eyeglob

About 50% of the population owns a smart phone and it is predicted that in a 5 years, more people will access the internet and get data via smart phones that desktop or laptop computers.

What if I had a device that allows me to connect from your smart phone to your website, facebook page, give your business card information or just give directions with a map to your office location all with one simple step on a smart phone?

Well if you have paid attention, you noticed those funky squares that have scattered boxes? It is called QR code and the acromin stands for “quick response,” and that is the business these little boxes are all about. In concept it is a bar code meant to be read with any smart phone that has a QR code reader. QR readers for the most part are free apps you can download to your smart phone.  QR codes make it easy to upload information without having to type or search on the internet. QR codes can be created for just about anything.

QR codes can be generated for free with any number of web-based programs. Just go to Google and you can search for QR code generator and in less than a minute you can have your own QR code. A very commonly used site is QRstuff at www.qrstuff.com.

So what is the utility and how can you use QR codes in your office marketing?

1.    Basic office information: You can create a QR code with basic information such as office name location and phone number. You can use this in printed promotional material. You can create an instant connection, without the patient asking to remember or type a phone number.

2.    Physician profiles. A qr code is an easy way to give them more detailed information about you! You can have the QR code link to your webpage that gives a prospective patient more information about your professional profile.You can even link it to a youtube video telling the patient about your office or yourself!

3.    Special promotions. You can link a QR code to a special promotion on glasses, contacts or solutions

4.    Connect directly with your Internet-based appointment form

5.   Procedure and equipment videos. Patients love to search, so just show them a picture of  your new OCT or retinal camera

6.    Maps. Your QR code can link to Google map so your patients don’t have to type your address into a browser to find you.

7.    Your blog with Health tips. Link QR codes to your blog, video or any other Internet based health information that you think is appropriate.

8.     Post-contact lens or eyeglass cleaning instructions. A QR code can reiterate and help patients  comply with the use of solutions or how to best keep their new glasses in their best shape!

As you can see, the utility of QR codes is just limited to what you can come up with. The idea is that it makes it easy for the mobile patient to have information on products information about you and your practice. The one thing to remember about QR codes is that they will not replace having your address or phone number in printed material. They will not have people flocking to your website. QR codes are mainly easy for quick and convenient information for people who have busy lives. In a marketplace as competitive as Optometry, convenient and easier is sometimes better.

Computer Users: 11 Suggestions

Eye strain has become one of the leading office based complaints. Estimates are that between 50% and 90% of computer users experience some degree of eyestrain or other symptoms  during their work day. Studies show eye strain and CVS (computer Vision Syndrome) often cause fatigue, decreased productivity and more worker errors.

So what can you do about it? Here are steps I suggest you (and your employer) can take to reduce computer eye strain and the other common symptoms:

1. Get an eye exam.

Ok, so this might sound self serving but it is true! Make sure your prescription is up to date! According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), computer users should have an eye exam once yearly. Be sure to tell your eye doctor how often you use a computer at work and at home.

2. Use proper lighting.

Computer eyestrain is often caused by excessively bright ambient lighting - either from outdoor sunlight coming in through a window or from harsh interior lighting. If possible, position your monitor so that windows are to the side of it, instead of in front or back. Adjust window blinds to reduce the amount of sunlight entering your workstation.

3. Minimize glare.

Glare from walls and finished surfaces as well as reflections on the computer screen can also cause computer eyestrain.  Make sure that your glasses have an anti-reflective (AR) coating applied to your lenses. AR coatings  help reduce glare by minimizing the amount of light reflected off the front and back surfaces of your lenses.

4. Adjust the brightness and contrast of your computer screen.

One little secret from an IBM employee many years ago was to adjust the display settings on your computer monitor so the brightness of the screen is about the same as your work environment.

As a test, try looking at the white background of this web page. If it looks like a light source, it’s too bright. If it seems dull and gray, it may be too dark.

5. Blink, Blink, Blink more often.

Blinking is very important - it re establishes the tear film keeping your eye moist and wets your eyes to keep them comfortable and clear.

Studies show that, during periods of concentration such as reading and computer use, most people blink less . This  will greatly increase the evaporation rate of the tears and increase the risk for eye irritation.

