There has been increased use of online platforms, and as such the use of devices of all types of computers – whether a PC or laptop, mobile phones, tablets, kindles, digital cameras, televisions – for work, school, recreation, entertainment, and other activities.
This transition, while not new, has intensified over the past two years because of the covid19 pandemic. According to several medical journals, high-intensity blue light from any source is potentially hazardous to the eye.
Head of Courts Optical Shivan Ojah-Maharaj said the division continued its work to promote healthy eye care and found that it has become something that needed to be impressed upon because of the heightened use of technology and blue light emissions.
“Even before the pandemic, with young students and young adults on their digital devices, we have indeed seen for the pandemic a huge influx of people getting their eyes examined.
“Most importantly with office and online schooling, we’ve seen the children and the parents coming in on weekends to do more of their eye testing. As parents and adults, we need to ensure that at all times your eyes and your dependants eyes are fully protected,” she said.
Ojah-Maharaj said people should not take their eyes and the health of their eyes for granted and urged that individuals make a routine of proactive healthcare system for their eyes.
“People should take the testing seriously, so we would be embarking on a clinical focus to provide information about eye healthcare, while we also pursue our commercial goals.
[caption id="attachment_941393" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Head of Courts Optical Shivan Ojah-Maharaj says more people are seeking eye healthcare owing increased use of online platforms. - Roger Jacob[/caption]
“We have seen a growth of the young professionals, believe it or not, I have seen the growth between ages 18-39. They have been coming actually and surprisingly without appointments. We have maintained focus on our core group of people of about 40 years old to about 75 years old."
Courts Optical has been in Trinidad and Tobago for the past eight years and has 14 stores. Unicomer, its parent company, is a retail Latin American franchise with brands such as Courts, Ashley Furniture Homestore, Lucky Dollar, Radioshack and others and operates in 20 countries in the region.
Ojah-Maharaj, with over 20 years in the area of marketing, has held the position of marketing director at Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd at all the divisions of the business, and is currently on the board of governors at University of Trinidad and Tobago.
Courts Optical, according to Ojah-Maharaj, has become one of the leading optical retail outlets.
“The services involve both retail and clinical. On the clinical side our optometrists conduct a basic comprehensive eye examination. Our clinical processes and protocols are in check.
“We also have our clinic for difficult patients or elderly patients who have to do cataract surgery. It is an optometrist who identifies first that particular situation and
