Computer Vision Syndrome? - FairfieldMoms

The Neurolens Solution:

Whether at work or home, it’s safe to assume most people spend several hours daily locked into digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktops.

You don’t have to take my word for it. Simply look at your weekly Screen Time Report when it comes out Monday morning.

As a result of increased digital device usage, Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) has become a common issue for a shockingly large number of adults.

In fact, two-thirds of all adults currently experience symptoms of CVS. However, most of these adults don’t even realize their symptoms are related to their eyes and never bring it up in conversation with their eye doctor.

What is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Computer Vision Syndrome can be described as the eye and vision related problems that stem from prolonged digital device use. 

CVS is most commonly associated with the following symptoms:

  • Chronic headaches
  • Neck pain
  • Eye fatigue
  • Motion sickness
  • Light sensitivity

These symptoms often result from how we use our devices because we often bend our necks in odd positions to look at our screens and our posture pays the price.

Furthermore, the distance at which we view our screens often contributes to the problem. For many people, these symptoms worsen towards the end of the day as the fatigue builds on itself.

There’s also another factor that can contribute to CVS and that factor is what we refer to as Ocular Misalignment.

What is Ocular Misalignment?

Much like every person has a natural posture in which they sit or stand, our eyes have a natural posture too.

Generally, when we look at something far away our eyes are pointed relatively straight. When we view something up close, our eyes turn in. The closer we hold something to our face, the more the eyes must turn to see that particular object.

However, most of our eyes don’t turn in quite as much as they should to see these objects up close. The discrepancy between where our eyes want to be and where they need to be can contribute to our symptoms.

In addition to computer vision syndrome symptoms, we can also experience:

  • Difficulty reading
  • Double vision
  • Squinting or closing an eye
  • Tired eyes

What can be done to alleviate these symptoms?

Generally, eye doctors will advise taking frequent breaks, decreasing screen time, and increasing the distance from our eyes to our device.

Sadly, reducing screen time is often not possible due to the demands of our work and home lives.

Fortunately for us, there’s a solution.

Enter the Neurolens.

How does Neurolens work?

Neurolens is a unique lens design that utilizes contoured prism to change the way light enters the eye. Rather than the eye overworking to get to correct posture or alignment, the prism shifts the image to reach the eye, which creates more comfortable and clear vision.

To get started, the Neurolens consultation is comprised of three parts: a symptom screener known as a “the Lifestyle Index”, the Neurolens Measurement Device, and contoured prism technology.

“The Lifestyle Index” is a series of questions designed for patients to rate their symptoms. This allows the eye doctor to identify patients who are symptomatic. From everything we know, a huge portion of adults have relevant symptoms, but only a small amount of those adults will inform their eye doctor about these symptoms. This is mainly because patients may not realize their symptoms are related to their eyes.

The Neurolens Measurement Device precisely measures the ocular alignment of individual patients when looking at distance objects and near objects. The device then compares the patient’s alignment to that of the appropriate alignment. This comparison helps us figure out where the visual demand is compared to where the eyes are focusing. The greater the difference, the greater the symptoms.

Once we perform the measurement, we then order glasses with the appropriate amount of prism for each patient. Traditional prism is the only amount that does not change in the lens. Contoured prism, which is unique to Neurolens, gradually changes from the top of the lens to the bottom. This is because of the natural tendency of the eyes to move down and in when we look at something up close.

What else is special about Neurolens?

Another exciting feature of Neurolens is the ability to increase reading speeds. One study found that patients who wear Neurolens were able to read at faster speeds than those wearing traditional lenses with no prism.

This highlights how important it is for our eyes to work together to help us perform tasks up close. In addition, this is very important for students who feel reading is a bigger chore for them than it is for their peers.

Reading with increased speed can help students get through tests and homework more efficiently while causing less headaches and eyestrain at the end of the day.

How do I know if I’m a candidate?

You can know by taking “the Lifestyle Index.” This is the exact starting point to determine if your symptoms may be alleviated by Neurolens.

Advanced EyeCare of Connecticut is the only Neurolens provider in Fairfield County and we are happy to provide a consultation so you can determine if this option is the right solution for you.

Katie Brogan, OD, FAAO

Advanced EyeCare of Connecticut

55 Walls Dr, Suite 205

Fairfield, CT 06824

p 203-292-8101 | f 203-292-8102

advancedeyecarect.com

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