March-April. 2025 | The HEALTH

• Exploring the link between astigmatism and digital eye strain and the importance of effective vision correction

• Innovation contacts lenses technology revolutionising astigmatism correction to mitigate digital eye strain

• Continues education for eye care professionals to combat digital eye strain in an increasingly screen-dominated world

BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN

Johnson & Johnson( J & J) Vision Care Korea Professional Education & Development Head, Youngwan Lee, offered valuable insights into the relationship between astigmatism and digital eye strain( DES), highlighting the critical need for awareness and intervention.

DIGITAL EYE STRAIN & ASTIGMATISM

DES, according to Lee, is a condition characterised by a range of eye and vision problems that arise from prolonged use of digital devices.

He described the symptoms, which include“ eye discomfort and fatigue, dry eye, blurry vision”, and noted that these issues can be significantly aggravated by uncorrected astigmatism.

“ Uncorrected astigmatism makes your eyes strain even more to see clearer,” he explained, indicating that individuals with this refractive error are particularly vulnerable to experiencing severe symptoms of DES.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CORRECTION

Lee emphasised the critical importance of correcting astigmatism to alleviate its impact on DES, pointing out that education is key in this process. Patients must be made aware of how astigmatism affects their vision and the available options for correction.

He explained:“ It has been found that not every patient is aware of toric contact lenses in the market.” This suggests a considerable gap in patient education regarding effective treatments.

Additionally, he urged eye care professionals( ECPs) to enhance their fitting practices for toric contact lenses, especially for patients with low degrees of astigmatism.

“ Practitioners are already doing a good job in prescribing toric contact lenses,” he acknowledged.

However, he pointed out that there is significant room for improvement, particularly for those with low amounts

of astigmatism, which are more likely to cause strain than higher astigmatism.

Despite this, many practitioners tend to prefer masking with spherical lenses for patients with astigmatism levels equal or lower than-0.75, potentially leaving these individuals at risk for increased discomfort and strain.

The Covid-19 pandemic seems to have drastically altered screen usage patterns. Lee mentioned, referring to Jobson Optical Research( Jan 2021), that the research showed many practitioners reported more patients are reporting issues related to screen time. Correcting astigmatism is becoming more important and critical for patients.

To minimize a number of people who are navigating their daily lives

Youngwan Lee with uncorrected astigmatism, the awareness of toric contact lenses needs to be improved and practitioners should be more active on fitting toric contact lenses.

CONTACT LENSES TECHNOLOGY

Technological advancements in contact lenses design are pivotal in managing the effects of DES for astigmatic patients. Unlike spectacles, which maintain lens stability, toric contact lenses can rotate in the eye, potentially inducing unwanted astigmatism.

Lee explained that recent innovations aim to minimise this rotation, allowing for proper correction and clearer vision.

“ Advancements in contact lenses technology have managed to minimise this rotation so that toric contact lenses can correct astigmatism properly.”

J & J distinguishes itself with innovative design feature aimed at stabilising toric contact lenses. The“ eyelid stabilising design” has four stabilising zones to prevent rotation.

Lee elaborated:“ This design with four stabilising zones at the corners interacts with the blinks to stabilise the contact lenses”.

Patients are advised to seek the advice of ECPs when considering toric contact lenses.

This development is particularly significant, given that individuals blink approximately 13,000 times a day, a factor that can significantly affect contact lenses positioning.

CONTINUOUS EDUCATION

Continuous education plays a vital role in equipping ECPs with the knowledge necessary to combat DES effectively.

“ Education is always important because you need to learn every day,” Lee stressed.

He highlighted that staying informed about the latest advancements in technology and treatment options will help ECPs serve their patients better.

“ As professionals, we must inform and help the patients with the right solutions,” he asserted, highlighting the need for practitioners to be proactive in their education.

J & J is committed to fostering this educational environment. " We are dedicated to delivering comprehensive learning resources and updates on the latest advancements in eye health care for ECPs eager to stay sharp and enhance their patient care," stated Lee.

As screen time continues to rise, the interplay between astigmatism and digital eye strain remains a pressing issue. Lee’ s insights highlight the need for improved patient education and corrective measures to alleviate the symptoms of DES. – The HEALTH

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