Doctors say there is too much staring and not enough blinking among Americans, and it is resulting in an annoying condition called “computer vision syndrome.” This syndrome is not one defined disorder, but a collection of symptoms that are affecting people young and old who work, study, and play in front of a screen. Industry officials believe it’s more widespread than repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal-tunnel syndrome.

42 percent of respondents in a recent nationwide survey say they use a computer or hand-held device for three or more hours a day.  Most people fail to blink or take enough breaks, their lights are too bright and their computer screens are positioned incorrectly, with the result that about three-quarters of the computer users report eye problems.

The solutions are simple, but not always easy to implement: 1) Take a “vision break” for a few seconds every ten minutes: close your eyes or stare at some distant object out the window or across the room to relax your focusing muscles. 2) Remember to blink enough. We should blink every five seconds in order to keep our eyes properly healthy and moist. When we are concentrating on a screen, we on average blink only once every ten seconds, which can cause the eyes to become dry and fatigued, also blurring the vision. 3) Be aware of the angle of your computer screen and your distance to the screen. Sitting closer to the screen causes more eye fatigue.

Andrew Caster MD – Caster Eye Center:  Excellence in Laser Vision Correction of Nearsightedness · Farsightedness · Astigmatism

A note from Dr. Caster:

Lasik laser vision correction is one of the great medical advances of our time. Although you may have lived most of your lifetime with poor vision, you can now have this painless five-minute treatment and literally walk out without glasses or contact lenses. There is really no other medical procedure which combines such a profound improvement with lack of pain and very rapid recovery. I had my own nearsightedness and astigmatism corrected with Lasik in 1996, and I have enjoyed wonderful vision ever since.

I have been an ophthalmologist for almost twenty five years, but for the past twelve years I have dedicated my practice exclusively to Lasik laser vision correction. This specialization is one of the keys to our great results. When you apply all of your talent and energies in one focused area, you learn how to do it very, very well.

No one has technology that surpasses us. We have three different lasers to choose from, including our favorite, the WaveLight Allegretto. We perform all variations of laser vision correction, including Lasik, IntraLase, PRK, and Lasek. All treatments at the Caster Eye Center use Custom wavefront technology.

Laser vision correction is not right for everyone. We will only perform your treatment if we are confident that we can obtain excellent results. We advise 30% of our patients not to have laser vision correction, because they are not ideal candidates. If a different procedure is more appropriate for you, we will refer you to a top specialist in that particular technique.

One of the most important aspects of medicine is the caring approach of the doctor. A doctor who really cares will spend time talking to the patient. The truly caring doctor will use only the best equipment, will be extremely meticulous in all aspects of measurement and treatment, and will insist on having only superbly trained staff. When you speak with us, when you visit our office, and when you have your treatment, you will see the experience and the caring attitude. And you will appreciate the difference each day thereafter as you enjoy your new vision.

I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,
Andrew I. Caster, MD, FACS