Blink patterns: reading from a computer screen versus hard copy.

Purpose: Many subjects experience ocular and visual symptoms during computer use. Previous studies have reported a reduced blink rate during computer operation and suggested that this may account for some of the symptoms, particularly dry eye. However, these earlier investigations failed to include an appropriate control condition.

Blink rate, incomplete blinks and computer vision syndrome.

Purpose: Computer vision syndrome (CVS), a highly prevalent condition, is frequently associated with dry eye disorders. Furthermore, a reduced blink rate has been observed during computer use. The present study examined whether post task ocular and visual symptoms are associated with either a decreased blink rate or a higher prevalence of incomplete blinks.

Computer-related visual symptoms in office workers.

Purpose: Many individuals report visual symptoms during office work and specifically computer use. This study determined the prevalence of symptoms in a population of office workers, and examined the association between these symptoms and both dry eye disease and other demographic factors.

Method: A written questionnaire was used to quantify the prevalence of symptoms in 520 New York City office workers, and to determine the effect of risk factors including gender, ethnicity, age, smoking, type of refractive correction and hours spent doing computer work.

A comparison of symptoms after viewing text on a computer screen and hardcopy.

Purpose: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a complex of eye and vision problems experienced during or related to computer use. Ocular symptoms may include asthenopia, accommodative and vergence difficulties and dry eye. CVS occurs in up to 90% of computer workers, and given the almost universal use of these devices, it is important to identify whether these symptoms are specific to computer operation, or are simply a manifestation of performing a sustained near-vision task.

Does the dynamic cross cylinder test measure the accommodative response accurately?

Background: The dynamic cross cylinder (DCC) test is a standard clinical procedure used to assess the accommodative response (AR) subjectively. However, because of potential problems arising from the ambiguous stimulus conditions, it is unclear whether this test provides an accurate measure of the AR. The aim of this study was to compare clinical subjective findings with objective measurements of the AR.

Does prior instillation of a topical anaesthetic alter the pupillary mydriasis produced by tropicamide (0.5%)?

Purpose: It is common clinical practice to instill a topical anaesthetic prior to the instillation of a mydriatic agent into the eye. The main rationale for using the anaesthetic is to increase corneal permeability, so that more of the mydriatic agent reaches the receptor sites within the anterior chamber. It addition, as mydriatics generally cause stinging, prior use of an anaesthetic should reduce the degree of discomfort.

A combination solution for routine pupillary dilation.

Background: This study investigated the ability of a combination drop containing reduced concentrations of tropicamide and phenylephrine to produce pupillary dilation adequate for routine fundoscopy.

Methods: One eye of each subject (N = 28; age range, 21 to 40 years; median, 23 years) was dilated with 1 drop of a solution containing 0.5% tropicamide and 2.

Alternative arrangements for the delivery of eye care services within staff model managed care organizations.

Background: Eye care services, though accounting for only a small fraction of healthcare costs, encompass a unique spectrum of professional staffing options that can enhance efficiency and decrease costs within staff model managed care organizations.

Methods: This study was designed to describe and assess alternative staffing arrangements and cost implications for the delivery of eye care services by optometrists, ophthalmologists, and primary care physicians within staff model managed care organizations. The clinical records of individual patients--rather than administrative and billing files--at three managed care organizations are the principal source of information.

Do progressing myopes show reduced accommodative responses?

Refractive error and accommodative responsivity were monitored at 4-month intervals over a 1-year period to determine whether an increased lag of accommodation either precedes or accompanies the development of myopia. Accommodation was measured for stimulus levels of 2.5, 3, 4, and 5 D, and both the slope of the stimulus-response function and accommodative error were computed.