Contact Lens Spectrum Supplements

Special Edition 2016

Contact Lens Spectrum

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c l s p e c t r u m . c o m C O N T A C T L E N S S P E C T R U M S P E C I A L E D I T I O N 2 0 1 6 5 INNOVATIONS IN CONTACT LENS MATERIALS & DESIGNS ADDRESS PROLONGED SCREEN TIME E yestrain associated with the use of digital devices has become a com- monly reported complaint. In a recent study, using a sample of 9,749 American adults, 30% spent more than 9 waking hours using a digital device (The Vision Council, 2015). Correspondingly, common symptoms with overexposure to digital devices in that same report included eyestrain (33%), neck/shoulder/back pain (33%), headache (24%), blurred vision (23%), and dry eyes (23%). This poses a growing problem for society, and it is unclear to me what public health or medical interventions are being used on a large-scale basis to address these issues. There are many considerations for the etiologies of these symptoms — lack of blinking, tear instability, muscle fatigue, improper working dis- tance, improper lighting conditions — the list is simply too long to enumer- ate. We are all aware of these issues in our everyday practices, and it is important that we stay vigilant in our efforts to educate patients and help them cope with these problems. I also think the time is right to look toward innovative technologies to help us address these issues in our patients — particularly in our contact lens wearers. I have said many times that contact lens materials and designs have evolved tremendously over time, such that we now are able to begin ad- dressing these common problems in our patients. I think it is very important that we consider both contact lens materials — intended to improve ocular surface biocompatibility — and contact lens designs — intended to improve fitting, comfort, and visual performance — in an effort to achieve the most successful outcome for our patients. Indeed, the future is bright in this regard, and it remains paramount for us to understand how these technologies work. We then need to implement them in our practices so we can continue to offer innovative solutions and top-notch care for our patients. REFERENCE 1. The Vision Council. Hindsight is 20/20/20: Protect Your Eyes from Digital Devices. 2015 Digital Eye Strain Report. Available at: https://www.thevisioncouncil.org/sites/default/files/ VC_DigitalEyeStrain_Report2015.pdf; accessed Oct. 4, 2016. JA S O N J. N I C H O L S, O D, M P H, P H D, FA AO EDITOR'S PERSPECTIVE

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