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Eye Care Center

207 Russell St. Hadley Ma. 01035 

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  • By 7044469106
  • •
  • 30 Sep, 2017
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What is Digital Eye Strain?

Is Digital Eye Strain the 21st Century’s Black Plague?

In our current lexicon of overusing extreme adjectives like “epic” or adding “-magedon” to an event, like three inches of snow, it becomes difficult to figure out what is a real problem versus what is hype. I am not in “hype mode” when I say that digital eye strain is an epidemic and becoming pandemic in our modern digital society.

First, I will admit to taking liberties with the definitions. However, there are no better words to choose from. Being addicted to our phones, tablets, games, and screens is not a disease, though the societal influences have infectious traits. The iPhone just celebrated its 10th birthday, and addiction to it has spread over time. However as a piece of technology infiltrating our society and changing our behavior, that is a relative short time as compared to when the radio, TV, and personal computer influenced people's behaviour prior to their existence.

Digital Eye Strain Will Not Kill Anyone. So Why Care?

In my office the most common complaint related to digital eye strain is fluctuation of vision. Why is this happening? The focusing eye muscles are stressed with near demand -- that is looking at screens 12 to 24 inches away. It is inherently difficult to focus on a screen due to the nature of the blue light they emit. So while the eyes are searching for a target (back lit screen) to lock on to, they become even further stressed. This excessive repetitive motion leaves the muscle with the inability to relax and this is further exacerbated by creating a muscle memory response. Thus the eye muscles are consistently active in their “near state.”

You can simulate temporary muscle memory with the “floating arms trick.” Stand in a narrow doorway (like a pantry). Press the backs of your wrists against the door frame as hard as you can for a minute. Then step away from the doorway, letting your arms fall limp to your sides. Except they won’t! They will “float” up away from your body. Essentially your eyes are “pushing” on the screen hour after hour. When your head physically moves away from the screen your eyes still think they are in front of the screen and thus, fluctuating vision due to accommodative lock up.

Will all of our patients endure needless suffering due to digital eye strain-magedon? Only if we let them!

Common questions answered

By 7044469106 • 07 Feb, 2020

Some common misconceptions

For our first blog, I want to clear up some common misconceptions that tend to float around concerning eye care.

Q: Why do I ‘have’ to see an eye doctor every two years?

      A: There are a lot of things an eye care professional can detect during an eye exam. Diabetes, glaucoma, early stage macular degeneration is but a few. Since the eyes do not have pain receptors, there is very little to let us know there are issues going on.

Diabetes is detectable due to changes in the structure of the eyes as it effects tissue and blood vessels. Did you know that when we look at the back of the eyes, we can tell if you have high blood pressure? Almost all of these can be addressed and treated or referred out during your appointment time. If caught early, these can be treated and monitored.

The two-year exam review is how we can keep your eyes in good health. And sometimes doctors will want you back yearly. This is most often because they are monitoring you for changes such as cataracts or glaucoma.

Q: I just got my new prescription; do I have to buy from my doctor?

    A: Just as a prescription from your primary care physician, you are free to go wherever you wish to         fill it.

  Most optical shops at your doctor’s office can be limited in space and selection. A quick google search can direct you to locations that specialize in wide ranges of styles and colors. They can also help with first time progressive wearers, safety glasses for work or play as well as many specialized activities like sports as well as specialty lenses for computer use, after cataract surgery and some forms of migraines to name a few.

You only have one pair of eyes, take care of them!

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