Digital Eye Strain is a group of eye and vision related problems that result from prolonged use of digital technology including phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. Our modern lifestyles have resulted in a dramatic increase in the usage of digital devices for both leisure and work. In the US people are spending 8-12 hours a day on average using digital technology. This increase in screen time leads to an increase in the demand on our eyes’ ability to focus at near and maintain focus for long periods of time. For this to occur, two of our visual systems must work together. They are accommodation and vergence.
Accommodation is the eyes’ ability to focus in and out. This process uses eight eye muscles that must constantly contract to maintain clear focus at near point. Convergence and divergence are vergence mechanisms that move your eyes inwards and outwards as you focus from near too far. If your eyes are not perfectly aligned during these movements, double vision or blurry vision will occur. Attempting to maintain clear, single vision for prolonged periods of time results in eye strain. This sustained stress eventually leads to visual disorders which manifest as headaches, eye strain, dry eyes, tired eyes, light sensitivity, and neck pain.
At least two-thirds of people experience some degree of eye misalignment, and that number is growing as the world shifts to more remote working and learning. Traditionally, reading glasses, computer glasses, blue-blockers, glasses with prism correction and anti-glare lenses have been used to relieve visual disorders associated with digital devices. For a large part of the population these prescriptions have served their purpose and people can comfortably adapt and be productive on digital devices. But for others, migraines, tension headaches, neck pain, eye strain and dry eyes persist. Even small misalignments can cause chronic painful symptoms. Fortunately, for those individuals, Neurolens can go beyond visual acuity to restore natural comfortable vision.
The Neurolens process is made up of three basic steps: a symptom screener or lifestyle index, which gauges the patient’s level of symptoms, the Neurolens Measurement Device that determines the patient’s binocular or “vergence” ability, and a prescription of contoured prism technology that can relieve the patient’s symptoms. For those with undiagnosed eye misalignment, these lenses are nothing short of a miracle that can relieve years of discomfort associated with prolonged digital device use. Neurolens is particularly beneficial for migraine patients who may have never realized their issue is eye misalignment vs. another cause.
The Neurolens look exactly like conventional lenses and can be used with any frame. They are available in single vision and progressive lens designs, non-glare, and blue blocking lenses.
If you suffer from digital eye strain or experience any of the symptoms described above, please contact our office for an exam to see if you might benefit from this exciting technology. We can be contacted in Stillwater at 405-372-1715. We also invite you to visit our website at www.cockrelleyecare.com and message us on Instagram and Facebook at Cockrell Eyecare Center!