Eye Strain induced by viewing computer screens and other digital devices is an epidemic. There is no doubt that eye strain is multifactorial but one of the factors is flicker and excessive brightness from LED backlight screens. Virtually all LED screens create extra flicker as the light intensity is reduced. The BenQ range of computer screens is now being upgraded to flicker free technology. Combined with its Reading Mode backligh, thist will take away one of the significant eye strain contributors. This presentation discusses many of the factors of eye strain and some of the possible solutions. What is clear today is that computer screen induced eye strain not only harms our well-being but also our productivity in the work place. Ultimately most of the eye strain issues that we are experiencing today come from our computer screens. It makes sense to at least consider upgrading our screens to a better technology, especially since computer screens are so affordable now.

1. EyeStrain…
In Today’s Digital World
Dr Jim Kokkinakis
BOptom, FAAO, FISCLS, GCOT

2. BEFORE WE START
LET’S GET THINGS ON THE TABLE

4. Causes of Eye Strain
• Air-conditioning
• Dietary problems
• Eye muscle
imbalance
• Insufficient blinking
• Poor lighting

5. Causes of Eye Strain
• Incorrect
positioning of:
– computer screens
– keyboards or
– desk or chair
• Quality of the
Computer screen

6. So What is the Common
Theme Here?
IT AIN’T
ROCKET SCIENCE!

7. Computer Screens
• CRT
• PLASMA
• LCD
• LED
• OLED
• What the …?

8. Evolution of Computer
Screens
• Thinner & thinner
• Combined with:
– Better response
– Better colour
– Better contrast
Currently LED
Light Emitting Diode

9. They Use Less Energy
• That’s great but…
• LED screens:
– Are very bright!
– To reduce light
intensity
– Most screens
induce “Flicker”

10. PLUS…
• We now have:
– Computer Vision
Syndrome!
– CVS
• Minimising this is
important
• Why?

11. Computer Vision Syndrome
• Is similar to RSI
• Repetitive Strain
Injury
• Sore Neck
• Sore Back
• Sore Eyes

12. CVS is associated with
• An Epidemic of
Myopia
• Reduced
productivity in the
workplace

13. What are the Statistics?
Prevalence of myopia in Taiwanese
schoolchildren: 1983 to 2000.
Lin LL, et al. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2004
1983 2000
7 Year Olds 5.8% 21%
12 Year Olds 36.7% 61%
15 year olds 64.2% 81%
High Myopia 10.9% 21% (18yrs old)
WHAT
DOES THIS
MEAN?

14. Statistics
• American Optometry Association
• Relieving Eye Strain can improve
workplace productivity by up to 30%

15. LED Safety and Eyes
“There is a concern that white LEDs
are now capable of exceeding safe
limits of the so-called blue-light
hazard…”

16. So Why Are We Here For?
TO REDUCE THE
EPIDEMIC OF EYE
STRAIN

17. So Where Do We Start?

18. Let’s List It Out
• Computer Screen
• Eye Test
– Glasses?
– Muscle Imbalance?
– Colour/Light Sensitivity?
• Blinking
• Lubrication

19. Computer Screens
• Most new screens are
LED based
• It is preferable to
eliminate flicker
• And reduce the light
intensity

20. The Solution

21. Sometimes we need to go
back to go forward…
• Using a BenQ
Flicker Free Monitor
With Reading Mode
• Simulates reading
from paper
• A more natural
reading experience!