Britain on brink of a poor vision time bomb
Gazing at screen-based devices 24/7 has put a dangerous strain on our nation's eyes, according to a new report by Optical Express.
The Glaring Truth: the State of the Nation's Eyes, an in-depth report based on a nationwide consumer survey, was commissioned by Optical Express to mark its 21st anniversary as the leading eye care specialists in the UK.
A survey of UK adults set out to test people's perceptions about the importance of eyesight and eye care, their personal lifestyle habits and their level of awareness about the importance of looking after their eyes. Findings pertaining to our increased usage of screen-based technology and its impact on eyesight are particularly alarming.
69% of respondents currently wear prescription glasses or contact lenses. More than one in four adults (26%) said that they had visited an optician because their eyes felt tired from using a PC or watching TV or other screens, with a significantly high percentage of young adults reporting eye strain as a result of using screen-based technology for both work and leisure. Nearly one quarter (22%) of 25-34 year-olds said they had visited an optician because their eyes feel tired when viewing a TV, PC, tablet or phone screen, whilst 17% of 18-24 year-olds said they consulted an optician because their eyes feel tired - more than any other age group.
World-renowned ophthalmic surgeon Steve Schallhorn, Chairman of Optical Express' International Medical Advisory Board (IMAB) and former Head of Refractive Surgery for the US Navy and advisor to NASA, said that the results have verified the fears of the Board members as well as eye care professionals worldwide. He said:
"There is no doubt that daily and prolonged use of screens can have a detrimental impact on eyesight. Our dependence on and usage of screen-based devices is set to increase even further with technological advances and our change in lifestyle. If left unchecked, the UK could face considerable problems with eyesight across the country."
"Our research shows that younger patients, or the "Net Generation" as we call it, are the most at risk. We now have evidence that declining sight problems begins at a much younger age than experienced by previous generations, particularly for those who do not have a genetic pre-disposition or other health problems such as diabetes. We are seeing average, healthy patients develop vision problems at a higher rate than ever before, which, if left unchecked, could lead to serious long term problems," reports Schallhorn.
The fact that growing numbers of young adults are experiencing eye strain and difficulty in seeing middle distance - the 'space' that demands so much of our focus as we view and interact with screens - is hardly surprising when related to the amount of time spent using high-technology screen devices.
According to the survey, many young adults are not only spending the majority of their working days in front of a computer, but also multi-task and view many different screens simultaneously throughout the day and during their leisure time.
63% of 18-24 year-olds revealed that they check their smartphone approximately once every 30 minutes throughout the day and watch TV at home while simultaneously using a laptop, tablet, smartphone or computer. And it's not just the young population who demonstrate such behaviour. 30% of UK adults who wear prescription glasses or contact lenses regularly do the same.
Advances in mobile Wi-Fi and GPS technology are great resources for the demands of fast-paced lifestyles. And when it comes to technology on-the-go, Londoners are by far the biggest 'addicts' with nearly half (42%) saying that when they're on-the-move, they're on their phones, compared with only 21% of respondents in the South West.
Perhaps one of the most important findings of the survey was that it revealed a stark conflict between what people think and what they actually do. In spite of the fact that the overwhelming majority declared eyesight to be the most precious sense - and growing evidence that our modern lifestyle is putting a big strain on our eyes - the number of Britons who regularly get their eyes tested has actually fallen.
Nearly one in five (17%) of people have either never been to an optician or haven't been in the past three years. More than 20% of adults do not know that they should have an eye test every two years. Worryingly, nearly one quarter (22%) of East England respondents, who account for the highest usage of screen-based technologies, admit that they haven't had an eye test in the last three years - the highest of any region.
Although the survey reflected sobering statistics, major innovations in laser eye surgery technologies for correcting vision, provide a positive outlook to UK's vision.
"We have the technology to correct eyesight problems caused by prolonged usage of modern screens. Technology savvy young people are driving demand for laser eye surgery - they are very focused on both seeing better and enjoying the freedom from contact lenses or glasses. This technology allows for potentially better vision than with previous correction, while also reducing overall hassle," said Schallhorn.
"However, regular examinations are still vital to maintain healthy eyes. Optical Express is committed to raising awareness of the importance of protecting eyesight, including preventative measures and corrective eye surgery. It has never been so important as now to ensure that everyone in the UK get their eyes tested at least every two years."
For more information, visit opticalexpress.co.uk.