Almost 60 percent of people who use computers and digital devices daily experience eye strain, including sore eyes, headaches, tiredness or loss of concentration.

Here are 5 tips to reduce your risk of eye strain affecting your daily life:

1. Frequent eye exams

Let your eye doctor know if you are experiencing any symptoms listed above. Frequent eye exams are the most important thing you can do to reduce the impact eye strain is having on your life.

2. Reduce glare

Glare from light reflecting off walls and finished surfaces, as well as reflections on your computer screen also can cause eye strain. Using an anti-glare screen on your screen may also reduce reelected glare off the display.

3. Avoid dry eyes

When using a computer the eyes can dry out, due to blinking less often and air conditioning. When staring at a screen, people blink less frequently, up to 66% less than they normally do and tears can also evaporate due to air conditioning.

If you experience dry eye symptoms, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you to discuss artificial tears or other eye lubricants.

4. Walk away

To reduce your risk for computer vision syndrome and neck, back and shoulder pain, it is recommended to walk away – from your screen. Taking frequent screen breaks at least one 10-minute break every hour, will allow your eyes to relax.

During these breaks, stand up, walk for 5 minutes, and also stretch your arms, legs, back, neck and shoulders to reduce tension and muscle fatigue.

5. Computer glasses

Customized computer glasses can be prescribed by eye doctors, these often provide the greatest relief from computer eye strain..

Computer glasses also are a good choice if you wear bifocals or progressive lenses, because these lenses generally are not optimal for the distance to your computer screen.

Computer glasses can also include blue light lenses and anti-reflective (AR) coating, which also reduces glare.

The post 5 Tips to Avoid Computer Eye Strain appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Micro-prisms lenses are fast becoming the optimal treatment for people with Binocular Visual Dysfunction, BVD.

With healthy binocular vision, light enters the two eyes by passing through the cornea and focusing onto the retina in the back of the eye. The brain then interprets the information it receives from the retina of each eye, and produces a single image.

A single image can only be produced if the eyes are perfectly aligned and working together.

In an eye condition, known as Binocular Visual Dysfunction, the eyes are misaligned and is a common reason for the eye doctor prescribing micro-prism lenses.

Double vision or other symptoms occur when the brain tries needs to work hard to compensate for the misalignment of the two eyes.

Prism lenses bend light before it passes through the eye, to redirect the light onto the correct retinal area in each eye. The brain can then accurately interpret the information and produce a single image. 

If you suspect your child has an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: 2021 Update: Treatments for BVD

How is a prism prescribed?

Hirschberg test. This test is used to identify the presence of strabismus, or a turned eye. Your doctor will aim a small light at your eyes and look for a corneal reflection in the center of each pupil. If your reflection is off-center in either one or both eyes, you may have strabismus.

Krimsky test. This test is used to measure the degree of eye misalignment. Your doctor will aim a small light at your eyes, and place prisms of varying strengths in front of your eye. To determine which prism is appropriate for you, your doctor will look for the prism that is able to bring the corneal reflection to the center of your pupil.

Cover tests. There are three types of cover tests:

1. Cover/uncover test: One eye is covered while your doctor looks for any movement in the eye that is uncovered.
2. Prism and alternate cover test: A prism is placed in front of one eye while your doctor alternates the cover over your two eyes. This test measures the difference between the two eyes to determine what type of prism is appropriate for you.
3. Maddox test: Each eye sees a vertical or horizontal line. Your doctor will use prisms to measure the difference between each of the images. This test is used to determine which type of double vision you have (vertical or horizontal).

What is micro-prism?

Prisms are measured and prescribed with a unit of measurement called prism diopters, for example, 4 prism diopters (PD) or 8PD. The prism is added to your regular eyeglass prescription, in one or both of your lenses. The way the prism is situated depends on the type of double vision you have— either horizontal or vertical.

Micro-prisms is just a small amount of prism, usually under 2 PD.

Even though the amount of prism may be small, the impact on your visual system can be significant, resulting in comfortable vision and alleviating the symptoms of BVD.

Vision therapy

Vision therapy may also be a solution recommended by your eye doctor for your double vision or binocular visual dysfunction.

Vision therapy retrains your eye-brain connections to improve your visual skills for clearer, single vision, with or without your eyeglasses.

If you suffer from double vision or binocular vision difficulties, micro-prism lenses can be prescribed to improve your clarity of vision— enabling a more comfortable way of seeing.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

Contact an eye doctor near you to find out if prism lenses could be the solution you have looking for.

