Male Speaker: Modern technologies have changed the way people communicate to their jobs and function in everyday life. It's common to see people using laptops in coffee shops and sending text messages on cell phones and BlackBerrys. Despite the modern conveniences of computers, televisions, and hand-held devices prolonged exposure to digital screens is negatively affecting the eye and vision health of Canadians.
It's interesting to find that children and young adults are not the only ones spending most of their time in front of digital screens. In fact, a recent survey by Léger Marketing shows that the Canadian baby-boomer population is spending an average of 7.5 hours a day in front of various digital screens. 40% of baby-boomers report symptoms related to Computer Vision Syndrome.
Mira Acs: Computer Vision Syndrome or CVS are the signs and symptoms that patients experience when they do a lot of computer work and work on various screens. Many patients don't even realize that they have this condition, and in fact, if the condition is left untreated it can lead to further eye-strain and eye-fatigue.
Some of the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome are dry eyes and comfortable eyes, eye-strain, eye-fatigue, and in some cases even doubling of vision.
In the past five years this technology has evolved, baby-boomers seemed to be more affected by eye-strain and eye-fatigue, and CVS has become more prevalent as a result of that.
We use screens all the time, computers, laptops, BlackBerrys, even our television screens are demanding and can cause eye-fatigue.
Male Speaker: A recent Léger Marketing survey indicates that women baby-boomers aged 45 to 54 are reporting higher usage of eye-straining devices versus male boomers, and as a result of reporting more eye and vision ailments compared to five years ago.
Mary Beth Carter: My eyes were sour. They were dry, they were tired, they were strained, my vision was blurry, and I was getting headaches. I thought it was stress just due to work, but a friend suggested I see my Optometrist.
The Optometrist asked me, when I felt the symptoms? And I explained that I work in front of a computer at the office and then when I go home at night I like to watch TV and use my laptop, and that's generally when my eyes get tired. He has explained that I had CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome), and he made some great recommendations. He suggested that I reduce screen time that I adjust the brightness and the contrast on the monitor, and that I reduce glare reflection. These suggestions really made a difference for me. And now I realized how important it is that I schedule regular routine eye exams with the Optometrist.
Mira Acs: I believe many patients believe that the eye-strain they are experiencing is a normal part of computer use, which is why they need a regular comprehensive eye examination by an Optometrist, not just to have their condition detected, but ultimately to have it treated to alleviate eye-strain and eye-fatigue.
Male Speaker: October is Eye Health Month and the Canadian Association of Optometrists is raising awareness of the importance of routine and comprehensive eye exams. The Canadian Association of Optometrists guidelines state that infants should visit an optometrist by six months, toddlers by three years, annual visits for school-age children and every one to two years for adults, and annually for adults over 65 years of age.
To find an optometrist in your area or for more information on Computer Vision Syndrome, you can visit the Canadian Optometrists Association website at www.opto.ca or call 1 888 263 4676.
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