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Natural Awakenings Westchester / Putnam / Dutchess New York

Behavioral Optometrist Shares Screen-based Visual Stress Alleviation Webinar

Aug 31, 2020 10:42AM ● By Marilee Burrell

Dr. Samantha Slotnick

These unprecedented times have offered mixed blessings: While social distancing keeps us apart, social networking brings us all closer from the safety and comfort of our homes. But according to Dr. Samantha Slotnick, a behavioral optometrist in Scarsdale, NY, this increased screen time comes with a new set of physical and cognitive demands that can interfere with our ability to keep our nervous system—and our visual system—in balance.

There are several signs and symptoms of increased visual stress, Slotnick says. Some are more obvious, like increased eyestrain, tension and/or headaches; intermittent blurry vision; and a tendency to lean in close to computer screens and mobile devices. But others are subtler, like increased shoulder and neck discomfort; difficulty maintaining concentration; and re-reading material for comprehension.

During the height of the pandemic, Slotnick shared her holistic approach to vision care with her optometric colleagues in a series of lectures presented worldwide. She then distilled them into an article to help clinicians in all health fields understand the impact of stress on the use of one’s visual field, and on eye-focusing, eye-teaming and eye-movement skills. She calls that cumulative effect the Sympathetic Overdrive Cascade.

In a grassroots effort to support members of her community, Slotnick also created a webinar presentation of self-help exercises and strategies to alleviate screen-based visual stress. That webinar is now available at DrSlotnick.com/diffusestress.

Dr. Samantha Slotnick has offices at 495 Central Park Ave, Ste. 301, Scarsdale, NY. For more information, call 914.874.1177 or visit Dr. Samantha Slotnick.