Screening for dry eye

In the blink of an eye, relentless screen use causes dry eye. And these days, around half of 18- to 25-year-olds suffer from the condition and 90% have at least one symptom. Those symptoms include gritty or burning eyes, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, redness, stringy mucus, itching, pain, or discomfort wearing contacts. In addition, about half of young adults have lost a large section of a gland in the eye that produces a lipid layer of tear film needed to keep eyes moist. Those are the findings of a study of 50 students whose average daily screen time hit eight hours!

Untreated dry eye can do more than cause discomfort. It can lead to blurred vision, eye pain, light sensitivity, increased risk of corneal abrasions and ulcers, keratitis, and even vision loss.

What can you do to ease dry eye? Try blink exercises: Close your eyes for 2 seconds, then open. Repeat. Then squeeze your eyelids together for 2 seconds. Repeat the cycle.

Also, follow the 20-20-20 rule: For every 20 minutes of screen time, take a break and look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Repeat throughout the day. Plus, eat omega-3-rich salmon, maintain a healthy sleep routine and manage stress. If you wear contacts, it's important to make sure they fit well, replace them on schedule, clean them well and do not use them when sleeping, showering or swimming. And for a clear-eyed look at improving your vision and overall health, sign up for the free newsletter at LongevityPlaybook.com.

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.


(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.