Leading academics to take deep dive into Computer Vision Syndrome and blue-light filtering lenses during O=MEGA23/WC04
With a recent finding that Australians engage in an average of five and a half hours of screen time per day, two leading academics from the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne will address the hot topic of blue-light filtering lenses and whether they are useful for managing Computer Vision Syndrome at the upcoming O=MEGA23/WCO4 conference in September.
A/Profs. Andrew Anderson and Laura Downie’s presentation Computer Vision Syndrome: Do Blue-light Filtering Lenses (and Other Therapies) Help? will expand on their 2021 research, published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, by further examining what is known about blue light-blocking ophthalmic devices and other approaches that have been studied for managing computer vision syndrome.
“While our research has shown that spectacle lenses with blue-light blockers represent about one-third of all prescribed glasses, scientific evidence does not support the notion that wearing blue-light blocking lenses is effective in preventing eye strain caused by digital devices,” said A/Prof Anderson.
According to Anderson, the concerns surrounding excessive screen time and its impact on the eyes arise from the belief that because blue light wavelengths possess higher energy, the threat posed to vision is significant.
“The light emitted by computer screens falls well within safe levels and poses no significant risk to eye health. The most powerful source of blue light we are exposed to on a day-to-day basis is the sun, and so it is important that often over-hyped information about the risks from computer screens does not distract patients from ensuring they take appropriate care in the sun - for example, limiting their exposure and using appropriate sunglasses.
Optometrists serve a crucial role in appropriately educating patients in this regard and providing them with spectacles and sunglasses that meet relevant Australian standards.”
A/Prof Downie noted that a wide variety of different approaches had been studied as possible management strategies for computer vision syndrome, ranging from different forms of optical aids, to systemic vitamin supplementation and even yoga.
"Based on our comprehensive consideration of the best-available research evidence from randomised controlled clinical trials, our 2022 systematic review published in Ophthalmology did not find high-certainty evidence to support the use of any therapy studied to date for treating computer vision syndrome,” A/Prof Downie said.
A/Profs. Anderson and Downie’s presentation at O=MEGA23/WCO4 will take place on Saturday, 9th September in The Eureka room at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9am – 10am.
The biennial O=MEGA event is the optometry industry's biggest event in the Southern Hemisphere and in 2023, it will combine with the World Congress of Optometry. This partnership will create a unique alignment and a rare opportunity to combine a national and international program to showcase the largest optometric event in the region. For more program information: https://www.omega-event.org/program
To further support parents attending the event, O=MEGA23/WCO4 will offer a creche service run by qualified staff for the duration of the clinical program, with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for little ones included in the cost. For more creche information, https://www.omega-event.org/creche-1
Various social functions are also on the itinerary for conference delegates and include the Welcome Reception (Friday evening, 8 September) and the Meet and Greet Down Under event (Saturday evening, 9 September), which will run concurrently with The Koorie Market @ Naarm.
Creating a wonderful opportunity for the optometric community to connect with Aboriginal communities, the Koori Market @ Naarm will showcase Indigenous and First Nations work, businesses, wares and musical talent, celebrating and uplifting their culture. For more social event information: https://www.omega-event.org/social-functions
-ENDS- Media contact, Australia: Katie Quirk – +61 499 773 329 – k.quirk@optometry.org.au
About Associate Professor Andrew Anderson
Andrew Anderson qualified as an optometrist from The University of Melbourne in 1993, after which he completed Masters (1997) and PhD (2000) training. He subsequently undertook post-doctoral positions at the Devers Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon (2000-2002) and the Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge (2002-2004). In 2005 he commenced a tenured lectureship within the Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, where he is currently an Associate Professor. His work uses a range of psychophysical methods to determine how the human visual systems processes information in normal and diseased eyes and how this information is subsequently used to make decisions. In collaboration with A/Prof. Laura Downie, he has recently co-ordinated a body of work looking at computer vision syndrome, including a large clinical trial looking at the effectiveness of blue-blocking spectacles lenses. In addition to peer-reviewed publications, A/Prof. Anderson is experienced in communicating visual science ideas to a wide range of audiences, including through English and Spanish articles in "The Conversation" (2018), radio interviews on SBS Korean (2019) & SBS Serbian (2019) and community radio 2SER (2020), podcast interviews for "As Seen From Here" and the "American Journal of Ophthalmology Podcast" (2021), as well as an annual hour-long interactive lecture on vision science given to high school students as part of The University of Melbourne’s Science Experience programme.
About Associate Professor Laura Downie
Laura Downie is an Associate Professor and Dame Kate Campbell Fellow for research excellence in the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne, where she heads the ‘Anterior Eye, Clinical Trials and Research Translation Unit’ and co-directs the FrontTear Research Centre, comprising 14 members. She is also Director of the inaugural Melbourne Cochrane Centre for Evidence-Based Vision Care, one of nine such centres globally. Laura’s research combines laboratory, clinical and implementation science as a foundation for improving patient outcomes, with a focus on the ocular surface. She has gained international recognition for research excellence in ocular disease, with awards, highly cited papers, national and overseas speaking engagements and appointments to key international bodies. Laura graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Optometry in 2003, and completed her PhD, focusing on vascular, neuronal and glial cell changes in retinopathy of prematurity, at the same institution in 2008. She has undertaken postgraduate training in evidence-based medicine at the University of Oxford and completed the Women's Executive Leadership program at the Hass School of Business, UC Berkeley. Laura has authored >120 peer-reviewed papers and is lead inventor on several patents relating to tear biomarkers. She serves as a member on national and international expert panels, standards committees, editorial boards, industry advisory boards, and community and professional committees, including as a Global Ambassador for the Tear Film and Ocular surface Society.
