We recently addressed ways to adapt your optometry practice for the future, highlighting the unmet need for eye health education in consideration of screen time. A new initiative from the American Optometric Association aims to tackle this exact issue by demonstrating how the “technology” that makes up a human eye is more advanced than any device on the market.
This tech outperforms any other device.
Discover the unmatched specs of the human eye and the importance of protecting your vision and overall health with a doctor of optometry. (Source: aoa.org)
Mimicking a product launch for a high-tech device, The Eye website cleverly draws parallels between features of our beloved gadgets and the human eye, which is billed as the “world’s most sophisticated tech.”
It’s a great idea. You know the common lament of a camera being unable to capture a subject as well as the naked eye? This kind of tech comparison perfectly illustrates how powerful and vital one’s vision is, and how essential it is to protect our technological asset.
What is the AOA campaign all about?
The Eye is the third and most recent installment of the AOA’s “Eyes Deserve More” awareness campaign, the thrust of which is to promote eye care as an integral part of overall health and well-being. It launched this past weekend with a multi-day pop-up event in New York City, an immersive and interactive experience for the public complete with exhibits, educational activities, and a large sculpture illustrating each layer and function of the eye.
By making this simple yet profound link — between the power of the eye and the power of our favorite devices — the AOA hopes to encourage an awareness of and dedication to proper eye care.
“The one takeaway that I’d like everyone to have is that incorporating a comprehensive eye exam, just like you would want to update and maintain your technology, is so crucial,” Dr. [Belinda] Starkey said at the conclusion of the panel discussion. “And by doing so you can really enjoy the benefits of your technology but you’re not sacrificing your visual health and your overall health.” (Source: Vision Monday)
Where do you fit in?
Any specific participation in the AOA campaign is up to you, of course. For example, the #EyesDeserveMore hashtag is an easy way for you and your patients to share inspiriting stories and positive experiences with optometrists.
But ODs should all take cues from the impetus behind the AOA campaign: Give people the tools they need to use screens and still keep their eyes healthy.
9 ways to ramp up screen time education at your optometry practice:
When it comes to effective messaging, use tried-and-true techniques: Simplify your tips and include printed and digital resources (catchy infographics, for example). Educational information should be presented in a memorable and straightforward way.
1. Discuss the 20-20-20 Rule
During consultations, explain the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to reduce eye strain. But don’t stop there. Include visual reminders:
- Provide patients with printed and/or digital reminders about it to maximize success.
- Consider making (branded) stickers that your patients can place near screens at home or the office.
- Get conversational and help them figure out the best way to incorporate screen breaks, like setting recurring reminders or alarms.
2. Educate on Digital Eye Strain Symptoms
Make patients aware of the symptoms of digital eye strain/computer vision syndrome and factors that can cause or exacerbate these symptoms: lighting and glare, improper viewing distance, poor posture, etc. In addition to your examination, consider devising interactive tools or quizzes to help patients identify whether they might be experiencing digital eye strain.
3. Incorporate the Topic into Routine Check-Ups
You may already be doing so, but if not, make screen time a routine topic during eye exams. Ask patients about their daily screen use and discuss its potential impact on their vision. Include questions about screen time in patient history forms to initiate conversations about eye health and screen use.
4. Screen Time Recommendations
People are concerned about the impacts of screen time, and you are the authority figure to whom they can turn. Offer recommendations based on age. Take the time to find out your patient’s screen usage background (work, gaming, social media, etc.). Personalize your advice based on their lifestyle and suggest appropriate adjustments.
5. Promote Proper Workspace Setup
There’s nothing like a visual demonstration to illustrate a point. Use in-office demos to show the ideal setup for a patient’s computer, phone, or tablet to minimize eye strain. Give your patients all the ergonomic tips for setting up a workspace properly.
6. Blue Light Mitigation
People are more hip to the concept of blue light and its impacts these days, but in terms of mitigating those effects, we don’t always get to hear from a pro. Suggest specific blue light filters and blue light-blocking glasses. Tell patients which ones are ineffective. Show them how to enable night mode settings on their phones and educate them on brightness settings for screens in general.
7. Provide Educational Materials
Remembering spoken advice from a healthcare professional can be a challenge in the best of circumstances, as we know. Be sure to offer handouts that explain the connection between screen time and eye health and that reiterate the tips you’ve shared in person. Make digital versions for sharing, too. Hint: It’s never been easier for a novice to create an infographic using free, online graphic design tools.
8. Workshops and Seminars
To get your name out there and improve eye health beyond your immediate practice, think about offering workshops or webinars on digital eye strain. You might target those who are particularly vulnerable to it, like students, remote workers, or gamers. Another approach is to partner with local schools, libraries, or workplaces to educate the community on managing screen time and protecting eye health.
9. Social Media and Online Platforms
Reach a broader audience by sharing tips, infographics, and articles about screen time and eye health on your social platforms. It’s a good idea to dedicate a section of your practice’s website to screen time education — include articles, videos, and interactive tools that you can link back to in your social posts.
Through it all, a consistent part of your messaging should be emphasizing the importance of regular eye exams to monitor changes in vision that may be related to increased screen time. Keep it positive and educate people on the benefits of early intervention in preventing or managing conditions like myopia.
