Optometry's Meeting™ |  Optometry's Career Center |  Ask a Question |  Site Map  
MOA Home
About the MOA| Doctors| Paraoptometrics| Students and Educators| Media Center| MFVA
  
<  MOA Press Releases Michigan Optometric Association
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
The Michigan Optometric Association
O: 517.482.0616

Save Your Vision Month

March Is National Save Your Vision Month – Michigan Optometrists
Discourage Prolonged Use of Computers and Handheld Devices

In commemoration of National Save Your Vision Month, Michigan Optometric Association (MOA) doctors want to alert Michigan residents about computer vision syndrome – a condition that occurs after extended use with a computer or other video displays such as smartphones or PDAs.

Computer vision syndrome can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist. Symptoms of computer vision syndrome include dry eye, eyestrain, neck and/or backache, light sensitivity and fatigue. These symptoms can result from individual visual problems, poor workstation configuration and improper work habits.

More than 82 percent of Americans frequently work with a computer or a PDA, according to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) 2007 American Eye-Q™ survey, which identified Americans’ attitudes and behaviors regarding eye care and related issues. Supporting this, a recent Omnibus survey commissioned by the AOA showed 42 percent¹ of respondents spend three or more hours a day in front of a computer or handheld device.

Pre-existing, uncorrected vision problems like farsightedness and astigmatism, inadequate eye focusing or eye coordination abilities, and age-related eye issues also contribute to computer vision syndrome.

“Working at a computer requires a great deal of eye movement and eye focusing,” said Dr. Amy Crissman, Chair of the MOA Primary Care Committee. “This constant refocusing effort stresses the eye muscle, leading to computer-related vision problems,” Crissman added. “Additionally the AOA Omnibus survey reports that 78 percent of Americans do not have their computer monitor positioned at the correct height which is below eye level. Since computer vision syndrome impacts so many people, we are passionate about educating Michigan residents during National Save Your Vision month.”

According to MOA doctors, Michigan residents should follow these guidelines to prevent or reduce eye and vision problems associated with computer vision syndrome:

  • Have your vision checked regularly. Prior to age 61, adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, or as recommended by an eye doctor, and annually after that age. Vision and eye health can change rapidly and frequently, particularly as one ages, therefore, having one’s vision examined on a regular, timely basis is important to maintaining overall health and for preventive reasons.
  • Limit the amount of time you continuously use the computer. Practicing the 20/20 rule (look away from the computer every 20 minutes for 20 seconds) will minimize the development of eye-focusing problems and eye irritation caused by infrequent blinking.
  • Check the height and arrangement of the computer. MOA optometrists suggest more comfortable computer viewing can be achieved when the eyes are looking slightly downward. Optimally, the computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below eye level (about 4 or 5 inches) as measured from the center of the screen and 20 to 28 inches from the eyes.
  • Check for glare on the computer screen. Windows or other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of the monitor. When this occurs, turn the desk or computer to prevent glare on the screen.
  • Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match the computer screen. A smaller light can be substituted for a bright overhead light or a dimmer switch can be installed to give flexible control of room lighting. Turn three-way bulbs to the lowest setting.
  • . To minimize the chances of developing dry eye when using a computer, make an effort to blink frequently. Blinking keeps the front surface of the eye moist.

“Viewing a computer screen is different than reading a printed page,” said Dr. Crissman. “Often the letters on the computer screen are not as precise or sharply defined, the level of contrast of the letters to the background is reduced, and the presence of glare and reflections on the screen may make viewing difficult.”

Testing for computer vision syndrome, with special emphasis on visual requirements at the computer working distance, may include:

  • Taking a patient history to identify existing symptoms, any general health problems, medications taken, or environmental factors that may be contributing to computer vision syndrome.
  • Measuring visual acuity to assess the extent to which vision may be affected.
  • A refraction to determine the appropriate lens power needed to compensate for any refractive errors including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism (vision conditions that cause blurred vision due to incorrect focusing power of the cornea, the clear front cover of the eye), or presbyopia (a vision condition in which the crystalline lens of your eye loses its flexibility, which makes it difficult to focus on close objects).
  • Testing how the eyes focus, move and work together. To obtain a clear, single image of what is being viewed, the eyes must effectively change focus, move and work in unison. This testing will look for problems that keep the eyes from focusing effectively or make it difficult to use both eyes together.

Using the information obtained from these tests, along with results of other tests, an optometrist can assess the presence of computer vision syndrome and provide specific treatment options. Special computer glasses and computer screen filters are available to help reduce glare and discomfort.

Doctors of optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases of the visual system and the eye. Optometrists provide more than two-thirds of the primary eye care services in the . They are widely distributed geographically and are readily accessible for the delivery of eye and vision care services.

To locate a Michigan Optometric Association doctor, please visit www.themoa.org and click the Vision Care tab.


[Editor’s note: To schedule an interview with Dr. Amy Crissman, OD, please contact Rita Sitto at (313) 567-5008.]

About the AOA American Eye-Q™ And Omnibus Surveys

The second American Eye-Q™ survey was commissioned by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC). Using a random digit dialing methodology, ORC conducted interviews with 1,005 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of households. The margin of error is ±3.1 percent for the general population. All data is weighted to represent the general populations with respect to gender, geographic region, and age group.

The AOA Omnibus survey¹ was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) CARAVAN Services from January 31 – February 1, 2008. Using a random digit dialing methodology, ORC conducted interviews with 1,000 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of adults. The margin of error is ±3 percentage points for the general population. All data is weighted to represent the general population with respect to gender, geographic region, race and age group.

About the Michigan Optometric Association
The mission of the Michigan Optometric Association is to unite all licensed optometrists and be the representative voice for the profession of optometry in Michigan . The association provides education, information and other member services to assist optometrists in practicing successfully in accordance with the highest standards of patient care; works to advance the quality and accessibility of optometric services throughout the state and seeks to ensure the recognition of optometrists as the primary providers of vision and related eye health care.

Media Center