I suggest you keep a bottle of artificial tears at your workplace (we would be happy for you to stop over by the office and we will supply a sample at no cost) and use them to moisten your eyes o2 to 3 times during he day.

6. Upgrade your display.

Most workplaces that I have seen do have the newer LCD screens. These are easier on the eyes and usually have an anti-reflective surface. When choosing a new display, select a screen with the highest resolution possible. Resolution is related to the “dot pitch” of the display. Make it easy on your eyes, a displays with a lower dot pitch have sharper images., I would suggest a display with a dot pitch of .28 mm or smaller. For a desktop computer, select a comfortable size display that has a diagonal screen size of at least 19 inches.

 7. Re Focus on your work and your eyes.

Focusing fatigue is another cause of computer eyestrain. Research suggest that it is harder for our eyes to maintain focus on computer-generated images than on printed images in a book or magazine.

To reduce focusing fatigue, look away from your screen or monitor every 20 to 30 minutes and gaze at a distant object across the room. Looking far away relaxes the focusing muscles (ciliary muscle) inside your eyes, reducing focusing fatigue.

8. Take frequent breaks, yeah water cooler!

Take short breaks from your computer work throughout the day. Stand up, walk away from your work station and stretch your arms, legs, back, neck and shoulders. This will reduce your risk for eye strain as well as neck, back and shoulder pain and discomfort.

A recent NIOSH study suggested computer workers experienced less discomfort if they took four additional “mini breaks” during the day. In the same study, these supplementary breaks did not reduce productivity.

9. Modify your workstation.

Looking back and forth between a printed page and your computer screen (as during data entry tasks), can also cause eyestrain. To improve comfort, place the print material on a copy stand adjacent to your screen or monitor. If necessary, use a desk lamp to illuminate the print material, but remember not to glare the light off so that it doesn’t shine into your eyes or onto the computer screen.

10. Your mom told you to Sit up Straight!

Improper posture during computer work also contributes to CVS as well as back and neck pain. Adjust your workstation and chair to a comfortable height. It is suggested your feet lay flat on the floor in front of you and your arms have a comfortable bend.

I would suggest you adjust your chair and computer so your screen is between 20 to 24 inches from your eyes and slightly below eye level so you can view it comfortably. If you use bifocals this will also make the vision throw the progressive better.  This will also keep your head and neck in a natural position.

11. Consider computer eye glasses.

For comfort and best performance at your computer, you may benefit from having an eyeglasses prescription just for your computer work. This is also helpful if you normally wear contact lenses, that can become dry and uncomfortable during  a day of  computer work. Computer glasses are also a good alternative if you normally wear eyeglasses with bifocal or progressive lenses. Keep in mind we can prescribe specially designed computer prescription to give you the best possible vision.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office!

It just looks (no pun intended)  there’s an i Phone app for everything! I have not tried these, so no guarantees here. But you might want to check these out:

• You can use your iPhone 3GS as a magnifying glass with the Eye Glasses app. It uses the autofocus on the reading material and magnifies it from 2X to 8X. I could have used this  for reading the menu in last weeks dimly lit restaurant!
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• Colorblind Helper is a color identifier. You take a photo with your i Phone’s camera and touch various the parts of the scene to see the color described in English. Color blind and deficient users report that this is especially helpful when deciding what to wear. Other apps for people who are color deficient or blind work similarly, such as ColorHelper, so compare before you download.
• Visolve is a little different. It’s an iPhone app version of some PC software that will make certain colors brighter or darker. For instance, say you have trouble distinguishing between red and pink, Visolve can make the red look redder and brighter. It can also darken all colors except the color you specify.
• For those who have macular degeneration and have to test your visual field for distortions, you can use the MaculaTester, a kind of Amsler grid for the iPhone or iPod Touch. This may provide early warning signs of macular dysfunction. NOW be cautious!: Do not rely on this test to diagnose macular degeneration or any other eye disease. You need to visit me for that. It is very generous that a portion of the proceeds from this app goes to various macular degeneration foundations.

If you know of other iPhone or iPod Touch apps that are related to eyes or vision, will you please contact me?

I would also love to hear about your experiences while using any app.