In today’s world we are viewing smartphones, tablets, televisions, and computer screens for longer periods of time. Even young eyes are struggling from prolonged usage of digital devices. Studies have proven that looking at Digital Screens for long periods can cause physical eye discomfort, the Vision Council refers to this discomfort as Digital Eye Strain (DES). Digital Eye Strain symptoms can present themselves in as few as 2 hours and include: Tired Eyes, Headaches, Blurred Vision, Dry Eyes, Light Sensitivity, Poor Night Vision, and Eye Irritation.

Do you spend less than 2 hours a day looking at digital screens? If not, this is exactly why protection is so important. All these devices emit blue light and long exposure can lead to eye strain, eye fatigue, and even sleeplessness. Using digital devices means you’re putting additional strain on your eyes as they’re having to focus for extended periods of time at a near distance. Eyes doing this tend to become overworked and tired. Over time the common DES symptoms can also include fluctuation in vision.

Key symptoms of Digital Eye Strain, in order of prevalence:

• Fluctuation in Vision
• Tired Eyes
• Headaches
• Overall Body Fatigue
• Decreased Concentration
• Decreased Night Vision
• Dry Eyes
• Light Sensitivity
• Rubbing of Eyes

What causes this:

Prolonged amounts of screen time can lead to accommodative lockup. Over time the eyes lose the ability to relax as the ciliary muscle of the eye remains in a constant state of contraction. When our eyes view distances beyond 20 feet the focusing system is totally relaxed, this is optical infinity for the eye. As objects get closer our eyes have to focus to keep the image clear, so focusing on near objects for prolonged amounts of time can cause the ciliary body to become fatigued and lock up. This result is a delay in the ciliary body relaxing when viewing distance and will cause the vision to blur. By relaxing the focus at near the visual system can rebound to a relaxed state at distance easier. Switching between devices can make accommodative stress even worse. How often do you switch between a computer and then your phone? Follow the 20:20:20 rule! Every 20 minutes, look 20 ft away, for more than 20 seconds. Try for a few minutes even ?

There are a few ways to combat Digital Eye Strain. These offer protection versus fixing, postpones or prevents Digital Eye Strain, and helps improve screen viewing:

• Anti-fatigue lenses like Hoya’s Sync Range reduce eyestrain and have been developed specifically for screen use.
• Blue Light lens coating like Hoya Hi-Vision Blue Control reduces exposure to the blue light emitted from LED screens and is recommended in conjunction with the filters now often found on phones and tablets.

Hoya’s Sync Range; Sync lenses will help boost your accommodation so your eyes are less stressed, they allow your eye muscles to relax, reducing visual fatigue and eye strain so you can focus more easily. The Sync III is the third generation of SYNC lenses, the most advanced design in single vision lenses, made to reduce visual fatigue and eye strain while increasing the crispness of your vision. Single vision is a good fit for children, young adults, and presbyopes that don’t want progressive lenses. Hoya Sync III lens is designed to specifically reduce the accommodative stresses, it creates a boost zone on the bottom of the lens, an area with an increased amount of relaxing power, which reduces eye strain during prolonged up-close activities such as looking at digital screens, reading, or any “near task” activities. This allows your eye muscles to relax and focus more easily, helping to relieve eye strain and provide visual comfort.

Hoya Hi-Vision Blue Control coating for digital lifestyles ensures a more relaxed vision and better ocular health. This is a protective coating that reduces the blue light emitted by digital screens. It is the optimal solution for the large group of users who come into contact with digital screens throughout the day, including students, gamers, young professionals, office workers, and children. As well as protecting the eyes, the coating provides higher contrast and a more relaxed viewing experience. Alleviate Digital Eye Strain symptoms and protect your vision in the process.

The wearer will benefit from:

• Enhanced contrast, improving clarity, and color perception
• Reduced glare for more comfortable and relaxed vision
• Reduced blue light, preventing eye strain and fatigue.

Find out if any of these lenses can help you! Complete the form below: