What are Anti-Fatigue lenses
Anti-Fatigue lenses are lenses designed to relieve eye fatigue and eye strain.
The top portion of the lens allows us to have a clear distance vision. There will be changes to the lower portion of the lens to help relax the eye muscles and hence to be able to focus more easily and provide comfort when doing near tasks. Some anti-fatigue lenses are ZEISS Smartlife Digital Lenses, Hoya Sync and Essilor EyeZen.
Why do you experience eye fatigue?
Eye fatigue is the feeling of tiredness of your eyes. Eye fatigue is often experienced after prolonged periods of doing near tasks such as reading a book, writing. Our eyes will work harder when performing near tasks. Hence, prolonged hours of doing near work without breaks will cause eye fatigue and sometimes even eye strain.
Eye fatigue can also be due to Computer Vision Syndrome. Computer Vision Syndrome, also known as Digital Eye Strain, occurs when there is a prolonged usage of digital devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets. People who spend two or more continuous hours on digital devices (computer, laptop), are at greater risks of developing Computer Vision Syndrome.
Computer Vision Syndrome
90% of digital device users experience symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (Digital Eye Strain). Studies have shown that the higher the usage of digital devices, the more likely to experience these symptoms. The table below shows more than two third of digital device users experience symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome.
Meister D. Zeiss Digital Lens.
Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome
Up to 90% of digital device users experience symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome.
Ways to relieve eye fatigue
If nothing is done to relieve eye fatigue, more symptoms such as eye strain or headache might occur. This can greatly affect your effectiveness and productivity. Using a low addition power over the distance correction has been recommended as an effective treatment to relieve eye fatigue. Research have shown that after using anti-fatigue (digital) lenses for 2 weeks, 46% of participants do not experience eye fatigue (Meister D.).
| Glasses for near work | Single vision lenses Power of the lens will be adjusted for near work to relax the eye muscles, hence distance will be blurry A pair of distance glasses will be needed for clear distance vision |
| Anti-Fatigue lenses | Top portion of lens for distance Bottom portion of lens will be adjusted for near work to relax the eye muscles |
| Visual breaks (20-20-20 Rule) | Every 20 minutes on near work, spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet away |
In a fast paced living environment, visual breaks seems impossible to be done frequently. Having to switch between two glasses, one for near work and one for distance will also be a hassle and not convenient for majorities. Meanwhile, anti-fatigue lens is able to provide both clear vision for distance and also relax your eye muscle when you are engaging in near tasks in just one pair of glasses.
Who is suitable for Anti-fatigue Lenses
People who experience eye fatigue, eye strain or symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (Digital Eye Strain) when performing near tasks such as students, young adults, working adults, are suitable for anti-fatigue lenses. Anti-fatigue lenses will be able to help relieve the symptoms of prolonged near work and Computer Vision Syndrome. Hence, providing you with a more comfortable near vision which will increase your efficiency and productivity.
Even for people who do not have symptoms of eye fatigue or eye strain, prolonged hours of near tasks can still put a strain on your eyes. Anti-fatigue lenses will help to relax your eyes without you knowing.
Anti-Fatigue Lenses
There are anti-fatigue lenses such as ZEISS Smartlife Digital Lenses, Hoya Sync III and Essilor EyeZen which are available @ Evershine Optical.
- It is designed to provide a comfortable near vision and relieve eye fatigue and discomfort
- The ‘Boost’ zone at the bottom of the lens helps relieve digital eye strain, providing better comfort when performing near tasks.
- Lower portion of the lens provide clearer vision and better comfort when focusing at near for long period of time
The function of these 3 digital lenses are the same, relieving eye fatigue, eye strain and provide a comfortable vision when performing near tasks. However for ZEISS Smartlife Digital Lens, they even take into account age of the customer when designing the lenses. This technology minimizes the distortions (blurriness) at the periphery of the lens. Hence, allowing you to have a wider field of clear vision.
Anti-Fatigue Lenses @ Evershine Optical
To find out the amount of power needed to relax your eyes when performing near tasks, we will need to conduct an eye examination. Before the eye examination is conducted, questions will be asked to understand about your symptoms, whether there are symptoms associated other than eye fatigue such as eye strain or headache.
- Refraction test
- Check eye power for distance and how much reading power is needed for near
- Eye health check
- Assess the health of the front and back part of the eyes
- Binocular vision test
- Check the alignment, strength, flexibility and focusing ability of the eyes
Through the eye examination, we will know whether you are suitable for anti-fatigue lenses and whether it will benefit you. Extra measurements will need to be taken such as the centration of your eyes using ZEISS i Terminal.
References
- Meister D. ZEISS Digital Lens: A New Pre-progressive Lens Designed for Digital Eye Strain. ZEISS.