The post Are Micro-Prisms the Answer for BVD? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

The term eye strain describes a group of symptoms which occurs after extended use of the eyes, usually involving intense concentration or long periods of sustained attention.

If you have any eye discomfort caused by looking at something for a long time, you probably have eye strain, you may have experienced Digital Eye Strain,  if you have sitting in front of a computer screen for hours!

One of the most common causes of Digital Eye Strain is a condition known as Binocular Visual Dysfuction. This is caused bt a misalignment between the two eyes and is successfully treated with prism lenses.

Schedule an appointment with a vision therapy eye doctor near you so that they can start helping you relieve your eye strain.

SEE RELATED: What is Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)?

What is eye strain?

Eye strain can have devastating effects on both school and office performances and add significantly to stress and anxiety.

The term eye strain is frequently used to describe a group of symptoms that are related to the overuse of the eyes.

Eye strain occurs when your eyes get tired from being used intensely, such as working at a computer or driving a car for extended periods. 

In some cases, signs and symptoms of eye strain indicate an underlying eye condition that needs treatment. While you may not be able to change your job, or all the factors that are causing eye strain, you can reduce it.

The two most common causes of eyestrain are Binocular Visual Dysfunction and Convergence Insufficiency.

What is Binocular Visual Dysfunction?

The symptoms of ocular fatigue, tired eyes, blurring, headaches, and occasionally double vision. are brought on by intense use of the eyes for visual tasks.

Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD) is a misalignment between the two eyes, requiring micro-prism lenses.

For some it can occur while concentrating on a visually intense task such as reading fine print or using the computer for hours at a time. These tasks can unconsciously cause the muscles in the eyelids, face, temples, and jaw to clench, leading to discomfort or pain from overusing those muscles.

When eye strain stems from the use of a digital device, it is called Digital Eye Strain (DES) and often results from Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD).

Struggling to see in dim light or an extremely bright or glary environment can also bring on eye strain.

People are found to blink less when staring at a digital screen. This decreased blinking may lead to dry eye syndrome.

The inability to make both eyes work together, due to BVD, is a leading cause of eye strain.

What is convergence insufficiency?

Convergence insufficiency (CI) is caused by the difficulty of coordinating the two eyes to look at near vision for extended periods of time

Convergence of the eyes occurs when the two eyes need to focus on a close object, such as a computer, or book.

Convergence insufficiency means the eyes struggle to maintain focus on near tasks, affecting school and work performance and many other aspects of life.

As the eyes struggle to focus, they experience eye strain and fatigue.

How can CI be treated?

The most effective treatment for CI is vision therapy.

Vision therapy is an effective customized program that improves the vision skills to achieve clearer and more comfortable vision.

To decrease some of the symptoms of CI your eye doctor may also prescribe prismatic (prism) eyeglasses. These are not meant to treat or cure the condition, but rather relieve the symptoms. In many cases, prisms are prescribed in combination with vision therapy.

How to protect your eyes from DES?

1. Set limits on screen time

It is important to establish a time limit for daily digital device use — and follow through with it.

The more hours a person spends in front of a screen, the greater their risk of developing symptoms of digital eye strain.

2. 20-20-20 rule

This rule helps to relax the eye muscles and prevent eye strain.

Eye strain can be caused by long periods of intense reading or staring at a digital device for too long. While watching TV or using a digital device, every 20 minutes look at something in the distance (at least 20 feet away) for at least 20 seconds.

3. Blink frequently

People blink less frequently when staring at a screen, which can lead to dry, sore eyes, as well as eye strain.

Remember to blink often while sitting in front of a screen, so you can keep your eyes healthy and moist.

4. Keep a distance

Ideally the screen should be at least 18-24 inches away from your eyes.

It is also important to ensure that the computer screen is positioned just below eye level so that you don’t strain your neck while staring at the screen.

5. Upright posture

Online learning and working from home are becoming more and more popular, leaving everyone sitting in front of a digital screen for many hours during the day.

Without proper posture, this can lead to shoulder, back and neck pain— common symptoms of digital eye strain.

To prevent this, your desk and chair should be at a comfortable height so your feet can rest on the floor. If your feet don’t reach the floor, a stool under the desk is a perfect solution.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

If you are concerned about eye strain or fatigue, contact an eye doctor near you, as they can help diagnose and treat your eye strain symptoms.

