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9 Tips to Protect Children from Digital Eye Strain

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After the holidays, many homes are full of exciting new electronics loaded with the latest apps and games. Kids of all ages are likely having a blast as they learn the amazing new capabilities of their devices. If you have children who are spending more time on digital devices this season, take a moment to notice just how much screen time they are getting and if, during all of this excitement, they begin complaining that their eyes hurt.

What is Digital Eye Strain?

While new tablets, smartphones, computers and TVs can provide hours of entertainment and discovery, they can also have an adverse effect on our vision. Staring at digital screens can cause hazy, blurred vision and can make eyes burn and feel dry, itchy and irritated. This condition is known as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome. Other symptoms of digital eye strain can include:

  • Problems focusing
  • Neck and shoulder pain
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Words moving on the screen (due to underlying eye alignment issues)

According to Sarah Hinkley, associate professor at Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry and spokeswoman for the American Optometric Association, digital eye strain is a nationwide problem, and it is occurring more frequently in kids. “As children acquire cellphones at younger ages and are using them more frequently during the day,” Hinkley explains, “we are seeing the symptoms presenting in younger children more than we have before” (Source: Gunnar).

Don’t Banish the Device. Train the Operator

Electronics are great tools for education and leisure. Children do not naturally set boundaries for themselves, so adults can help by teaching moderation. It begins with having conversations with kids about digital eye strain and how electronic devices affect eye health. You can even ask them to help set guidelines for electronics and come up with a family plan. Here are some tips to get you started:

  1. Listen to the experts. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Health recommended that children under two years of age should not be in front of a screen at all, and over that age, the maximum leisure screen time should be no more than two hours a day (Source: Tech Advisor).
  2. Model good habits in front of your kids. In a survey conducted for the Vision Council, 70 percent of American adults say they have experienced digital eye strain, and 60 percent of respondents said they looked at screens at least 6 hours per day. If you limit your kids to an hour of screen time in the evenings, try to adhere to the same guidelines yourself.
  3. Create a “bedtime” for devices. Too much screen time can interfere with natural sleep cycles, so turn off all devices at least one hour before children go to bed. Have a designated place like the kitchen where you charge all devices at night. This is a great way to avoid temptation!
  4. Remember 20-20-20. Teach your children this rule of thumb: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at an object at least 20 feet away.
  5. Blink! Staring at digital screens decreases our blink rate. Remind your kids to blink their eyes more often than they think they need to, and this will help keep their eyes moist.
  6. Teach your kids about the importance of positioning. Create sufficient distance between the screen and your eyes. Keep hand-held devices a good distance from the eyes and just below eye level.
  7. Adjust the brightness of screens. Change the background color to cool gray. Consider adding a blue light filter to smartphones and tablets.
  8. Increase text size on screens.
  9. Try not to use “more screen time” as a reward. Keep within your agreed-upon family limit.

Teaching kids about moderation is an important life skill, so feel confident in setting healthy boundaries. If you have any questions about digital eye strain and eye health, talk to your ophthalmologist. If you would like to find a board-certified ophthalmologist in your area, use our Find a Physician locator.

How to Know When You are Ready for Reading Glasses

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Do you ever feel like you look like you’re playing the trombone when reading a book, text or recipe? It goes something like this: you look at the print up-close, then adjust the distance several times until the words come into focus. If this new method of reading is becoming a habit, it might be time for reading glasses.

