11/02/2026
Five ways to protect your vision in the digital age
Smartphones, tablets, computers, and TVs are part of our daily lives — for work, study, and relaxation. But constant screen time has its downsides. Studies show over 34% of people spend 4–6 hours a day on digital devices, and 14% spend 10–12 hours.
It is therefore not surprising that people complain about the following;
Red and irritated eyes.
Dry eyes.
Blurred vision.
Fatigue.
Back, neck and shoulder pain.
Headaches.
1. Protection from screens Time icon image
There are various special coatings for lenses, such as Anti-glare and Blue Protect, which are helpful in maximising comfort and vision with extended screen time. Anti-glare glasses, for example, improve contrast with digital screens by reducing the amount of light reflecting off the front and back surfaces of your lenses.
2. Proper lighting Time icon image
You can eliminate exterior light by using curtains or blinds and you can reduce fluorescent lighting by using a lower number of tubes. Also consider swapping out the regular ‘cool white’ fluorescent bulbs for the softer ‘warm white’ bulbs, as this will diminish the glare significantly.
3. Rest and blink Time icon image
Rest your eyes after every 20 minutes of screen time. Do this by looking into the distance, giving your eyes a chance to refocus. Then repeat this refocusing from far to near for 20 seconds.
4. Environmental awareness Time icon image
Air-conditioning decreases the ambient humidity. This means that it increases the rate at which your tears evaporate, putting you at a greater risk for dry eye problems. If possible, switch the air-conditioner off for extended periods of time.
5. Lubrication of eyes Time icon image
There are numerous eye drop variants you can use for the symptomatic relief of dry eyes. Regular use of these drops improves the tear film and, thus, the eye surface. Consult your eye care practitioner to know which eye drops are best suited for your eyes and for guidelines on optimum usage.
We would like to remind you that it has been more than 2 years since your last full vision and eye health examination at our practice. It is our ethical responsibility to notify you when your eyes require examination and re-affirm that most vision loss is avoidable through regular eye examinations.