The post 2021 Update: BVD and Digital Eye Strain appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Tension in the neck and shoulders can lead to eye strain, as tense muscles can press on eye nerves at the back of your neck. When thinking about what causes eye strain, you wouldn’t necessarily think that tension in your neck or shoulders would have an effect on your eyes.

Muscle tension in the upper back, neck and shoulders can be caused by a common visual misalignment, called Binocular Vision Dysfunction.

Others who experience neck pain may be compensating for an eye misalignment by tilting their head towards one shoulder. While this may help to realign the images vertically, it can lead to chronic neck pain.

By treating a vision misalignment or eye strain you allow the eyes to see clearly and properly, and symptoms of neck pain can be reduced or eliminated, providing you with a sense of relief.

Contact an eye doctor near you who has experience working with patients with neck pain and diagnosing and treating BVD or CVS.

SEE RELATED: 2021 Update: BVD and Eye Fatigue

What is BVD?

Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD) is a condition where the eyes struggle to send one clear image to the brain due to a slight misalignment of the eyes.

This may not sound serious, especially if the misalignment is only very slight, but if the eyes aren’t working together perfectly it can be difficult or even impossible for a person to function properly without becoming dizzy – even if they have clear vision.

Fortunately, there are treatment options available that can help patients to overcome the impact that BVD has on their lives.

If you think your neck pain or other symptoms are related to your vision, contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you.

BVD Treatment

Vision therapy and prism lenses are a successful way to treat BVD.

1. Vision Therapy 

BVD is often treated with vision therapy.

Vision therapy is a customized program to improve the communication between the eyes and the brain to support the visual system and alleviate the symptoms of BVD, such as neck pain.

Usually, patients find that their symptoms slowly subside or completely disappear by completing a vision therapy program.

2. Prism Lenses

Prismatic (prism) lenses, along with vision therapy, have been proven to alleviate BVD symptoms. Prism lenses work to correct the eyes’ misalignment by manipulating incoming light before it enters the eyes so that when the images from the two eyes reach the brain, the brain can merge them into a single image.

The prisms in the glasses ‘trick’ the brain into thinking the eyes are aligned properly, allowing them to see just one object and preventing eye muscle strain and neck pain.

Contact a vision therapy eye doctor near you to start a vision therapy program to give your eyes the relief they deserve.

What is CVS (computer vision syndrome)?

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is an eye condition caused by staring at a digital device, especially for many hours. This condition presents itself through eye strain, neck strain, fatigue or headaches.

What is the best way to prevent CVS?

The number one way to prevent CVS, also known as Digital Eye Strain,  is by having an eye examination to rule out any visual problems, including lazy eye, focusing, eye tracking and convergence.

There are a number of other effective ways to relieve and even prevent CVS:

• Reduce glare. The eyes need to work much harder when there’s glare on a screen. Make sure the screen is positioned in a way that prevents glare from indoor lighting or sunshine.  A glare filter can also be added to the screen to prevent glare.
• Take breaks and blink often. Follow the 20-20-20 rule to prevent staring at a screen for too long. Take a break from the computer or device for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes, and look at something at least 20 feet away.
• Adjust the screen’s angle. Make sure the screen is 20-28 inches from the eyes and that the center of the screen is 4-8 inches lower than eye level.

LEARN MORE:  Guide to Binocular Visual Dysfunction (BVD)

Schedule an appointment with an eye doctor near you who can help diagnose the cause of your neck pain and find the best treatment options for you and your eyes.

The post 2021 Update: BVD and Neck Pain appeared first on Optometrists.org.

Eye doctors are reporting a major increase in the number of children being diagnosed with digital eye strain.

With smartphone usage and remote learning becoming more prevalent among children, it’s not surprising that children are experiencing digital eye strain.

While digital technology offers many benefits in the spheres of education, communication, and entertainment, overexposure and prolonged use of these devices can also have detrimental effects on your child’s eyes and vision.

Digital eye strain can cause many physical symptoms, including:

• Blurred vision
• Burning or stinging in the eyes
• Difficulty focusing
• Dry eyes
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Irritated eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Neck and shoulder pain

If your child suffers from any of the symptoms listed above they may have digital eye strain.

Protect your child from digital eye strain

There are many ways to protect your child from digital eye strain so that they can preserve their vision and eye health.

1. Teach the 20-20-20 rule

Digital eye strain can be caused by focusing fatigue, or staring at a digital device for too long.

While your child is watching TV or using a digital device, at least every 20 minutes remind them to look at something in the distance (at least 20 feet away) for at least 20 seconds.

This rule helps to relax the eye muscles and prevent eye strain. 

