Our Vision in Today’s High Tech World

Ask the Optician
Your optical questions answered by Joel C. Wolf licensed Optician and owner of Village Opticians

What are Digital High Definition Lenses?

You could think of digital high definition lenses as a tailor for your eyes. Meaning, just like you can take an off-the-rack dress or suit and have it customized to fit your specific measurements perfectly, you can now have lenses custom made for your specific prescription and frames.

Digital high-definition lenses, are fabricated using computer-controlled equipment that is much more precise than conventional tools. This process uses computerized design and surfacing equipment to create high-level, customized eyeglass lenses with your unique prescription. Digital Lenses represent the latest frontier in lens technology, resulting in a lens that provides sharper image quality, better peripheral vision, and less glare at night.

Think about the first time you saw high-definition television. Remember how it made your old analog TV picture seem dull and blurry? High-definition made your television picture brighter, shapes sharper, and brought everything keenly into focus. Now imagine having the same experience with your glasses. That is what digital high definition lenses offer you.

What glasses should I be wearing while I’m working on my computer?

The best answer to this question is: “computer glasses”.

These are glasses made with a prescription lens that properly addresses the distance (or distances) you personally need addressed. This could be solely the distance between you and the computer screen or both the computer screen and the keyboard distances, depending on your personal situation. These computer glasses can also have an anti-reflective coating applied to the lenses that would increase your comfort level and reduce eyestrain.

These lenses can be placed in either a newly selected frame or one of your older frames that you are no longer using.

Are all my computer screens and high tech devices damaging my eyes?

         The extent to which computer screens damage eyesight is somewhat unclear, but there are a couple of known facts about the discomfort we call eye strain, that some people experience after focusing on these devices for an extended period of time. First, eyestrain from prolonged computer use is a fact, though some people are more susceptible to it than others. Second, it can usually be prevented or relieved in a few easy steps.

         It will be helpful to know and recognize the symptoms that often show up as a result of this type of eyestrain. It will probably start with a little soreness. Then, it may progress to dry eyes, blurred vision and even headaches. As soon as you recognize these symptoms, immediately taking a ten to 15 minute break will usually diminish the discomfort. If possible, break up computer tasks and non-computer tasks throughout the day as much as possible.

         LCD screens tend to cause a lot less eyestrain than traditional computer screens. A screen of any type that is set on too high a "brightness setting" can increase the frequency and intensity of eyestrain.

         Fortunately, the condition we know as "eyestrain" resulting from the use of computer screens tends to be a short-term situation. Once the eyes are rested, the symptoms will quickly go away. However, if the eyes are not sufficiently rested, the symptoms may return rather quickly. So my suggestion to you is to take ample time to give your eyes a break when performing tasks that require constant and prolonged focusing on your high tech device screens.

As always I hope I have enlightened a few of you and addressed some interesting topics.