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Eye Strain Symptoms

WHAT IS DIGITAL EYE STRAIN?

Eye strain is the physical discomfort felt after two or more hours in front of a digital screen and is associated with staring at a close to mid-range fixed distance.

WHAT CAUSES DIGITAL EYE STRAIN?

On average, people of working age in Australia now spend over 6 hours a day staring at screens*, causing our eyes to look at a fixed distance for long periods of time putting immense strain on your eye muscles. Spending significant amounts of time staring at screens also causes our blink rates to reduce, resulting in eye irritation.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIGITAL EYE STRAIN?

Overseas studies have shown that up to 90% of computer users (and other screens) suffer visual symptoms^, these include:

  • Tired eyes: A deficiency of tears. The main symptom is usually a scratchy or sandy feeling as if something is in the eye.
  • Dry eyes: When eyes feel achy, weak, or heavy due to intense use.
  • Headaches: A continuous pain in the head.
  • Eye irritation (itchy and burning): Mild eye redness, itching, or tearing.
  • Blurred vision: Refers to a lack of sharpness of vision resulting in the inability to see fine detail.
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TIPS ON AVOIDING EYE STRAIN:

  • Ensure you have the appropriate vision correction for you
  • Remind yourself to blink while working
  • Adjust your computer screen so it’s one arm’s length in front of your face
  • Reduce the amount of overhead and surrounding light that is competing with your device’s screen
  • Have eye tests annually
  • Consider our range of tailored lenses designed specifically for work comfort

    • OUR NEW RANGE OF LENSES

    OPSM have developed a new range of lenses and lens coatings designed specifically for office workers. This includes our ‘Crizal Prevencia’ coating which helps reduce the harmful blue-light emitted by electronic devices. This can increase visual comfort for the wearer and reduce the impact of eye strain symptoms^^.

    Find out more about our lenses

    * Source: Milward Brown 2014 AdReaction Report

    ^ Source: Reddy SC et al. Computer Vision Syndrome: a study of knowledge and practices in university students. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013;5(10):161-168. (found Prevalence 89.9)

    ^^ Source: Kudla, A, Barrau, C, Covec, C, Bouvier, L, 2013, White Paper Crizal Prevencia, Essilor