You Don't Have To Sacrifice Style For Eye Health

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Experiencing the side effects of looking at digital devices – think computers, smartphones, tablets, televisions and more – is no fun. And not feeling confident in your personal appearance is equally as frustrating. Enter: Glasses with lenses featuring specialized technologies that will not only protect the eyes and combat the symptoms of prolonged digital device usage, but will also keep individuals looking fashion-forward.

The Vision Council will be promoting this message at its official sponsored health lounge at the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, where the film, media, health and technology industries converge annually in Austin, TX. Titled "The Time Out Lounge: Give Your Eyes a Break with The Vision Council," the lounge is open to attending media and conference-goers, and located in the Austin Convention Center from March 10 to March 14. Dr. Justin Bazan, optometrist and medical adviser to The Vision Council, and style expert Jenn Falik will be on-site serving as experts to the media, and will be available for appointments throughout the conference.

According to a survey by The Vision Council – of 9,840 American adults nationwide – more than 87 percent of individuals use digital devices for more than two hours per day, and over 52 percent regularly use two digital devices simultaneously.

However, this screen use can do major harm to the eyes. Digital screens emit blue light, a type of light with short wavelengths that emits a higher energy and penetrates deep into the eye. Research suggests that exposure may result in: exposing the eye to hidden spikes in light intensity; age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts; and suppression of the body's natural release of melatonin. With an increase in digital technology, there has been an increase in blue light exposure. In turn, many individuals suffer from the physical eye discomfort felt after screen use for longer than two hours at a time, also known as digital eye strain. Symptoms include: eye strain, neck and shoulder pain, headache, blurred vision and dry eyes.

According to Dr. Bazan, the eyes are not built to stare at screens all day, as the modern world demands. "Patients underestimate how their technology use may be contributing to eye strain and do not consider ways to reduce this stress," he says.

Luckily, eyewear is available with lenses featuring blue light-filtering capabilities, as well as anti-reflective or anti-glare properties to soften the glare emanating from digital screens, to block blue light, decrease brightness, minimize glare and reduce blurriness/pixilation of screens. Plus, these lenses can be incorporated into any pair of glasses, so individuals don't have to sacrifice style for eye health.

The Vision Council encourages individuals to visit an eyecare provider for an annual eye exam to have their eyes checked, discuss their digital device usage, and ultimately choose glasses with lenses tailored to their unique eye health needs. After all, 68.5 percent of individuals report they have not discussed their digital device usage with their eyecare provider, and 73.5 percent reported they did not know eyewear can be used to protect the eyes from the short- and long-term effects of digital eye strain, as well as blue light exposure.

Seen as a must-have fashion accessory, eyewear is available in an array of styles to suit everyone's personal tastes. The Vision Council recently released its Eyecessorize trend kit highlighting the top eyewear trends for men and women alike for spring/summer 2017. Individuals can check out the trend kit via Eyecessorize.com for inspiration when choosing their next pair of frames. A snapshot of the top eyewear trends includes:

• Eras Recollected – Harking back to the bygone eras – of the '50s, '60s, '70s and even '20s – eyewear takes a deep dive into Eastern European culture for an innovative take on vintage styling;
• New Age Athleticism – With the "athleisure" trend more prevalent than ever, traditionally athletic eyewear follows suit and is made versatile, allowing for frames to be worn during any activity – sporty or not;
• Posh Peculiarity – Celebrating the diverse eccentricity that fashion is built upon, styling from all facets of the fashion industry permeates this trend. Frames are truly enigmas, giving the world a look into things it has never seen before;
• Stark Sophistication – More complex than what meets the eye, springtime's utilitarian frames offer trans-seasonal appeal, delivering clean designs with industrial-inspired details for big impact.

"Glasses aren't just practical, they also serve as a form of expression!" says fashion expert and The Vision Council Ambassador Jenn Falik. "Designers are incorporating eyewear into their collections, encouraging everyone to embrace whatever frames match their personal style. Whether you're looking for a pop of color or a classic frame shape, there's eyewear to match everyone's aesthetic and serve as a finishing touch. Not to mention, almost any style can be outfitted with lenses for screen use that include blue light-filtering and anti-glare properties to protect one's eyes while staying on-trend."

For more information about the health and style benefits of eyewear, visit thevisioncouncil.org. To set up a media appointment with either Dr. Bazan or Jenn Falik, please reach out to the media contacts listed below.

About The Vision Council
Championing better vision for better lives, The Vision Council positions its members for success by promoting growth in the vision care industry through education, advocacy, research, consumer outreach, strategic relationship building and industry forums. By sharing the latest in eyewear trends, advances in technology and advice from eyewear experts, The Vision Council serves as a resource to the public looking to learn more about options in eyeglasses and sunglasses. For more information, visit thevisioncouncil.org.

SOURCE The Vision Council

Related Links

http://thevisioncouncil.org