MAPLE RIDGE, British Columbia, Dec. 14, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maple Ridge Eye Care is working to increase awareness about those affected by computer vision syndrome. By increasing awareness, the Maple Ridge optometry practice hopes to help everyone achieve healthy, comfortable vision while using a computer or other electronic device. Many people work with computers on a daily basis, and a large number of people spend several hours a day looking at bright computer screens, often in excess of eight or more hours. According to recent research, these devices can have a significant impact on an individual's eyesight, causing fatigue, eyestrain, blurred vision and headaches.
National optometric associations define computer vision syndrome as a range of eye and vision-related issues arising from prolonged computer use. According to recent studies, the symptoms appear to be more pronounced with extensive computer use.
"We're seeing a large number of cases of computer vision syndrome in recent months," says Maple Ridge Eye Care optometrist Dr. M. Hurlbert. "Everyone uses computers or phones. It can't be helped. Telling people to reduce their screen time isn't going to work in today's world. So we've got to find an alternative solution that allows patients to continue to use their computers comfortably."
Maple Ridge Eye Care is providing patients with comprehensive vision care aimed at reducing the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. Additionally, the optometrists at the clinic are working to educate patients about how poor lighting, improper posture, screen glare and other vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness can also contribute to or exacerbate the symptoms of computer vision syndrome.
At Maple Ridge Eye Care, each patient is asked a number of lifestyle questions in an effort to determine if they are suffering from computer vision syndrome. One of the optometrists at the practice then performs a customized refraction that determines the best vision for the patient's work station distances.
"There are varied options available now," Dr. Hurlbert continues. "It's not just being satisfied with standard reading glasses. We test and retest patients to create customized lenses that are designed to eliminate the symptoms of computer vision syndrome. The right eye focusing ability might be different from the left eye, the eye muscles may be slightly misaligned necessitating the use of custom prism lenses and we also prescribe computer monitor specific blue-violet antiglare coatings to increase visual comfort. If dry eyes occur as a result of long periods staring at the monitor, we will diagnosis and treat this as well."
At Maple Ridge Eye Care, testing for computer vision syndrome is conducted alongside a full eye health examination and a comprehensive vision examination. More information about computer vision syndrome and the services offered by the practice are available on the practice website: http://mapleridgeeyecare.ca.