Do you often experience blurred vision, eyestrain or headaches after being on your computer or smart phone for an extended amount of time? If so, you may be experiencing a condition known as Computer Vision Syndrome. Fortunately, eye doctors have developed a special type of eyeglasses, known as computer glasses, that are made specifically to address the unique needs of those who are on the computer or other electronic devices for extended periods of time each day.
In explaining the benefits of computer glasses, Dr. Small of Armstrong & Small Eye Care Centre in Winnipeg, MB first points out, “Usually, computer screens are positioned around 20-26 inches from your eyes, in what is commonly referred to as your 'intermediate' zone of vision. Because traditional eyeglasses are not made in a way that is conducive to intermediate viewing of the type required by computer work, blurred vision, eyestrain and headaches often result. By comparison, computer glasses are specifically made to emphasize comfortable intermediate viewing, helping your eyes more easily focus on the computer screen with less effort and making computer viewing over an extended period of time noticeably more comfortable.”
Blue light is another important consideration when discussing the need for computer glasses. Dr. Small explains, “Blue light comes from computer screens, televisions and smart phones, and has been known to cause eyestrain, headaches and fatigue. Even more alarming, recent studies also point to growing evidence that blue light exposure has the potential to significantly increase a person's risk of macular degeneration over time. Fortunately, the last few years have seen significant strides in blue light blocking technologies that can be widely applied to make computer glasses even more effective at protecting your eyes.”
Computer glasses are often equipped with specialty lenses, such as BluTech or Nikon SeaCoat Blue, that are meant to reduce or eliminate many of the harmful side effects linked to increased time in front of computers and other electronic devices. This is accomplished by selectively filtering out blue light, which enhances visual comfort and minimizes eyestrain. At the same time, these lenses allow non-harmful light to pass through, allowing for the clearest vision possible.
Specialty lens coatings may also be applied to computer glasses. Among the most popular of these specialty coatings is HOYA Recharge. This special lens treatment reflects about 30% of harmful blue light away from the eye. In conjunction with the specialty lenses mentioned above, HOYA Recharge can help significantly increase the amount of blue light filtered or reflected away from the eye, making computer use noticeably more comfortable.
Armstrong & Small Eye Care Centre recommends the following Computer Glasses with coatings.
- Nikon Online Lens with SeeCoat Blue coating
- Hoya DoctorRecommends Task Lens with Recharge EX3 coating
- Zeiss Office or Digital Lens with DuraVision Blue coating
Computer glasses are an absolute necessity for maintaining both your short term visual comfort and long term visual health as you work and play in a world increasingly dominated by computers and smart phones. For more information about how computer glasses can help you, speak to your eye doctor today.
