We know that digital eye strain (DES) symptoms are a common complaint with most eye care patients, the biggest culprit being the amount of time we spend in front of computer screens and digital devices.
Download this PDF for a condensed version you can refer to as needed.
As you already know, DES symptoms come in the form of physical and vision-relation issues, including:
- Eye fatigue
- Ocular discomfort
- Dry eye
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Sensitivity to light
What’s your first instinct?
In the case of DES, the go-to solution is usually a multi-point approach — especially with so many options available that are designed for near-tasks and accommodative relief. From single-vision lenses, like Sync III, and progressive addition lenses (PAL) like iD Space, Screen, and Zoom, there is no shortage of solutions to offer. Even add-ons, such as blue light attenuating treatments (like RECHARGE) can be offered as an extra layer of filtration.
With the right combination, we can help alleviate eye fatigue, ocular discomfort, blurred vision, headaches and neck pain because the patient will experience large amounts of accommodative relief while being positioned more ergonomically correct.
Wait, what about light sensitivity?
Light sensitivity and DES
Your instincts are correct. Even with the combination of solutions we described, we could still be doing more — because we haven’t even covered light sensitivity.
Patients who are experiencing this symptom along with other DES symptoms would benefit from one more option added to the lens you prescribe for their individual needs: light reactive lenses.
These lenses are perfectly suited for light sensitivity, and yet, they’re often overlooked because the symptom is caused by an indoor situation. Let’s talk about that.
The role of light reactive lenses in the battle against DES
Light reactive lenses have come a long way. The light reactive options available at your HOYA lab are the best available and are clearer in their inactive state than any generation before them. And they get darker when outside.
However, they still carry a slight amount of residual tint when indoors, which serves two very beneficial purposes:
- The slight amount of residual tint decreases the total amount of ambient light allowed to pass through the lens. This will benefit your light sensitive patients.
- Since the lens is reducing the amount of ambient light passing through it, that also means that blue light is reduced. In most cases, you’ll measure a 20% reduction in blue light.
Then, when outside, the darker lens will offer a level comfort not possible with regular clear lenses. When fully activated, your patient can expect up to 90% reduction in ambient light and 80% reduction in solar blue light, depending on color and level of activation.
This can make the time between stepping outside and putting on their dedicated polarized sun lenses much more comfortable.
Talk to your patients about light sensitivity
If you uncover a sensitivity to light during your patient interaction, add this note to your other findings. That way, when you begin to prescribe a solution, you can add light reactivity.
While you are educating the patient on why you have prescribed this solution for them, include the ambient light attenuating properties of the light reactive lens both indoors and out.
For more details on blue light please read our white paper “What We Know – And Don’t Know – About Blue Light.”