Fact and Data

Did you know that your digital devices can cause adverse effects on you and your body?

Staring at digital devices such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones are the primary causes of digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome and other eye-related issues.

HOW DOES DIGITAL EYE STRAIN AFFECT YOU?

Digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome can cause symptoms such as dry eyes, blurry vision, visual stress, eye fatigue, and headaches. Not to mention the effects of blue light, which can cause sleeplessness, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration.

Did you know that 70% of Americans today currently suffer from some form of digital eye strain?

The natural solar light spectrum

DIGITAL DEVICE ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SPECTRUM

HEV blue light penetration

Amount of HEV blue light blocked

BLUE LIGHT BLOCKED BY GUNNAR

COMPETITIVE COMPARISON

According to the VSP® Vision Service Plan

VSP® Vision Care survey on youth and digital device use

In a recent VSP® Vision Care survey on youth and digital device use, the findings show that by the time the average American child reaches age 17, their eyes will have spent the equivalent of nearly six years looking at digital devices.

• More than half of parents (58 percent) are either only slightly or not at all aware of blue light and its potentially harmful impacts on vision, and overall health.
• Only 10 percent of parents reported that they had taken steps to reduce their family’s blue light exposure.
• Nearly two-thirds of parents think their family spends too much time on digital devices, and nearly half of parents (44 percent) went as far as to say their kids are addicted to digital devices.
• Parents reported spending almost half their waking hours looking at screens (about 61 hours per week).
• Only 13 percent of parents ranked their family’s vision as the top concern when asked what concerns them most about digital device usage.
• Almost half (49 percent) of parents currently have or used to have limitations on children’s daily device usage, but said those rules aren’t enforced.
• The average 13-year-old owns three digital devices and gets about 70 hours of screen time per week.
• VSP optometrists report a 50% increase in digital eye strain and effects from blue light exposure over the last few years. They’re also seeing a 38 percent increase in blue light exposure effects among kids.

According to a work productivity study on GUNNAR

During an independent study conducted at three eye care professional locations, over 150 patients were interviewed before and after using GUNNAR Technology Eyewear throughout a multi-week test involving intense computer use. The study showed the following results.

• 100% of the patients reported improved ease of viewing
• 96% of the patients reported reduction in eye strain
• 90% of the patients would recommend the use of GUNNAR eyewear
• 80% of the patients reported their eyes were less tired when wearing GUNNARs
• 79% of the patients said that wearing GUNNAR eyewear increased their productivity

According to the Vision Council of America

Vision Council of America 2016 Eye Strain Study

According to the latest study, the Vision Council estimates that 65% of Americans suffer from digital eye strain in one form or another. The Vision Council recommends computer glasses that are specially designed for optimizing vision when viewing content on screens, and can be provided with or without a prescription. Users experience more relaxation, sharper focus, and reduced blurriness and pixilation, which can cause discomfort unless corrected. The lens designs allow the eyes of adults and children to relax, adjusting to intermediate-distance objects and reducing glare during prolonged use of digital devices.

Their findings:

• 224 million Americans currently experience some sort of Digital Eye Strain
• 138 million Americans now regularly read on digital devices
• 89 million Americans spend 10+ hours a day on digital devices
• 85 million American adults spend half their waking hours on a digital device
• 17 million 10 to 17 year olds use a digital device three hours or more a day
• 9 million 9 to 14 year olds suffer from technology-induced sleep disorders

Vision Council of America, Vision in Business Study 2007

According to a report from the Vision Council of America; vision claims and disorders carry a hefty price tag for employers, and result in a marked decrease in productivity costing businesses an estimated $8 billion annually.

Results showed:

• Computer eyestrain is the number one office-related complaint in the U.S., affecting more than 140 Million people
• Every year, vision disorders account for more than $8 billion in lost productivity, and uncorrected vision can decrease employee performance by as much as 20 percent
• Nearly 90 percent of those who use a computer at least three hours a day suffer from vision problems associated with computer eye strain

According to the American Optometric Association (AOA)

According to the AOA, the most frequent health complaints among computer workers are vision-related. Studies indicate that 50 to 90 percent of computer users suffer from symptoms of computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain. These symptoms include eye strain, dry eyes, eye irritation, blurred vision and double vision.

With more and more of us using a computer at work, CVS is becoming a major public health issue. The AOA reports that a survey of optometrists found that approximately 10 million eye exams are performed annually in the United States due to vision problems related to computer use.

According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

A Study by the UAB School of Optometry: Worker Productivity and computer vision

A study conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry on worker productivity and computer vision care amoung.

Providing computer vision care to all employees who use computers, even those who are not experiencing CVS symptoms, results in significant productivity gains and cost savings for employers. The study showed 19% increased productivity for those using computer eyewear.

The study showed a direct correlation between proper vision protection and productivity. Employees performing tasks with particularly demanding visual requirements, such as accounting, document editing, electronic design and engineering, were more more productive when using computer eyewear.

The study also showed a direct correlation between proper vision correction and the time required for a computer worker to perform a task. Computer-related tasks took much longer when the subjects did not wear specific computer eyewear.

Musculoskeletal problems, which may be caused by computer-related vision problems, can potentially be minimized or eliminated by including computer vision care to employees.
A computer vision benefits program likely will also lower incidence of workers’ compensation claims among computer users therefore reducing costs.

There are a lot of choices to help with digital eye strain available. It is best to understand the difference.

GUNNAR Lens Specifications

• Lenses have a high ABBE value of 51 to minimize visual distortion
• Lenses medium index of refraction (1.51)
• Amber lenses filter 65% of harmful blue light at 450nm
• Amber lenses let in good blue light from 465nm to 500nm to promote cognitive and memory function
• AR coatings reduce glare and reflections
• Filter 100% of UVA and UVB light
• Crystalline lens has an 88% blue light transmission
• Amber lens has an 35% blue light transmission
• Grey sunglass lens has an 15% light transmission