2. Blink frequently

Researchers have found that people blink less frequently when staring at a  screen. Reduced blink rate can lead to sore, dry eyes, as well as eye fatigue.

Remind your children to blink often while sitting in front of a screen, so they can keep their eyes healthy and moist.

If you suspect your child has eyestrain from their computer, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: Near Point Visual Stress (NPVS)

3. Keep a distance

Children tend to sit with their face up against a screen. This habit can not only cause digital eye strain, but is harmful for their eyes.

Teach your child the importance of keeping a distance from the device. Ideally the screen should be at least 18-24 inches away from their eyes. 

4. Upright posture

With online learning becoming more and more popular, children are being required to sit in front of a digital screen for many hours during the day.

Without proper posture, a day of remote learning can lead to shoulder, back and neck pain— common symptoms of digital eye strain.

To prevent this, your child’s desk and chair should be at a comfortable height so their feet can rest on the floor. If their feet don’t reach the floor, a stool under the desk is a perfect solution.

It is also important to ensure that their computer screen is positioned just below eye level so that they don’t strain their neck while staring at the screen.

Visit an eye doctor

If you find that your child is complaining of blurred vision, sore eyes, headaches, or any other symptoms following prolonged screen time, it is a good idea to schedule an eye exam with an optometrist experienced in children’s vision and vision therapy.

While digital eye strain is often a temporary condition that can be alleviated by making some lifestyle and behavioral changes, your eye doctor may discover that a functional vision problem is the underlying cause of your child’s symptoms.

The Find and Eye Doctor directory may provide a list of eye doctors near you that can diagnose a child with digital eye strain.

A customized program of vision therapy can help to improve their vision and enhance their screen time experience.

LEARN MORE:   Vision Therapy for Children

With technology and screens part of our daily lives, it is essential that we take the time to teach our children how to protect their eyes and vision from the effects of digital exposure.

The post Could Your Child Have Digital Eye Strain? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

If you suffer from fatigue, headaches, migraines or lose attention easily when using a computer, you most probably are experiencing a very common visual problem.

Nearly 60% of Americans use some kind of digital device — computer, phone, tablet, TV — for 5 hours a day, at least. All that screen time can result in blurred vision, dryness, eye strain, or eye irritation.

These symptoms have become so common that researchers have created a name for it: Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), this is caused by a vision problem known as Near Point Visual Stress.

If you think you may have computer vision syndrome visit an eye doctor for an eye exam.

What is computer vision syndrome?

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), also called Digital Eye Strain or Computer Eye Syndrome, causes eye strain and other visual symptoms, due to prolonged screen time or excessive digital device usage.

With more people studying and working at home, eye doctors are reporting a significant rise in the number of adults and children with CVS.

CVS is most prevalent with computers and typically occurs when looking at a screen at arm’s length or closer.

Symptoms of computer vision syndrome

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with an eye doctor experienced in CVS:

• Eye strain
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Dry eye
• Migraines
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Itchy eyes
• Red or watery eyes
• Headaches
• Neck and shoulder pain

Most of these symptoms are temporary and will be relieved when you put your screen away.

However, if these symptoms start to impact your work productivity, a vision problem may be at the root of your symptoms.

The severity of symptoms may vary depending on:

• How long the computer or digital device was used for
• Underlying eye problems
• Other factors that cause CVS

Symptoms may get worse if the problem is not resolved.

Using a computer or digital device for a long time can also lead to other symptoms, such as neck and shoulder pain. This happens because of poor alignment and posture when using a computer or digital device.

What causes computer vision syndrome?

For many reasons, reading text on a digital device is often harder for the eyes than reading printed text. This is why working on a computer for a few hours might cause eye problems, but reading a book may not.

Factors  that can lead to CVS include:

• Poor lighting
• Poor posture while using a computer
• Screen glare
• Uncorrected vision problems
• Viewing a computer at the wrong distance and angle
• Infrequent blinking

You may be at greater risk for CVS if you:

• Are too close to the screen
• Don’t take breaks while you are working
• Spend a few hours a day on one of these devices
• Have eye problems not corrected with glasses or contact lenses
• Have bad posture while using one of these devices
• Have a pair of glasses that is not suitable for viewing the distance of your computer
• View the screen at the wrong angle

The Find an Eye Doctor directory provides a list of eye doctors near you that can conduct eye exams which can help detect any underlying visual problems.

SEE RELATED: Digital Eye Strain: Myths and Facts

How is computer vision syndrome diagnosed?

