Vision health concerns rise due to aging and digital screen use

Health experts are highlighting a rise in vision issues linked to aging and increased digital device usage. In Brazil, the 'Agosto Cinza' campaign warns that cataracts—a progressive, painless clouding of the eye's lens—are often misattributed to normal aging, leading patients to delay necessary surgical treatment.

Simultaneously, digital eye strain and dry eye disease are becoming widespread due to prolonged screen exposure. In India, the transition from student life to office work has increased vulnerability to computer vision syndrome, characterized by headaches, blurred vision, and eye fatigue.

In Australia, optometrists report a significant surge in dry eye cases, affecting a growing portion of the population. Experts note that screen use reduces blinking frequency from 12–15 times per minute to just 5–6, preventing essential oil secretion from eye glands. To mitigate these risks, specialists recommend the 20-20-20 rule (looking away every 20 minutes for 20 seconds), maintaining proper screen distance, ensuring adequate ambient lighting, and using blue light filters.