+ hrs./dayØ Only 40% of parents realize

u 42% report 5+ hrs./dayØ Only 10% of parents realize

Risks of Digital Device Usage in Children

u Increased MyopiaØ Prolonged Near range activitiesØ Decreased exposure to Natural Outdoor light *

u Long term Blue Light exposureØ High Energy visible UV penetrates deeper into the eyeØ Macular DegenerationØ Cataracts

q Between 75-90% of ALL Learning is Visual!

q 80% report Digital Eye Strain symptomsu Tiredu Burningu Itchyu Blurred vision

Kids and Digital Eye Strain The Digital Disconnect

Millennials / Gen. Y(Born 1977-1997):

q 37.4% spend at least nine hours on digital devices each dayq 68% report symptoms of digital eye strainq 85% own a smartphoneq 68% less likely than other generations to own a television q 57% take their smartphones to bed and use them as alarm clocks

Gen X (Born 1965-1976):

q 32% spend 9+ hours on digital devices each day q 63% report symptoms of digital eye strainq 74% report not knowing about blue light damage q 48% more likely to own tablets or e-readers

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Boomers (Born 1946-1964):

q 26% spend 9 hours on digital devices each dayq 40% say they would wear computer eyewear if an

eye care provider informed them of the potential danger of blue light emitted from digital devices

q 57% experience digital eye strain q 81% are more likely to own a TV compared to other

age

So…What is Digital Eye Strain?

q Complex of symptoms associated with Digital device usageq 60 – 90% of ALLAmerican users

u Eye Strain 33%u Neck, Shoulder, Back pain 33%u Headache 24%u Dry Eye 23% (Reduced Blinking)u Blurred Vision

2014 Tear Physiology Study

q Office workers who experience eye strain undergo physiological changes in tear fluid similar to people with dry eye disease.

q Normal Blink Rate= 18X/min.q Digital use reduces blink rate by half=9X/min.

What they don’t know can hurt them!

q 72.5% of adults are unaware of thepotential dangers of blue light toeyes

q 31.9% of adults do not take any action to reduce symptoms of digital eye strain

DES: Causes/Solutions

1. Text on a Screenu Constant refocusing in front and behind screen

causing blur, eyestrain and HAq Solution

u Increase text size u Enhance contrast and brightnessu Glare filteru Dust and keep screen cleaned

DES: Causes/Solutions

2. Excessive Usage Time u 61% usage of 5+ hrs/day resulting in dry tired eyes

q SolutionØ Follow the 20/20/20 Rule (Only 14% take breaks)Ø Remind yourself to blink

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DES: Causes/Solutions

3. Workstation Distance and Setupu Close and Intermediate range

q SolutionØ Adjust distance to arms length (Palm to screen)Ø Decrease overhead and surrounding lightØ Drop screen height to just below eye level

DES: Causes/Solutions

4. Pre-existing Vision Issuesu Refractive issuesu Near/Intermediate correction required?u Dry Eye

q SolutionØ Correct refractive issues Ø Treat Dry Eye- keep drops by computer

DES: Causes/Solutions

5. Glare and Blue Lightu Reflection off walls and screens

q Solutionu Front and Back surface ARu Anti-Glare screen monitoru Adjust Room Lighting (Lamps vs. Overhead lights)

So what is Blue Light anyway?

q HEV light that appears white but has a large blue light componentu Exposes the eye to hidden spikes in intensity at wavelengths within

the blue portion of the spectrum. (400 to 450nm)u Emitted by digital devices and modern day lighting

q Cumulative and constant exposure to blue light can damage retinal cells

u Age-related macular degeneration u Cataracts

Blue Light Research

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Benefits of Blue Light?

qColor vision and perception qEstablishes natural circadian rhythms and sleep-wake

cycles in the human body by aiding in cognitive functions

u Alertness u Memory u Emotion Regulation

Blue Light and Sleep

q Frequent exposure to Blue Light at bedtime excites the brain and prevents falling into natural restorative sleep.

q Blocks production of Melatonin

§ SleepShield§ Twilight§ F. Lux§ LowBlueLights§ BioBrite

Teenage Boy Sleep Study

q 13 teens between 15-17 yrsq 1 week wearing Blue Blocking lenses between 6pm-bedq 1 week wearing Clear lenses between 6pm-bed

Conclusion:Ø Felt sleepier with Blue BlockersØ Higher Melatonin levels (saliva samples) with Blue Blockers

qIndividuals who reported sleep difficulty were divided into two groups who wore lenses 3 hrs prior to sleep.u Blue-blocking –Amber tinted lensesu Ultraviolet blocking - Yellow-tinted lenses

uParticipants who wore the blue-blocking glasses observed :u More than a 50% increase in sleep qualityu 40% happier after they woke up

Blue Light and Sleep Study

q Actual melatonin level production was measured.

u Regular sunglasses - 46% decrease in melatonin

u Blue-blocking glasses - 6% increase in melatonin

Impact of Blue Light on Melatonin Levels

q How much Time is spent in front of the computer?q What other Viewing Distances are required?q What are the Ambient lighting conditions?q What is your Distance from the computer?q What type of computer work is being done?

