Due to results of a national Shire-sponsored dry eye/screen time online survey (comprised of 1,001 U.S. dry eye adults and 1,000 U.S. eye doctors), the company and Thrive Global, a behavior change media and technology company, partnered to launch the screen responsibly initiative, an extension of Shire’s eyelove campaign, which seeks to promote awareness of screen use effects on eye health and responsible screen use habits (See Screenresponsibly.com ).

“. . . To properly address unmet needs within the dry eye disease (DED) community, we felt it was important to hear directly from those with self-reported DED, and the [eye doctors] who treat them,” explains Shire’s Group Vice President & Head of Ophthalmics U.S. Franchise, John Snisarenko.

To remember to bring up screen time during exams, Kelly Nichols, O.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., F.A.A.O., dean of the UAB School of Optometry, suggests the mantra, “ask, look, and do something.” ■

SURVEY RESULTS

A TOTAL OF 68% OF ADULTS USE SCREENS SIX HOURS A DAY OR LONGER.

CLOSE TO ONE IN THREE ADULTS SAY THEY USE SCREENS 10+ HOURS PER DAY

A TOTAL OF 70% OF ADULTS SAY THEY CANNOT PURSUE THEIR LIFE PASSIONS WITHOUT SCREENS.

A TOTAL OF 61% OF ADULTS SAY THEY CONTINUE USING THEIR SMARTPHONES, EVEN WHEN THEIR EYES START TO BOTHER THEM.