Eye Strain Solutions

The day gets long, long, and longer, and you are still staring at that same computer screen.   Your eyes feel tired, and you feel a dull headache.  The worst part is, it’s a pattern that repeats day after day, year after year.

Why is this so hard on your eyes?

• Constant focus on one flat plane, such as a computer screen requires constant visual effort, and strains your eye muscles.
• You tend to blink less often when viewing monitors, causing eye dryness and irritation.
• Artificial blue light emitted from computer screens can also cause macular degeneration and cataracts.

Short of ditching your career, is there another solution? Indeed, there is.  Doctors of Optometry highly recommend specialized lenses for your regular eyewear.  Note that these solutions may not be available for safety lenses (which are likely already designed for high-impact, heat resistance) but these options can be applied to regular dress lenses.

1. Anti-Fatigue Lenses:   These lenses not only correct for distance vision, but also give additional power in the bottom portion of the lens for near tasks. Some manufacturers may refer to a “boost zone”, which is added to your regular prescription, for viewing screens at close distances. These lenses reduce eyestrain by about 50%, according to their wearers’ tests.   The lenses look exactly like a regular lens, and they are compatible with any kind of frame.
2. Progressive Lenses:  These lenses are designed with varying focal-points for close, intermediate and longer distance ranges. You might consider them “multifocals” instead of bifocals. They will also help you keep your natural posture more consistently, reducing headaches.   They are compatible with any kind of frame.
3. Lens Coatings:  Certain lens coatings block some of the high-energy blue light from computer screens and other devices, reducing symptoms of eye strain. The lenses appear clear, not yellow, so they do not change the appearance of your regular lenses.   In addition, such coatings can also serve to provide dust and scratch resistance.

You might ask, what are the costs of these solutions?

Less than you might think.  Lens coatings are about $100 – $150.   A specialized progressive lens is about 20 – 50% MORE than a lens prescription that is only designed for distance or near vision.

With the average adult spending 7 hours per day on devices, there’s a high probability that a pair of specialized lenses will make a noticeable difference to how you feel at the end of the day.  They may save the quality of your vision in the longer run.  Call your Optometrist to learn more, and remember to stay “Eye safe”!