The 5 Signs It’s Time for Reading Glasses

  1. You are over the age of 40. Everyone’s eyesight changes at a different rate, but most people develop presbyopia in their 40s. Presbyopia is a condition in which the eyes strain to focus on nearby objects. This is different from farsightedness, or hyperopia, a condition in which you can see distant objects clearly, but objects nearby may be blurry. Hyperopia is usually present at birth, but presbyopia develops during the aging process.
  2. You need brighter light when reading. If you never seem to have enough light, regardless of the room type or the number of lamps you have turned on, it may be time to get reading glasses. According to a study, a 60-year-old requires three times as much light as a 20-year-old to do the same tasks.
  3. Your eyes get tired when reading or working at your computer. Do you find yourself dozing off at your computer, or do your eyelids get heavy when you read or do detailed work? If you are developing presbyopia, your eyes are working harder and straining more than they normally would. A temporary solution is to blink more often, take more breaks, or adjust your screen to reduce glare. Another option would be to get some reading glasses!
  4. You are getting more headaches. Consistently straining your eyes to read or focus on crafts could give you headaches. A headache right behind your eyes could be indicative of hyperopia. It is important to remember the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If your headaches persist, you should visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.
  5. You see halos. When your lens cannot focus light into your retina, it makes your vision appear blurry. You may see glowing circles around lightbulbs or car headlights. Glasses often solve this problem, but this may also be an early sign of cataracts (Source: Readers Digest).

Staying current with your comprehensive eye exams is the best way to know when you need your first pair of reading glasses, or “readers.” At each visit, your eye doctor will test your distance vision and your near vision so your prescription can be adjusted and fine-tuned to your eyes’ needs. If it has been more than one year since your last comprehensive eye exam, call your eye doctor to make an appointment or use our Find a Physician tool.

Cataract Surgery May Be More Affordable Than You Think

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Pricing cataract surgery can feel like buying a car. There are countless options. You can select a “basic” cataract surgery with a monofocal lens, a “deluxe” procedure with all the bells and whistles of a premium lens, or somewhere in between. Of course, the cost increases according to the number of add-ons and elective options you choose, but it may not be as expensive as you think.

Single Focus IOL (Basic Cataract Surgery)

Most people who need cataract surgery qualify for Medicare or private health insurance which will cover the cost of the removal of the deteriorated lens and the insertion of a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL). A monofocal IOL allows clear distance vision, near vision or intermediate vision, but not all three. Most people choose an IOL to correct distance vision, but they will still need to wear glasses to correct near vision and/or astigmatism.

Astigmatism-Correcting, Multifocal or Accommodating IOL

If you would like an advanced IOL that allows you to see clearly at multiple distances or corrects astigmatism, you should expect an out-of-pocket expense. However, you will not be responsible for the entire procedure. For example, Medicare does not cover astigmatism-correcting IOLs because astigmatism can be corrected with glasses. Medicare and private insurance will cover the medically necessary portion (Basic Cataract Surgery), but you will have to pay the difference for the premium lens. You will also be financially responsible for the Refractive Portion (Advanced or Premium) such as screening tests, refractions, presbyopic correction, LASIK, or extended postoperative care.

Let’s Talk Numbers

In 2015, the average, basic cataract surgery in the United States cost about $3,542 per eye. This amount would be covered Medicare or private health insurance. If you choose to have an advanced technology lens that corrects astigmatism or presbyopia, you could expect to pay anywhere from $900 to $5,000 per eye. When considering the years of enjoyment you will receive from a premium lens, you may decide that it is a worthwhile investment (Source: All About Vision).

Two Important Phone Calls

If you are considering cataract surgery, call your eye care professional to make an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam to talk through your options. Then, call your insurance provider and ask:

  • Is cataract surgery covered or medically necessary?
  • Is astigmatism or presbyopia correction covered?
  • Is Refractive or Refraction technology covered? Are screening tests covered?
  • How much is the copay at the surgery center?
  • How much is the copay for the surgeon?
  • How much does insurance cover the Advanced Cataract Surgery portion for the surgery center?
  • How much does insurance cover the Advanced Cataract Surgery portion for the surgeon?
  • How much deductible do I need to meet?
  • Is the cataract surgeon a preferred provider?

Is Screen Time Affecting Your Eye Health?

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Do you have a screen addiction? Your eyes could be paying the price. According to the Washington Post, 50 percent of teens admit that they feel addicted to their mobile device, and 27 percent of their parents admit they can’t put down their smartphone either. You may not think that you spend too much time on your phone, but think about all the screens you view daily: smartphone, desktop computer, laptop, tablet, game system, and LED TV.

