In the ever-evolving landscape of the digital era, our eyes are working overtime. The amalgamation of screens, smartphones, and computers has birthed the term digital eye strain (DES). Add presbyopia to the mix, and you have a recipe for visual disaster. Recent studies have revealed that the average American spends a staggering 9.7 hours per day staring at screens.¹ DES is the silent nemesis that creeps in during those extended Zoom meetings or marathon Excel spreadsheet sessions. In fact, studies have shown that 65% of people report symptoms of DES, and 40% report feeling tired at least half the time during work, leading to increased task-related errors and ultimately decreased productivity.^¹,²

Our conventional spectacle lens solution to this epidemic is either single-vision computer lenses or progressive lenses. In the workspace, however, these options come with their own set of challenges. Single-vision correction often falls short in providing a range of visual correction for most workspaces, especially in patients older than 50 requiring higher add powers or patients with workspace tasks varying in distances. Progressive lenses are not the ideal companion for prolonged screen time due to their design anatomy. Magnification zones below the line of sight lead to constant head tilting, consequent neck pain (35%), and squinting causing discomfort, all of which adversely affect productivity.³

Enter occupational lenses (a.k.a., workspace lenses, near variable focus lenses) as the million-dollar solution. These designs can be crafted explicitly for each individual’s varying needs, and these lenses seamlessly facilitate the transition between near and intermediate vision. They help software developers to ergonomically work with multiple screens while also being able to see paperwork with ease. They help receptionists prioritize their deskwork, while still being able to greet their arriving clients. By offering enhanced comfort and adaptability, occupational lenses stand as a testament to the precision that modern eye care demands.

Questions for Determining Whether or Not a Patient is a Good Candidate For Occupational Lenses

• Describe your workspace. Do you work on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or multiple screens? Do you move around or are you stationary throughout the day?

• Aside from computer work, do you give or partake in many group presentations?

• Do you experience any discomfort, fatigue, or strain in your eyes while working, especially at the computer?

• Have you ever used progressive lenses, and if so, how comfortable were they for your work-related tasks?

• Do you find yourself adjusting your head position frequently to accommodate different distances?

• Do you often experience neck or shoulder pain, or discomfort during or after extended periods of screen time?

Pro Tips When Recommending Occupational Lenses

• Ask about screen time and genuinely inquire about your patient’s comfort with the current visual solution. Challenge an “it’s fine” response when asking about vision during the workday.

• If a presbyopic patient spends more than 2-3 hours on the computer each day, make sure you really understand how their eyes are dealing with this challenge.

• Provide an illustration to help patients conceptualize why occupational lenses are a better tool to use while working on the computer (see Figure 1).

  • Highlight the difference in “real estate” that each lens technology devotes to working on the computer.

• Inquire about the patient’s workspace set up to be able to provide the best occupational lens design (see Figure 2). Check with your favorite lens lab to see what customization options are available.

• Follow up to ensure your patient is happy with the outcomes of new glasses.

Despite increasing screen time and the plethora of custom lens designs, occupational lenses remain an untapped resource and one of the least popular lens design options utilized.^4,5 Individuals are unaware of the tailored solutions available to enhance their workspace experience. In fact, 41% of adults have never tried, nor do they know how, to treat their DES.⁶ As eyecare professionals, it is our responsibility to educate our patients about solutions, listen carefully to chief complaints, and prescribe this life upgrade from the exam chair. By championing this cause, we could contribute to a paradigm shift by recognizing the vital role of specialized lenses in the evolving needs of our patients. If we embrace these advanced lenses, we could empower our patients to thrive in the digital workspace with enhanced comfort, productivity, and visual acuity. In fact, occupational lenses have been shown to improve symptoms of DES by 80% and increase productivity by 29%.^7,8

References

1. Rosenfield M. Computer vision syndrome (a.k.a. digital eye strain). Optom Pract. 2016;17(1):1-10.

2. Kaur K, Gurnani B, Nayak S, et al. Digital eye strain - a comprehensive review. Ophthalmol Ther. 2022;11(5):1655-1680.

3. Eyes Overexposed: The Digital Device Dilemma. The Vision Council; 2016. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.kodaklens.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/TheVisionCouncil_2016EyeStrain_Report_WEB.pdf

4. Prescription Lens Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Single Vision, Bifocal, Trifocal), By Application (Myopia, Astigmatism), By Coating, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 – 2030. Grand View Research; 2021. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/prescription-lens-market

5. Karp A. Lenses by the numbers: 20/20 website. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://www.2020mag.com/article/lenses-by-the-numbers-2023

6. Digiteyezed: The Daily Impact of Digital Screens on the Eye Health of Americans. The Vision Council; 2013. Accessed January 14, 2024. https://gunnars.fr/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/TVCDigitEYEzedReport2013.pdf

7. Butzon SP, Sheedy JE, Nilsen E. The efficacy of computer glasses in reduction of computer worker symptoms. Optometry. 2002;73(4):221-230.

8. Daum KM, Clore KA, Simms SS, et al. Productivity associated with visual status of computer users. Optometry. 2004;75(1):33-47. 

Disclosures

Dr. Habibi has no relevant disclosures for this article.

Dr. Habibi is a UC Berkeley-trained optometric doctor with a specialized focus on ocular surface disease and specialty contact lenses. She currently is the owner and fellowship director at Ojos Del Mar in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.