health & wellness

A) 1

The St. Joe's
Experience

Digital
Fallout

14

Computers, cell phones can cause
eye strain, but no permanent damage.

Ruthan Brodsky

I Contributing Writer

e live in an extraordinary age
in which we use a myriad
of digital devices to chat
with others across continents, to read
books online, to video conference with
co-workers or simply keep in touch with
grandchildren in multiple states.
As the ubiquity of these devices —
computer tablets, smartphones and
other hand-held products designed for
reading and close-range use — becomes
more common, there is concern that
over time, symptoms of fatigue, irrita-
tion and general vision problems will
increase.
Released at the 2015 January
Consumer Electronics Show in Las
Vegas, the 2014 Digital Eye Strain
Report by the Vision Council states that
Americans look at their mobile phones
an average of 100 times a day. According
to the council, which represents manu-
facturers and suppliers for the optical
industry, 95 percent of Americans spend
two or more hours a day using personal
digital devices.
Digital eye strain, as defined by the
council, is the physical discomfort felt
after two or more hours in front of a
close- to mid-range distance of a digital
screen such as desktop, laptop, computer,
tablet, e-reader or cell phone. The study
reported that 61 percent of Americans
say they experience eye problems that
include dryness, irritation and blurred
vision.
The good news is there is no evidence
of permanent damage to the eye using
digital products.
"A common cause for eye strain using
digital products is that the average per-
son blinks about 18
times per minute, but
looking at a screen
causes blink rates to
reduce, often resulting
in dry, itchy or burn-
ing eyes and blurred
vision;' explains
Dr. Howard
Howard Neff, M.D.,
Neff
service chief of oph-
thalmology at Henry
Ford West Bloomfield Hospital and med-
ical director of Laser Vision Correction
centers. "If the patient already has a

W

problem with dry eyes, using digital
products is likely to make these symp-
toms worse.
"I advise my patients to take frequent
breaks and catch the problem early
before it gets worse Neff says. "I recom-
mend using artificial tears frequently
to lubricate the eyes, especially in the
winter. I also tell patients to take a break
when they're on their device for some
length, close their eyes or do something
different so that they're not watching the
screen.
"In some ways, technology also helps
to moderate some of these symptoms
because the reader has the ability to
increase the font or print size on most
devices and you can't do that reading a
newspaper; he says. "Technology also
lets us adjust the contrast so that the text
is easier to read. Plus computer glasses
are now available that can also reduce
the glare.
Laurence Cutler, president of Omni
Information Systems, a computer tech-
nology sales and support company in
West Bloomfield, says he has very few
customers who complain about eye
strain.
"I'm not one of those people who are
online 24/7 so I've never experienced any
strain, although on occasion my eyes do
get tired and I take a break," Cutler says.
"The display qualities of screens are
so refined these days that I have never
heard a complaint from the clerical and
office data workers I encounter. Twenty
years ago, there used to be anti-glare
screens but the resolution is so much
improved that those type of screens are
no longer needed, although you can
still purchase anti-glare screen coatings.
However, I do know customers who
wear computer glasses when working:'

Ergonomics At Play

According to Dr. Max Gottesman, 0.D.,
optometrist and one of the owners of
Roland Optics in
Bloomfield Hills, a
primary reason for
digital eye strain is
that a person's working
environment is not
ergonomically sound.
"Symptoms of
Dr. Max
irritated eyes, blurry
Gottesman
vision and fatigue

Digital Fallout on page 34

For Exceptional Stroke Care,
Visit St. Joe's

A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of
the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called
a "brain attack" and is considered a medical
emergency. When you or a loved one has a
stroke, call 911 and get to an emergency room
immediately.
If blood flow is cut off for longer than a few
seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen,
Ramesh Madhavan,
and can result in a stroke. A stroke can take two
MD, DM
forms: a clot or a bleed in the brain and if not
treated quickly, you can suffer brain damage or
death.
There is hope if you receive timely, specialized
treatment. For the best, technologically
advanced stroke treatment, come to the leader in stroke care—St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
(SJMO). As the home base of the Michigan Stroke Network (MSN), SJMO has top stroke
specialists—vascular and interventional neurologists, a neuro intensivist, neurosurgical and
neuroendovascular specialists, neuroscience nurses and other clinicians—to treat your stroke
and restore your quality of life.
St. Joe's stroke specialists use the latest treatments to resolve a stroke. In some cases, a
clot-busting drug can dissolve the stroke. In more severe cases, an interventional procedure is
performed using the latest technology, such as stent retrievers, to remove the clot and restore
blood flow to the brain.
In 2004, SJMO, a member of the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, became Michigan's
first certified primary stroke center. This laid the foundation for the MSN, which was launched
in October 2006 by Trinity Health and SJMO. The MSN provides technologically advanced
stroke care not only at St. Joe's, but also to more than 30 partner hospitals throughout
Michigan via telemedicine, using two-way, audio-visual robotics to provide remote clinical
health care. The MSN works in partnership with the Wayne State University Physicians Group
to provide access to stroke care, ongoing clinical trials and stroke research across Michigan.
"To prevent a stroke, follow a healthy diet, reduce your sodium intake, keep your cholesterol
and blood pressure down, exercise and don't smoke," says Ramesh Madhavan, MD, DM, an
SJMO vascular neurologist and Medical Director of Telemedicine.
Dr. Madhavan also advises for protection from a stroke, know your risk factors and the signs
and symptoms of stroke. Visit www.michiganstrokenetwork.com to learn more.
Be aware of the the acronym FAST to remember the signs of a stroke:
F: Face numbness or tingling
A: Arm weakness or paralysis
S:Speech abnormality
T:Time is critical
"By knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you can help save a loved one," says
Dr. Madhavan.

By Jack Weiner,
President and CEO
St. Joseph Mercy
Oakland

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June 25 • 2015

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