TV ‘binge-watching’ causes contact lens discomfort

A recent consumer entertainment survey, commissioned by contact lens makers Bausch + Lomb, has revealed that nearly half of contact lens wearers have experienced lens discomfort after watching TV for an extended period of time.

The survey, which quizzed 4,072 adults, was designed to determine television binge-watching habits, contact lens habits and gauge the levels of discomfort for those who both wear contacts and binge-watch television shows.

It revealed that of the 86 per cent of contact lens wearers who watch their favourite shows while wearing their lenses, nearly half (43 per cent) experience discomfort and 75 per cent are forced to remove their lenses due to this. Fifty-nine percent of binge-watching takes place on a computer, which may be causing a reduced blink-rate and dry and uncomfortable eyes.

More than half of contact lens wearers (56 per cent) admit to binge-watching their favourite shows for stretches of four or more hours at a time.

“When we use digital devices we tend to stare, forgetting to blink on a regular basis. When a person stares at a screen, blink rates reduce 66 percent, which can cause eyes to feel dry and uncomfortable, and prompt contact lens wearers to remove their lenses,” said eye care professional Dustin Dixon, O.D.

“With 61 per cent of respondents reporting that they binge-watch in the evening (after 6 pm) after a full day of work, it’s not hard to see why they might be experiencing eye dryness and discomfort,” he adds.

Bausch + Lomb suggests that those experiencing dry eyes could use its Biotrue multi-purpose solution for soft contact lenses. The solution has been developed following research which analysed how the eye naturally works to clean, hydrate and keep itself healthy.

“The lubricant in Biotrue multi-purpose solution is found naturally in the eyes, keeping contact lenses moist for up to 20 hours.