2023-08-04T12:15:00
(BPT) – For the past few decades, our dependence on digital devices has dramatically increased. Our eyes are now spending a considerable amount of time focused on screens ranging from smartphones and tablets to laptops and TVs.
In fact, adults are now spending 13+ hours a day on digital devices, a 35% increase since 2019.1 All this time on screens has many wondering how it could impact our eyes, and what is blue-violet light?
Sources of blue-violet light are more numerous than you’d think, including digital screens (TVs, computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets), fluorescent and LED lighting, and even the sun!2 Though light from electronic screens comes in all colors, the majority of these devices use LED technologies with high amounts of blue-violet light.
“We may not like to admit this, but most of us go from seeing a medium-sized screen (computer) at work, to a larger screen (TV) that is playing in the background as we scroll through our small screen (smartphones),” according to Luis Rojas, O.D., co-founder of DeNovo Eye. “It’s no surprise that our visual demands have increased, but without taking precautionary steps, your eyes may be impacted with increased screen time.”
Long days in an increasingly digital-dependent world also means we blink less, which can cause a destabilized tear film, leading to feelings of dryness and tired eyes.3-5 In fact, 71% of eye care professionals say patients are reporting issues with eye comfort due to screen time.6
Solutions to think about NOW to help keep your eyes feeling good
Give your eyes a rest by following the 20-20-20 rule: take a break every 20 minutes by looking at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Setting a timer or reminder on your phone to take regular breaks to look into the distance can help your eyes to relax.
For those that wear contact lenses, there is also a new option from ACUVUE® to help with our evolving digital lifestyle. ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-DAY lenses are designed to maximize tear-film stability and lock in moisture.7,8 In fact, ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day lens wearers were 2X less likely to experience feelings of tired eyes at the end of the day and 2X more likely to have clear vision using digital devices.9,[*] These lenses also have the highest-level blue-violet light filter in the industry at up to 60%.8,10,[†],[‡]
The most important step is scheduling an annual comprehensive eye exam to determine with your doctor the best options for you, depending on your lifestyle and needs.
How can you determine a suitable option for your eye health? It’s easy, says Dr. Rojas, “go talk to your eye doctor!”
“When visiting an eye care provider, one can expect a comprehensive assessment of your overall vision and ocular health which can help identify many ocular and systemic complications,” according to Dr. Rojas. “After checking your vision with several tests, your doctor will determine your prescription and tailor it to your visual needs to maintain clear and comfortable vision throughout the day. Our goal is to find solutions that will help you maintain healthy eyes, reduce fatigue, and maximize your vision potential to increase your productivity day-after-day.”
Visit the ACUVUE® eye care professional locator to find a doctor in your area and schedule an appointment today!
Important Information for Contact Lens Wearers:
ACUVUE® Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional and ask for a Patient Instruction Guide, call 1-800-843-2020, or download the Patient Instruction Guide (https://www.acuvue.ca/patient-instruction-guides).
References
1 COVID-19: Screen Time spikes to over 13 hours per day according to Eyesafe Nielsen estimates, published 3/28/20, https://eyesafe.com/covid-19-screen-time-spike-to-over-13-hours-per-day.
2 JJV Data on File 2022. Blue-Violet Filter Utilized in ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day contact lenses.
3 Tsubota K, Nakamori K. Dry eyes and video display terminals. N Engl J Med. 1993;328(8):584. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199302253280817.
4 Patel S, Henderson R, Bradley L. et al. Effect of visual display unit use on blink rate and tear stability. Optom vis Sci. 1991; 68(11):888-892. doi: 10.1097/00006324-199111000-00010.
5 JJV data on file, 2021. ACUVUE® OASYS Brand Family Digital Device Claims (ACUVUE® OASYS, ACUVUE® OASYS 1-DAY, and ACUVUE® OASYS with TRANSITIONS™.
6 Jobson Optical Research, January 2021 n=503 ECPs.
7 JJV Data on File 2022. Effect on Tear Film and Evaluation of Visual Artifacts of ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day Family with TearStable™ Technology.
8 JJV Data on File 2022. TearStable™ Technology Definition.
9 JJV Data on File 2022. Comparative Subjective Claims for ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day lens vs DAILIES TOTAL1 and Additional Stand-Alone Claims.
10 JJV Data on File 2022. Material Properties: 1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST, 1-DAY ACUVUE® TruEye®, ACUVUE® OASYS 1-Day with HydraLuxe® Technology and ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day with TearStable™ Technology Brand Contact Lenses and other daily disposable contact lens brands.
[*] Versus DAILES TOTAL
[†] Filtering of HEV light by contact lenses has not been demonstrated to confer any health benefit to the user, including but not limited to retinal protection, protection from cataract progression, reduced eye strain, improved contrast, improved acuity, reduced glare, improved low light vision, or improved circadian rhythm/sleep cycle. The Eye Care Professional should be consulted for more information.
[‡] Versus publicly available information for standard daily use contact lenses as of June 2023.