Many of us spend more time looking at screens than sleeping. The average American clocks 444 minutes of screen time (7.4 hours), compared to 317 minutes for Italians and 540 minutes for Indonesians.

It’s easy to see that dependence on digital devices is a worldwide problem. Over 50 percent of people who work in front of a computer screen experience a condition called digital eye strain. Common symptoms of digital eye strain include eye fatigue, dry eye, irritated or itchy eyes, red eyes, and headaches. These symptoms are thought to be caused by overexposure to high-energy visible light or “blue light” emitted by digital devices. Blue light has a wavelength of 380 nm to 500 nm, which means it is one of the shortest, highest-energy wavelengths that humans can perceive. These waves penetrate deep into the eyes and create a glaring effect, which results in irritation and strain.

Eye care specialists can treat the symptoms of digital eye strain, but there are no studies yet that can prove long-term damage. Some laboratory studies suggest that increased exposure to blue light can damage retinal tissue, but many researchers refute this assertion and claim that electronic devices emit only small amounts of energy.

Interestingly, rates of nearsightedness have increased worldwide. Is this a coincidence, or could it be a direct result of our growing screen addiction? In the UK, for example, 16.4 percent of children are nearsighted today compared to only 7.2 percent in the 1960s. Until we have more evidence from longitudinal studies, there will be more questions than answers regarding the specific effects of screens and blue light on our vision. In the meantime, perhaps a simple principle of moderation can lead to wisdom in how we use electronics in our careers, personal communication and hobbies (Source: Financial Times).

Alcohol and Your Eyesight: 4 Ways Excessive Drinking Can Affect Your Vision

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There’s nothing like a glass of Chianti with your favorite pasta dish or a cold draft beer while watching a sporting event. A glass of wine, beer or cocktail will not have any lasting negative effects on your health or vision, but occasional drinking can slowly grow into a habit without even realizing it. Besides the harmful damage that alcohol can do to your body systems, excessive drinking can cause permanent eye damage.

Heavy drinking and vision problems often go hand in hand, so let’s explore how alcohol abuse impacts your eyes.

  1. Muscle weakness. Alcohol weakens the muscles of the eyes and can permanently damage the optic nerve which transmits visual images to the brain. Prolonged alcohol use can cause involuntary rapid eye movement.
  2. Neurological disruptions. Alcohol slows down the communication between the eyes and the brain. This can cause double vision, decrease reaction time of pupils and impair the ability to see color shades.
  3. Unsightly appearance. Bloodshot eyes is one of the most common physical characteristics of a heavy drinker. Alcohol dilates ocular blood vessels, which makes them look larger and gives the eyes a reddish color.
  4. Sharp pain. Alcohol can make the eyes extremely sensitive to light and cause migraine headaches.

Alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation without any adverse effects to the eyesight. It is important to remember that your body’s tolerance of alcohol may be vastly different than someone else’s. As a general rule of thumb, men should consume no more than 4 units of alcohol in one day and women should consume no more than 3 units of alcohol per day. It is healthiest for your body and your eyes to reserve alcohol for special occasions, holidays and celebrations (Source: Medical Daily).

Body Weight is Linked to Eye Pressure and Vision Health

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Obesity is nationwide health concern today. Statistics show that over one-third of Americans are obese, and the numbers are increasing each year. Affecting much more than just body image, obesity increases your risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, and hypertension. Recent studies indicate that being overweight could even impact your eye health.

According to the Beaver Dam Eye Study, obesity is linked to elevated pressure inside the eyes known as intraocular pressure. Glaucoma is a family of eye diseases that is characterized by increased intraocular pressure, but studies do not necessarily indicate that glaucoma is related to obesity. However, increased eye pressure could increase your risk of developing glaucoma in the future. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States and threatens 3 million Americans. Unfortunately, only about half are aware that they have it.