An eye doctor will make a diagnosis by viewing a patient’s symptoms and an eye exam. The doctor will assess if any medicines, environmental factors or health problems might be adding to the symptoms.

A patient’s sharpness of vision and how well the eyes work together and focus will be tested as well.

A functional vision exam is often required to assess the visual skills such as focusing, eye tracking and depth perception to determine if your computer eye strain may be the result of a vision problem.

How is computer vision syndrome treated?

If a functional vision problem is diagnosed, vision therapy may be recommended.

Vision therapy is an effective treatment program that gets to the root of the vision problem, to alleviate CVS symptoms at their core.

A personalized program of vision therapy will strengthen the neural connections between the eyes and the brain to improve the visual skills necessary for clear and comfortable vision — even after a long day in front of the computer screen.

Can glasses treat computer vision syndrome?

If you spend many hours on the computer each day, computer glasses may be a good option for you.

Computer glasses are designed to take the strain off of the focusing muscles in the eyes, which are working hard to maintain clear vision while you work on the computer.

Computer vision syndrome glasses can also help to reduce the effects of blue light exposure, which can sometimes worsen CVS symptoms.

However, if a vision problem is at the root of your symptoms, vision therapy may still be recommended to treat the problem at its core.

Behavioral changes to reduce computer eye strain 

Making some minor adjustments to your work station can help to make screen time more comfortable for your eyes.

1. Blink often and take breaks

Follow the 20-20-20 rule to prevent staring at a screen for too long. Take a break from the computer or device for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes, and look at something 20 feet away.

2. Adjust the angle of the screen

Make sure the screen is 20-28 inches from the eyes and that the center of the screen is 4-8 inches lower than eye level.

3. Use a cool-air humidifier

A humidifier adds moisture to the air, so eyes don’t dry out as quickly.

4. Reduce glare

Eyes work harder to read when there is a glare reflecting off a screen. Make sure the screen is positioned in a way that prevents glare from windows or lighting. A glare filter can also be added to the screen to prevent glare from reflecting off the screen.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Vision Therapy for Adults

If you believe you have computer eye strain, contact an eye doctor near you to schedule an appointment, so that you can receive treatment to alleviate any symptoms you may be experiencing.

The post What Is Computer Vision Syndrome? appeared first on Optometrists.org.

But what can you do when your child complains of headaches or eye strain? 

With the dramatic surge of digital device use, eye doctors have been reporting a significant rise in the number of children suffering from blurry vision, headaches, eye strain and focusing difficulties.

Common symptoms from prolonged screen time include:

• Eyestrain
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Dry eyes
• Neck and shoulder pain

These symptoms are not only uncomfortable, but are also closely linked to difficulties in attention and concentration. 

As a result, many children complain that “learning is too difficult” or they “can’t sit anymore”. Worse yet, some children adamantly refuse to attend online classes in the morning— causing feelings of frustration and high levels of stress for both the child and their parents.

What can you do to help your child?

This is the number one question asked by parents nowadays.

Schedule an eye exam

The first factor to consider is whether or not your child is suffering from a vision problem.

The only way to answer this question with certainty is to schedule a comprehensive eye exam and functional vision evaluation.

Your eye doctor will assess your child’s vision and visual skills to determine if a vision problem is causing your child’s headaches and eyestrain— and thus their inability to sit through their online classes comfortably.

Spend time outdoors

Unfortunately, it simply doesn’t work to force your child into online learning. They may end up sitting in front of the screen, but won’t gain much from the lesson— especially if they are experiencing symptoms that impact their ability to concentrate.

In the meantime, try to take advantage of the fact that your child is at home and blend learning with fun! Your children learn with you and from you all the time— use this opportunity to teach your children in a more relaxed setting. You may even be able to incorporate what they are learning in class with a fun outdoor activity!

Running around outdoors is great for reducing stress and relaxing the eye muscles.

Studies have proven that taking young children outside is one of the best ways to keep their eyes healthy and reduce their chances of developing myopia.

But don’t forget, the sun’s UV rays are strong, even when the sky is overcast— so pop on a pair of sunglasses and make sure your child has a pair too. Children’s eyes are still developing and are therefore more susceptible to the harmful effects of UV rays.

Most eye doctors supply children’s sunglasses that are good quality, fashionable and affordable— so if you don’t have a pair for your child, be sure to get them the protection they need to keep their eyes as healthy as possible.  

Spending time outdoors will not only help your child to come back to class feeling refreshed, but can also help you to regain your strength and energy. 

