There are several markets of computer users -- from students to seniors, from office workers to telecommuters... even very young children. They are all part of the growing group of Internet users, who together send some 20 billion e-mails daily.

But with all that computer usage often comes computer vision problems. An eyecare professional, particularly one who may specialize in computer vision syndrome, would be well-advised to target these computer users and build business by meeting their needs. Here are some tips for reaching the computer population:

1. Web Site. A great place to market your services to computer users is through the Internet. Many doctors are using this medium. A number of optometrists are Web docs as well. As a solo practitioner in Washington, D.C., I put up a Web page in 1995 for vision therapy, ortho-k, bifocal contacts, and identifying learning-related vision problems. My Web page, combined with my link with optometric organizations, contributed to almost 20 percent of my annual gross.

2. Patient Questionnaire. Revise your questionnaire for new and returning patients with questions about computer usage. Ask about the distance from the patients' eyes to the screen, and such topics as lighting, headaches, blurred vision, skipping lines, visual fatigue, and increased error rates. Have the patient fill out a computer questionnaire, available from the OEP (see "Resources" below).

3. The Exam. Don't just stop with the questionnaire. Modify your exam to include computer-related issues, such as the distance from the computer the patient works at. If the patient already wears corrective lenses, determine a separate computer-only prescription. Remember that the visual needs of computer users are different from conventional Rx's because they include both near and intermediate distances.

Steve Glasser, O.D., of Washington, D.C, asks all his patients about computer usage regardless of their age. He has also modified his optometric exam to include working at an actual computer.

"I have a computer workstation where not only can I test a patient for a prescription designed for these working conditions, but I can also check the patient's [existing] computer prescription while he or she is in front of the screen," he explains.

4. Recall and Marketing Letters. Use your patient recall notices and marketing literature to spread the word about computer-related vision problems, and the fact that you are an expert in treating them.

5. Speaking. Go out in your community and share your knowledge of computer-related vision problems. It will make you known around town as the computer vision expert. Among the opportunities are: computer users clubs, schools that offer computer classes, business organizations, religious groups, public libraries, and senior citizen centers. EB

Barbara Anan Kogan, O.D., of Washington, D.C., has authored more than 125 articles, including several on computers and vision.