Specialized Eyewear…Options to consider…

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q SV lenses at computer working distance

q Computer Progressive- wide intermediate/near w/ limited distance

q High Fitting Bifocals- wide segment made at face to computer distance

q Progressives- Limited function

Digital Lens TypesDigital Lens TECHNOLOGY

q With or Without a prescriptionq Different filters, lenses & materials tailored to lifestyle needsq Allow adults and children's eyes to relax, adjusting to intermediate-

distance objects and reducing glare during prolonged use of digital devices

q Allows for relaxation, sharper focus and reduced blurriness and pixilation, which can cause discomfort

Digital Lens TREATMENTS

q Traditional ARu Reduces reflection and glare from indoor and outdoor lighting

sources and ghost reflections from light sources that can contribute to visual noise and distractions

q Blue Blocking ARu Reduces reflection while blocking out potentially

harmful HEV light at blue end of spectrumu Provenciau Duravision BlueProtect

q Crizal No-Glare Lensesq Eye-Sun Protection Factor (E-SPF®) of 25

uLenses protect your eyes from harmful UV rays 25 times more than if you weren’t wearing glasses at all

q Colored Filters uFilters out harmful blue and violet light uPrescribed to reduce harsh office lighting and

balance colors.

Digital Lens TREATMENTS

q“Protection the way Nature Intended”q Preventionq Protectionq Performance

u VAu Contrast u Night visionu Depth perceptionu Color perception

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ZEISS Digital Smart Lens

“Clear, Relaxed Vision All Day Long”

ZEISS Digital Smart Lens

q Provides “Clear, Relaxed Vision All Day Long”q Wide clear distance viewing q Digital power boost which allows for relaxed focusingq Eyes don’t have to focus and converge as they do with a

traditional lens – that’s what fatigues the eye musclesq Great for Millennials and Generation X’ers

ZEISS Officelens

Puts an end to Digital Eye Strain and get clear, relaxed vision all day long.

Gunnar LENS DESIGN

q Lens Design with Highly Wrapped Frame u Limits air currents near the eyesu Increases humidityu Prevents irritationu Enhances focus and sharpens detail u Eases eye strain.

qTHE BENEFIT: uReduces Dry Eye irritation uReduces Muscular strain

Gunnar LENS MATERIAL

qUltra light material u Eliminates distortion from impurities and haze found in inferior materials

qTHE BENEFIT: Stable optics that won’t permanently deform when flexed or degrade over time through repeated use. Optically pure viewing experience with ultra-light, ergonomic properties that provide:• Low density with lighter lenses• Higher light transmission rate that enhances clarity• Higher ABBE value for distortion free viewing• Medium index of refraction (1.51) allows for thinner lenses

Gunnar LENS TINTS

q Custom lens tints u Filter blue light and block UVu Enhances contrastu Filtered spectrum replicates natural lightu Minimizes visual stress

qTHE BENEFIT: uTunes artificial blue light to enhance the physiology of the naked eyeuIncreases contrast perception

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u Amber Tint - designed for light that comes off computer screen.

Ø Enhances contrast and visual performance while minimizing screen glare and damage from blue UV.

u Crystalline Tint - Coating formula designed specifically for graphic designers, v ideo/film editors, and creative v isual artis ts Ø Creates an equally balanced color spectrum.

u Non-polarized Outdoor tint create a more comfortable and rich v isual experience for anyone viewing their digital devices outdoors.

Gunnar LENS TINT Options Gunnar LENS COATINGS

q Anti-reflection coating – Double sided to reduce glare and reflective light to eliminate visual distraction and stress

q External hard coat - provides extended lensdurability and resists scratching

NOMOPHobia

q “Digital Addiction…The irrational fear of being without your mobile device” (Between 50-60%)

q Addicted regardless of how much damage phone time may be doing to our eyes, not to mention our relationships and psyche.

q CES 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, finds Americans look at their mobile phones an average of 100 times each day (What about YOU?)

Thank you for your Attention!!

Now hurry and check your phones…

Dr. Kris Kerestan