Known as “the sneak thief of sight,” glaucoma can diminish a significant portion of the visual field without symptoms or pain. Other eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, floppy eyelid syndrome, and thyroid eye disease have varying degrees of correlation to obesity. Many of these eye conditions cause irreversible eye damage and can result in permanent vision loss.

If you have consistently struggled with getting your weight under control, now is a perfect time to create some goals and take action. Your vision depends on it! Make an appointment with your ophthalmologist to have a comprehensive eye exam. In just one hour, your specialist can detect and diagnose eye conditions, as well as provide an overall analysis of your health (Source: Healio).

To Drink or Not to Drink: Moderation is Good Mantra for Glaucoma

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We all have our little vices when it comes to our diet. It could come in the form of caffeinated beverages, sugary desserts, salty snacks, or an occasional drink. These comfort foods and drinks can be challenging to regulate, and we can often find that a rare treat can become a bad habit if we are not careful.

If you have glaucoma, you should be especially careful with what you are putting into your body so that you are not raising the pressure inside your eye, or intraocular pressure (IOP). Because there is no cure for glaucoma, the only way of slowing the progression of the disease is by lowering your IOP. There are many factors that can potentially affect eye pressure, such as:

  • Maintaining normal blood pressure
  • Exercising regularly
  • Taking in antioxidants
  • Keeping a healthy body mass index (BMI)
  • Not smoking
  • Avoiding caffeine
  • Moderate alcohol use

Many adults enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail, but this risk factor requires special attention. Alcohol consumption could affect your eye pressure in two ways. Alcohol has been known to lower IOP initially (Source: Modern Medicine). However, over the long-term, alcohol actually increases IOP. It sounds confusing, doesn’t it?

It is important to remember that what you drink and how you drink any liquid is important when it comes to your eye pressure. In fact, drinking two standard bottles of water very quickly can actually raise your eye pressure by one-third, so it is essential to intake liquid slowly to maintain safe eye pressure (Source: Glaucoma NZ).

We need to look no further than the ancient philosopher Aristotle, who encouraged “Moderation in all things.” Glaucoma requires special attention and care, but the answer can usually be found in moderation. An occasional glass of wine or a celebratory cocktail will probably not affect your glaucoma, but it is important to have self-control and use good common sense when it comes to diet and lifestyle habits.

Tips to Reduce Hazard of Blue Light

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Everyone knows that sunscreen and sunglasses help protect your eyes from the ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) of the sun, but those same blue violet rays can also be emitted from electronic devices. Some examples of artificial sources of blue violet light, commonly known as blue light, are smartphones, computers, tablets, LEDs, and CFLs.

As we increase our use of digital devices, we put our eyes at risk for retinal damage. Humans can only perceive a portion of the wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum between wavelengths of 390 nm to 700 nm. Blue light has a wavelength of 380 nm to 500 nm, which means it is one of the shortest, highest-energy wavelengths. These waves create a glaring effect on the eyes and can lead to eye fatigue, dry eye, blurred vision, headaches, and nearsightedness. Continued exposure to blue light can cause photochemical damage, which in turn can harm retinal cells and makes us susceptible to age-related macular degeneration (Source: Business Standard).

How can we protect ourselves from eye damage associated with blue light if digital devices surround us on a daily basis? Here are some practical ways to protect your eyes from blue light damage:

  1. Limit screen time when you are not working. It is impossible to avoid digital devices in the workplace, but you can reduce the amount of time you spend on electronics when you are not working. Digital devices often provide a passive “escape” from reality that seems enjoyable, but it can be a poor use of your time and can just increase eye fatigue and muscle strain.
  2. If you use your devices at night, download a blue light filter app. There are several free apps in your App Store that will put a filter on the screen of your smartphone or tablet to reduce glare at night. This will help reduce eye fatigue.
  3. Try not to use your devices directly before bedtime. Overexposure to blue light can cause restlessness and insomnia. Set a limit of turning off your devices at least one hour before bedtime and charge your devices in a different room so you are not tempted to turn them back on.
  4. Blink, blink, blink. One reason that we are more susceptible to dry eye when using electronics is that our blink rate is reduced significantly. Put a post-it note on your computer screen that says “Blink”! Blinking more often will keep your eyes moist and refreshed.
  5. Get regular comprehensive eye exams. There is no substitute for an eye exam by a licensed specialist. Schedule regular eye exams to ensure your vision stays clear and healthy. You can also talk to your ophthalmologist about prescribing protective lenses with blue light filters to reduce eye strain.

