No matter where you look today, people are viewing electronic displays. They have become a huge part of daily living at home, at work, during leisure time and on the move. Whether checking email on their smartphone, browsing newspaper on a tablet computer, reading textbook on an electronic reading device, monitoring operations on multiple desktop monitors or taking notes at a meeting on their laptop, these screens have become ubiquitous.

The viewing of digital electronic screens is no longer restricted to desktop computers located in the workplace. Today’s visual requirements may include viewing laptop and tablet computers, electronic book readers, smart phones, and other electronic devices both in the workplace, at home or in the case of portable equipment, in any location. Furthermore, computer use is not restricted to adults.

The use of handheld smart phones for written communication (e.g., text messaging, e-mail, and internet access) is also becoming ubiquitous in contemporary society. The relatively small screens found in these devices may necessitate close working distances and small text sizes, which can increase the demands placed on ocular accommodation and vergence when compared with printed materials. This can result in disabling symptoms which may include eyestrain, headaches, ocular discomfort, dry eye, diplopia, and blurred vision either at near or when looking into the distance after prolonged use.