Futuristic eye-mask promises to relieve digital eye-strain

Record ID: 1397820

  • Title: Futuristic eye-mask promises to relieve digital eye-strain
  • Date: 1st March 2019
  • Summary: MANILA PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES (FILE - FEBRUARY 5, 2018) (REUTERS) WOMEN OUTSIDE HEALTH CENTRE HOLDING BANNER READING (English): "JUSTICE FOR OUR CHILDREN DENGVAXIA VICTIMS" PEOPLE LINING UP OUTSIDE CENTRE TO GIVE BLOOD SAMPLES FOR TESTING VARIOUS OF NURSE GETTING BLOOD SAMPLE FROM GIRL VACCINATED WITH ANTI-DENGUE VACCINE DENGVAXIA BLOOD SAMPLES PARIS, FRANCE (FILE) (REUTERS
  • Embargoed: 15th March 2019 11:20
  • Keywords: Digital eye-strain eye-mask dry eye Umay Care Mobile World Congress screen time
  • Location: BARCELONA, SPAIN / LONDON AND SURREY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
  • City: BARCELONA, SPAIN / LONDON AND SURREY, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Science
  • Reuters ID: LVA002A46VFX7
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Staring at electronic screens for a large portion of the day is a fact of modern life for many people. But long hours looking at smartphones, tablets and computer screens can lead to a host of eye-related ailments.
    An innovative eye-mask developed by start-up Umay Care based in Alberta, Canada, promises to relieve the symptoms of too much screen time.
    Traditional remedies include a hot or cold compress to the eye area, but maintaining a good temperature for long enough isn't easy. The patented 'Umay Rest' device sits on closed eyelids and delivers a consistent warm temperature to combat digital eye-strain, or a cool temperature to relieve inflammation, redness or itchy eyes. A third setting combines therapeutic heat with vibrational feedback to gently guide the user in meditative breathing exercises.
    Umay Care was founded by brother-and-sister Ali and Sharmin Habib in 2015. It was when optometrist Sharmin diagnosed her brother with digital eye-strain some years ago that they came up with the idea for a better method to help relieve a condition that is affecting more young people.
    "Dry eye, digital eye-strain symptoms were commonly mostly diagnosed in the elderly population about 10 years ago. But since digital devices - iPhones and smartphones and smart tablets and all these digital devices have come about - we're seeing symptoms in as young as five-to-six-year-olds," explained Dr. Sharmin Habib at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona where they were demonstrating the Umay Rest.
    "We've become a lot more attune within eye-care and optometry to picking up some of these symptoms and the impacts of digital eye-strain on our patients."
    A 2018 report in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open Ophthalmology stated that a large proportion of the population are at risk from digital eye-strain. The report concluded: "With the high prevalence of DES (digital eye-strain) and near-universal use of digital devices, it is paramount that the condition is considered by eye care practitioners, and treatment options are supported by available research evidence."
    The Umay Care device is classed as a wellness product, so not subject to clinical testing. The company says they have conducted extensive trials with volunteers and received positive feedback.
    At the MWC trade show, staring at screens is practically unavoidable as smartphone and technology makers show off their new devices. So, visitors keen for a short break were in plentiful supply at the Umay Care stand.
    "Very good, very relaxing. I had the warm option and it was really relaxing - very nice," said one woman after a ten-minute session with the device.
    The Umay Rest eye-mask is expected to launch commercially towards the end of 2019, priced at 279 USD.
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