Average Age for Cataract Surgery is Dropping

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The risk for cataracts increases as we age, but the average age for cataracts is dropping. Around one to two percent of all cataract surgery patients are in their early 40s, but many young people are unaware that they already have a developing cataract.

A recent study by the Mayo Clinic found that more people are choosing cataract surgery at a younger age. The study examined cataract procedures done from 2005 to 2011 in Olmsted County, Minnesota, and 20 percent of the surgeries were performed on patients younger than age 65.

How do you know that you have a cataract? Some people have described a cataract as “looking through a dirty, Vaseline-smudged window.” Cataracts are more noticeable in bright light, so playing outside or going to the beach can make vision seem extremely hazy and blurred. Because cataracts never improve and only worsen over time, it is only advantageous to have the cataract removed when it interferes with daily tasks and affects quality of life.

According to Dr. Rosa Braga-Mele, chair of the cataract clinical committee of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, doctors are seeing that their younger patients are less willing to accept the annoyance of a cataract and want to have surgery sooner. Braga-Mele points out that the baby boomer population (those who are in their 50s and 60s) wants to eliminate “any hurdle to their independence” and often want to have cataracts removed sooner rather than later.

Certain careers may also influence whether a person wishes to have cataract surgery earlier. Katie Roberts, age 37, has had cataract surgery on both eyes. Her first procedure was at age 32. As a firefighter, she relies on clear vision and wanted to have cataract surgery as early as possible. Other individuals may not be bothered by a developing cataract and may want to wait until it gets worse to have it removed.

Thanks to developing technology, ophthalmologists can detect cataracts earlier nowadays, and new methods have made cataract surgery less invasive than ever (Source: Today).

Eye Floaters: Harmless or Dangerous?

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Is there anything as bothersome as an eye floater? Those flashing spots, strands, squiggly lines, and rings dart and drift away and you just cannot look directly at them, no matter how hard you try. Floaters are often most apparent when you are outside or looking at something bright or light in color. Everyone experiences eye floaters once in a while, but they can increase in number and frequency and become distracting. In rare cases, floaters can be an indicator of a more serious eye condition.

What causes eye floaters?

Most floaters are a result of the aging process. About 80 percent of the eye is filled with vitreous humor, a gel-like material that helps the eye keep a round shape. Over time, the gel reduces in volume and pulls away from the back of the eye. Protein strands in the gel, called collagen, become stringy and cast shadows on the retina. These shadows are what cause the floaters.

Some floaters have a very different origin. Eye surgery, eye disease, eye injury or diabetic retinopathy can result in floaters, so talk to your eye doctor if you think that eye floaters are a result of a previous procedure or condition.

Are floaters dangerous?

Most floaters are completely normal and gradually tend to settle at the bottom of the eye, but they do not go away completely. Most people become accustomed to floaters and they can ignore them, but there are some instances when you should not ignore floaters. It may be necessary to call your eye doctor if you notice an increase in eye floaters, eye pain, changes in peripheral vision or see flashes of light.

Although less common, floaters can be symptoms of a retinal tear, retinal detachment, inflammation (uveitis) vitreous hemorrhage, eye tumor or bleeding within the eye, so do not ignore changes in your vision.

Treatments for eye floaters

If you are simply bothered by your floaters, there is no specific treatment. Sometimes, just moving to a location that has lower light can be helpful in minimizing floaters. If your vision is significantly affected by floaters, your doctor may talk to you about a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. In this procedure, the vitreous humor and collagen strands are removed from the back of the eye and replaced with a salt solution. This operation is not usually recommended unless your vision is being significantly compromised.