Practice screen time rules

• Follow the 20/20/20 rule – Every 20 minutes, instruct your child to look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, to allow the eyes’ focusing muscles to relax.
• Use a larger screen – A larger screen is generally more comfortable to look at for an extended period of time, as details and text will be seen more clearly.
• Adjust screen settings – Selecting white print on a black background, or adjusting the screen brightness may help your child to see more comfortably.
• Position the screen – Position the screen at least 12 inches away from your child’s eyes.
• Lighting – Be sure that the sun is not shining in your child’s eyes or directly on the screen— this can cause a glare and make it difficult to see clearly.

In wake of the current situation, many families are finding it difficult to cope with the challenges associated with online learning, along with the demands of work and family life— all while trying to instill an overall sense of optimism and reassurance in the home.

If your child struggles with online learning, look into scheduling a visit with your eye doctor to see if a vision problem is affecting their ability to sit through their classes comfortably.

Many children suffer from undetected vision problems that can significantly impact learning and concentration, but can be effectively treated with a program of vision therapy. 

Take the first step toward helping your child succeed by scheduling a comprehensive vision evaluation with an eye doctor near you.

The post Help! My Child Dislikes Online Learning appeared first on Optometrists.org.

When the visual system struggles to meet the demands that reading and learning place on the eyes, symptoms like fatigue, eye strain and headaches can surface— this is known as near point visual stress (NPVS).

Near point visual stress is a vision problem that affects many children nowadays, and has become a growing concern among many eyecare professionals.

Learning requires a range of visual skills that help the brain interpret and process visual information. 

The visual skills are essential for all aspects of learning. When a child has a functional vision problem, or more specifically, a problem with his visual skills, the eyes have to exert increased effort in order to accomplish the learning task.

The modern-day classroom relies heavily on technology. Unfortunately, the days of venturing outdoors to make new discoveries are a thing of the past.

As a result, children are expected to concentrate at their desks for longer periods of time and perform a variety of near vision tasks— which now also includes the use of a tablet or computer in most classrooms.

Moreover, homework completion, as well as any “down-time” a child has, usually involves the use of a digital device.

How is vision affected?

When a child with reduced visual skills is exposed to prolonged near vision activities, it may negatively impact their school work and academic grades.

Reduced visual skills can impact the child, including:

• Attentional difficulties
• Blurred vision
• Eye strain
• Headaches
• Fatigue

What causes NPVS?

When a child sits in front of the computer or TV screen for too long, or spends hours each day playing video games or scrolling through social media on their smartphone, symptoms of NPVS may appear.

The stress placed on the visual system alerts the nervous system to react with a “fight or flight” response, which can lead to vision problems as well as behavioral and attentional issues.

Common reactions to near point visual stress include:

• Myopia progression
• Binocular vision difficulties
• Focusing difficulties
• Reduced concentration for reading tasks
• Anxiety
• Reduced self esteem
• Depression

If your child experiences any of these signs above, contact an eye doctor near you, who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: Could Your Child Have Digital Eye Strain?

What can you do to help your child? 

1. Encourage your child to take breaks

An effective way to relieve and even prevent NPVS is to provide your child with “visual stress relief” from their digital devices.

This can be achieved by practicing the 20-20-20 rule which encourages taking breaks from a near vision activity every 20 minutes by looking at an object that is 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

2. Visit your eye doctor

It is crucial to schedule an eye exam and functional vision evaluation if your child is showing any signs of NPVS.

With a comprehensive evaluation, your eye doctor can detect signs of myopia progression, convergence insufficiency, or accommodative insufficiency— all vision problems that can affect your child’s academic success.

3. Myopia management

If your child’s myopia is progressing, your eye doctor can prescribe an effective myopia management treatment to help control and even reduce their myopia.

4. Vision therapy

Vision therapy is an effective treatment for binocular vision difficulties, such as convergence insufficiency, and focusing difficulties, such as accommodative dysfunction.

Your eye doctor can also prescribe a program of vision therapy to help strengthen your child’s visual skills and improve their vision for all near vision tasks.

Near point visual stress is a common problem that affects many children nowadays— and has become a growing concern among many eyecare professionals.

LEARN MORE:   Vision Therapy for Children

If your child is showing signs of NPVS, schedule an appointment with an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam, and to discuss the best treatment options.

Your child’s reading and learning success begins with clear and comfortable vision.

The post Near Point Visual Stress (NPVS) appeared first on Optometrists.org.

When purchasing new eyeglasses or sunglasses, you may want to think about adding some color to your lenses.

Tinted lenses can enhance your vision for indoor and outdoor activities, protect your eyes from harmful UV and blue light, increase eye comfort, and can even enhance your style.

Tinted lenses come in a variety of colors and shades, and can be gradient or solid. Gradient tints are darker at the top and gradually fade to a lighter shade towards the bottom, while solid tints remain the same shade of color throughout the lens.

Every tinted lens offers a unique set of features and benefits, including:

• Improved vision clarity
• Increased color contrast
• Decreased light sensitivity
• Improved color perception
• Enhanced style and cosmetic appeal

Different colored tints 

Yellow lenses are commonly referred to as ‘low light’ glasses or night driving glasses, and are designed to improve vision clarity and contrast in low light conditions. Yellow tints can also help to protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays and filter blue light from digital device screens— thereby decreasing fatigue and symptoms of digital eye strain.

Pink and red lenses are recommended for driving, as they offer protection from glare and improve depth perception. These colors also filter out blue light, allowing you to see fine details more clearly.

Blue lenses can be worn for indoor and outdoor visibility. They are great for reducing yellow light and glare.

Gray lenses are the most common choice for sunglasses because they offer the most accurate color visibility. Gray lenses are also dark enough to protect your eyes from bright light, while being light enough to preserve visual clarity.

Dark amber/copper/brown lenses are known for reducing eye strain and fatigue caused by bright light and glare. These colors also filter blue light and improve color contrast.

Dark green and grey lenses are perfect colors for sunglasses because they reduce brightness while maintaining color contrast and clarity.

Dark blue lenses are another great choice for sunglasses as they reduce glare while enhancing color perception.

Since each tinted lens provides different features and benefits, it is important to think about your personal lifestyle before deciding on a color for your new lenses. 

Contact an eye doctor near you to discuss how to achieve the best vision possible.

SEE RELATED: Do I Need Anti-Reflective Lenses?

What are mirrored lenses?

Mirrored lenses are both fashionable and functional. 

Mirrored lenses help to reflect sunlight away from your lenses to improve visual clarity on sunny days.

Mirror coatings are available in a wide variety of colors and can be applied to any type of lens material.

One of the most common types of mirror coatings is known as the ‘half mirror’ which provides a full dense reflective surface on the outer surface of the lens and completely hides the eyes. Another common mirror coating called the ‘flash mirror’, is less dense than the half mirror and provides a more transparent look.

Keep in mind that the greater the density of the coating, the more reflective it will be— creating a stronger “mirrored” look.

While beneficial for blocking glare, mirrored lenses have the tendency to make objects appear darker and may therefore reduce vision clarity. To improve vision clarity, you may want to think about combining a mirror coating with a light tint, such as gold, blue, or silver.

Which type of tinted lens is right for you?

Each tinted lens provides different visual benefits — the color and density of the lens you choose is truly a personal decision.

Before choosing a specific color, think carefully about your specific lifestyle and what you are looking to achieve with your new eyewear.

LEARN MORE:  Optical and Contact Lenses

Schedule a contact lens fitting to make sure the lens you choose provides you with clear vision and maximum comfort.

Most eyecare professionals recommend a lens color that will enhance visual clarity and depth perception, while reducing eye strain and fatigue. 

Your optometrist can show you a variety of sample tinted lenses. Take your time to trial each one to determine which color provides the most comfortable vision.

The post Tinted Lenses and Mirror Coatings appeared first on Optometrists.org.

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in the amount of time children spend in front of the screen.

Digital devices, including computers, televisions, smart phones, tablets, and gaming devices are not only being used by adults, but by children as young as two and three years old.

Digital eye strain can be caused by a range of visual problems, including Binocular Visual Dysfunction.

If your child shows any of the signs of eye strain, schedule an eye exam with an eye doctor near you.

How common is Digital Eye Strain?

According to recent studies:

• Approximately 42% of young children have their own tablet device. 
  • • This is a drastic increase when compared to statistics from only four years ago when only 7% of young children had their own tablet device.

• An estimated 50% of children under age 9 “often or sometimes” have screen time in the hour before bedtime.

In past years, parents would worry about how much TV their children were watching on a daily basis. Now, with remote learning becoming more common and smartphone use more prevalent among children, not only is overexposure to TV and movies a growing concern, but the constant and continuous use of digital devices has caused a new hysteria among both parents and eye doctors.

Parent surveys were conducted in the year 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak when remote learning and social distancing caused many children to turn to digital devices for both educational, social, and entertainment purposes.

According to these studies:

• 28% of parents reported that their children spend 4 to 5 hours per day on a digital device.
• 17% of parents reported that their children spend 8 to 9 hours per day on a digital device.
• 9% of parents reported that their children spend more than 9 hours per day on a digital device.

While there are many benefits of digital technology, such as education, entertainment and communication, overexposure and prolonged use of these devices can also have detrimental effects on your child’s eyes and vision.

With the increased prevalence of digital technology, eye doctors are now reporting a major increase in the amount of children diagnosed with digital eye strain.

Digital eye strain can cause many physical symptoms, including:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Burning or stinging in the eyes
• Dry eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Irritated eyes
• Difficulty focusing
• Neck and shoulder pain

If you suspect your child has an eye condition, contact an eye doctor near you who can diagnose and treat the condition.

SEE RELATED: The Effects of COVID-19 On Your Child’s Vision

How to protect your child from digital eye strain

1. Set limits on screen time

Children are not always able to set their own limits and usually look to their parents to provide appropriate boundaries.

It is important to establish a time limit for daily digital device use — and follow through with it.

According to the U.S. Department of Health:

• Children under two years of age should not be exposed to screens at all. At this age, vision is still developing and screen time can inhibit their exposure to other types of visual stimulation necessary for healthy vision development.
• Children ages 3 to 4 should be limited to an hour of screen time per day. 

• Children older than 4 should be limited to two hours of screen time per day.  

The more hours a child spends in front of the screen, the greater their risk of developing symptoms of digital eye strain.

2. Teach the 20-20-20 rule

Digital eye strain can be caused by focusing fatigue, or staring at the computer screen or tablet for too long.

While your child is watching TV or using a digital device, try to remind them every 20 minutes to look at something in the distance (at least 20 feet away) for around 20 seconds.

This is a rule that should be followed during any type of near vision activity as it helps to relax the eye muscles and prevent eye strain. 

If your child is old enough, teach them to practice this rule by themselves, without needing constant reminders.

3. Blink frequently

According to research, people blink less frequently when staring at a computer screen. Reduced blink rate can lead to dry, sore eyes, as well as eye fatigue.

Remind your children to blink often while sitting in front of a screen, to help keep their eyes moist and healthy.

4. Keep a distance

It is not uncommon to walk into the room and find your child sitting with their face up against the screen as they watch their favorite TV show.  This habit is not only harmful for their eyes, but can also cause digital eye strain and uncomfortable symptoms — which are usually only felt as soon as you tell them their screen time is up!

Educate your children on the importance of distancing themselves from their device, keeping the screen at least 18-24 inches away from their eyes. 

5. Adjust screen settings

Adjust the settings of your child’s digital device to help minimize eye strain and fatigue.

• Adjust the brightness of the screen so it’s similar to the brightness of the room.
• Adjust text color and size— black text on a white background is known to be easiest on the eyes.
• Adjust the color temperature of the screen to “warmer” colors such as red and orange to reduce blue light emission, which can also cause eye strain.

6. Teach proper posture

With E-learning becoming more and more popular these days, children are being required to sit in front of the computer screen for many hours during the day.

Without proper posture, a day of remote learning can lead to neck, back and shoulder pain— common symptoms of digital eye strain.

To prevent this, make sure that your child’s desk and chair are at a comfortable height so their feet can rest on the floor. If their feet don’t reach the floor, a stool under the desk is a great solution.

It is also important to ensure that their computer screen is positioned just below eye level so that they don’t strain their neck while staring at the screen.

Lastly, to reduce muscle tension, encourage your child to take frequent breaks away from the computer to stretch and walk around.

When to see an eye doctor

If your child is complaining of headaches, blurred vision, sore eyes, or any other symptoms following prolonged screen time, it is a good idea to schedule an eye exam with an optometrist experienced in treating children with eye strain and binocular visual dysfunction.

In many cases, digital eye strain is a temporary condition that can be alleviated by making some behavioral and lifestyle changes. In other cases, a functional vision problem may be identified as the underlying cause of your child’s symptoms.

LEARN MORE: Guide to Children’s Eye Exams

If your child shows any of the signs above, schedule an appointment  with eye doctor near you.

Your child may be diagnosed with reduced functional vision, and a program of vision therapy could help to improve their vision and enhance their screen time experience.

The post Protecting Your Child From Digital Eye Strain appeared first on Optometrists.org.