This article was originally published in a sponsored newsletter.

We have a global dependence on digital devices, and it’s only expected to grow. Indeed, the average number of digital devices per person is expected to increase from 2.4 in 2018 to 3.6 this year.¹ The type of digital device use also matters: Tasks with increased cognitive demand are linked to decreased blink rate, and studies have demonstrated reduced blink frequency and blink amplitude associated with dry eye symptoms in digital device users.² Digital device use is also associated with visual complaints, eye strain, burning, blurred vision, irritation, and meibomian gland dysfunction.²

We are aware of several lifestyle modifications to prevent digital device-associated dry eye such as the 20-20-20 rule, appropriate viewing distance (~90 cm or ~35 inches), downward gaze of 10º, blinking exercises, and a desktop humidifier.² Still, additional management modalities with contact lens wear are being explored.

A recent double-masked, randomized, crossover study evaluated bothobjective and subjective digital visual performance and comfort at near tasks in patients who had low-to-moderate astigmatism.³ Patients with –0.75D to –1.50D of astigmatism were fit randomly with either spherical or toric contact lenses. Measurements obtained at baseline and after one week of contact lens wear included logMAR visual acuity at near (high and low-contrast), automated visual acuity, contrast, zoom, reading distance, reading speed, and critical print size. Patients also completed two validated questionnaires for spherical and toric contact lenses: the Near Activity Visual Questionnaire (NAVQ) and Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire 8 (CLDEQ-8).

Twenty-three patients who were an average age of 24.4 years (74% female) completed the study. With toric contact lenses, automated visual acuity and visual acuity at near in both high and low contrast improved by 3 to 4 letters. Additionally, iPad reading speed increased. Patients were also adept at reading with 8% less contrast, and a smaller number of patientsreported difficulty with reading small print, sustaining near focus, reading labels/instructions and post/mail, and reading computer displays/keyboards. Finally, patients with toric lenses had improved subjective vision on the NAVQ and enhanced comfort on the CLDEQ-8.

Compared to spherical contact lenses, toric contact lenses improve comfort, as well as objective and subjective visual performance with digital devices and other near tasks. Toric contact lenses are helpful for individuals who have low-to-moderate astigmatism and work on digital devices, instead of spherical contact lenses.

REERENCES

1. Statista. Average number devices and connections per person worldwide in 2018 and 2023. Available at https://www.statista.com/statistics/1190270/number-of-devices-and-connections-per-person-worldwide/. Accessed May 18, 2023.

2. Mehra D, Galor A. Digital Screen Use and Dry Eye: A Review. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2020 Dec;9:491-497.

3. Chao C, Skidmore K, Tomiyama ES, Wolffsohn JS, Richdale K. Soft toric contact lens wear improves digital performance and vision-A randomised clinical trial. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2023 Jan;43:25-34.

Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, is the director of optometry at the University of California, Davis in Davis, specializing in anterior segment disease and specialty contact lenses. She is the past president of the Scleral Lens Education Society. She is an advisor to and/or has received honoraria or travel expenses from AccuLens, Alcon, Allergan, Bausch + Lomb, Bruder, Contamac, CooperVision, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Ocusoft, ScienceBased Health, Shire, Tarsus, and Visus Therapeutics.