Blink Rates - A Digital Era Dilemma

Screen-Staring Can Cause Discomfort and Distract from the Visual Experience of that Latest Device Upgrade

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Mar 16, 2015, 08:00 ET

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans spend a whopping 400 minutes per day staring at screens¹, between computers, smartphones, laptops and tablets. It's clear that many of us are dependent on our screens and look to every technology upgrade to enhance our experience, but research shows that the more we stare, the more likely we are to have a less than optimal visual experience.²

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Contact Lenses with MoistureSeal technology product box

61 percent of millennials incorrectly believe that most people blink more frequently when looking at a screen (e.g., computer, smartphone, tablet), according to a survey commissioned by Bausch + Lomb in partnership with Mashable and conducted online by Harris Poll.³ However, the opposite is true with studies showing that people may blink on average 66 percent fewer times^4,5,6 when staring at their digital screens. For the contact lens wearer, this can lead to lens dryness and discomfort.⁷

Nearly 60 percent of millennials upgrade one or more of their technology devices between one to two years after a new version is released yet only 39 percent said they upgrade their contact lens technology in the same timeframe.³

"As innovators, we understand people's commitment to adopting new technology, but know that the discomfort staring at those devices can interfere with optimal vision and contact lens comfort," said Guy Guglielmino, head of marketing, Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb. "Bausch + Lomb is excited to offer a contact lens that is a true technological upgrade. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA^® contact lenses with MoistureSeal^® technology might be the best innovation for today's screen-obsessed consumers as they maintain 95 percent of their moisture for a full 16 hours⁸and provide excellent end-of-day vision and comfort compared to the leading silicone hydrogel lenses,⁹ helping people make the most of their screen experiences."

Technophile and host of GeekBeat.TV, Cali Lewis, took the #ULTRAupgrade challenge and switched to Bausch + Lomb ULTRA^® contact lenses to enhance her digital screen-obsessed lifestyle.

"Like most people, I'm completely addicted to my phone and constantly switching from screen to screen for my job and in my personal life," said Cali Lewis host of GeekBeat.TV. "As a contact lens wearer and lover of all things 'geek chic,' I was very excited to switch to Bausch + Lomb ULTRA^® contact lenses with MoistureSeal^® technology and I can't wait to share how my eyes feel – or should I say NOT feel – because of my upgrade at the end of a long, tech-crazed day!"

Look for Cali's web series about how the digital era is stealing our blinks and her visit to Austin, Texas where she and her fans are completely immersed and interacting with digital devices. Fellow festival attendees are invited to visit the Bausch + Lomb ULTRA^® Lens Lounge where they'll be able to "Get Their Blink On" and learn about the #ULTRAupgrade.

Discover more survey results here and visit ULTRAcontactlenses.com for more information about a free trial of Bausch + Lomb ULTRA^® contact lenses, and share your #ULTRAupgrade story on Facebook and Twitter.

About The Harris Poll
Over the last five decades, Harris Polls have become media staples. With comprehensive experience and precise technique in public opinion polling, along with a proven track record of uncovering consumers' motivations and behaviors, The Harris Poll has gained strong brand recognition around the world. The Harris Poll offers a diverse portfolio of proprietary client solutions to transform relevant insights into actionable foresight for a wide range of industries including health care, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer packaged goods. Contact us for more information.

About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb, a Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. company, is a leading global eye health organization that is solely focused on protecting, enhancing, and restoring people's eyesight. Our core businesses include ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. We develop, manufacture and market one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in our industry, which are available in more than 100 countries.

News Media Contacts:

Kristy Marks
Public Relations Product Manager, Bausch + Lomb
(585) 338-8095 or [email protected]

Don Murphy
Zeno Group, on behalf of Bausch + Lomb
(212) 299-8970 or [email protected]

REFERENCES

¹ Mary Meeker's 2014 internet trends report: all the slides plus highlights: Quartz. http://qz.com/214307/mary-meeker-2014-internet-trends-report-all-the-slides/

² American Optometric Association. Computer Vision Syndrome Symptoms Clinical Care Publications 2013;1: 1-3

³ The online survey, of U.S. adults between the ages 18-34, was conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Bausch + Lomb, makers of Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® Contact Lenses with MoistureSeal® Technology. The survey was fielded in February 2015.

⁴ Gowrisankaran et al. Asthenopia and Blink Rate Under Visual and Cognitive Loads. Optometry and Vision Science, Vol. 89, No. 1, January 2012. pg 97-104

⁵ Patel S, Henderson R, Bradley L, Galloway B, Hunter L. Effect of visual display unit use on blink rate and tear stability. Optom Vis Sci 1991;68:888–92.

⁶ Tsubota K, Nakamori K. Dry eyes and video display terminals. N Engl J Med 1993;328:584.

⁷ Kadence International. "Exploring Contact Lens Drop-Off." 1-27. 2013.

⁸ Schafer, J. and China, P. "16 Hour, Bilateral, Dispensing Clinical Evaluation." R&D Clinical Report. 2013.

⁹ Results from a 22-investigator, multi-site study of Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® contact lenses with MoistureSeal® technology, on 327 current silicone hydrogel lens wearers. After 7 days of wear, subjects completed an online survey. Subjects rated performance across a range of attributes. Preference comparisons represent only those subjects expressing a preference. Ratio is based on the average across the silicone hydrogel lenses represented in the study.

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and MoistureSeal are trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.
Any other product/brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2015 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.
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SOURCE Bausch + Lomb