Digital eye strain, myopia, and more: Experts reveal the top vision challenges today and tips to prevent them

In today’s fast-paced, screen-dominated world, our eyes are under more strain than ever before. From smartphones and laptops to endless hours of online learning and digital entertainment, modern lifestyles are taking a toll on eye health across all age groups. As the global community observes World Sight Day , it’s the perfect time to reflect on the importance of protecting one of our most vital senses, our vision.

To understand the biggest eye health challenges people face today, and how to preserve healthy eyesight in a digital era, we spoke with leading eye care experts: Dr. Pawan Gupta, Senior Cataract and Retina Surgeon, Eye 7 Hospital Lajpat Nagar, Vision Eye Clinic New Delhi; Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev, Chairman & Medical Director, Centre For Sight Group of Eye Hospitals; and Dr. Rinky Anand Gupta Director - Ophthalmology (Cataract & Refractive Surgeon) Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali. They share their insights on the rise of conditions like digital eye strain, myopia, and glaucoma, and offer practical advice on how simple habits, regular check-ups, and lifestyle changes can help maintain optimal eye health for both adults and children.

From your perspective, what are the biggest eye health challenges people face today?
Dr Pawan Gupta: Though cataract still accounts for the biggest burden of curable blindness ,newer challenges are increasing incidence of myopia especially in children, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age related macular degeneration. Cataract requires a surgery and implantation of IOL however other diseases are chronic and requires continuous monitoring and treatment which ads to huge financial burden on patients

Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev: Digital eye strain, increasing myopia especially in children, and lack of regular eye care access are critical issues. Many neglect UV safety and may postpone treatment for chronic conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which can occur without any noticeable changes. Awareness, prevention, and routine examinations are the most effective way to preserve vision in the long term.

Dr. Rinky Anand Gupta: An issue that is one of the leading challenges in eye health today is the significant rise in screen-caused vision problems. With so much of our lives revolving around smartphones, computers, and televisions, digital eye strain is surfacing more frequently in our daily experience. Spending extended periods of time looking at a screen can invoke symptoms like dryness, headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue. Our eyes were never designed for such long periods of concentration, particularly at close ranges.

We spend hours every day on screens—phones, laptops, TVs. How is this affecting eye health, and what habits can help reduce digital eye strain?
In today’s digital world, extended screen time from phones, computers, and TVs has made digital eye strain increasingly common.

Dr. Pawan Gupta explains that staring at screens for long periods causes sore or dry eyes, headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue as we tend to blink less often. He warns that excessive screen use in children can also raise the risk of myopia (nearsightedness).

Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev advises following the 20-20-20 rule, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. He also recommends adjusting screen brightness, maintaining good posture, blinking more often, and limiting screen time before bedtime.

Dr. Rinky Anand Gupta adds that persistent dryness, headaches, or blurred vision may be early signs of refractive errors, presbyopia, or serious conditions such as glaucoma or diabetic eye disease. A healthy diet rich in vitamins A and C, omega-3s, and leafy greens can further support eye health.

What are some of the early warning signs of vision problems people tend to ignore?
Dr. Pawan Gupta: Some of the early signs of vision problems are difficulty in reading , decrease in contrast , headache or persistent heaviness in eye, glare and halos, frequent change of glasses, floaters in eye

Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev: People often ignore visual signs like blurry vision, headaches that occur frequently, trouble seeing at night or the tendency to squint while using their visual system. Fatigue of the eye is an additional sign; as is dry or running eyes, or seeing floaters or flashes of light. Early detection of issues is important because any of these symptoms may indicate underlying conditions that are easier to treat when caught early.

How often should adults and children get their eyes checked, and what happens during a routine eye exam?
Regular eye check-ups are essential for keeping your vision in top shape, say the experts. Dr. Pawan Gupta recommends getting your eyes examined at least once a year — and more often if you notice any problems or as advised by your eye doctor. Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev adds that adults should schedule an eye exam every one to two years, while children need their first check-up at six months, again at age three, and before starting school. During a routine exam, doctors test your vision, check eye pressure, dilate the pupils, and look for any early signs of eye or overall health issues. Dr. Rinky Anand Gupta agrees that regular eye exams are a must — ideally once a year for adults and twice a year for kids. These visits help track any changes in vision and catch problems early before they become serious.

How can parents protect their kids’ eyesight in the digital age, especially with online classes and gaming becoming so common?
Dr. Pawan Gupta: Children should not use digital devices for more than one hour a day. Parents should engage children in outdoor activities, and should do work without using digital devices.

Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev: Parents should limit their children's screen time, encourage outdoor play, and ensure when using a device that they are in a well-lit area. It is important to teach your children the 20-20-20 rule and a healthy distance from the screen. Eye checkups are important, and early intervention can help avoid longer term issues with vision or systemic conditions. Blue light filters and screen breaks can help reduce eye strain as well.

If you could share one message for World Sight Day with our readers, what would it be?
On the occasion of World Sight Day, the experts remind us that our eyes deserve just as much care as the rest of our body.

Dr. Pawan Gupta says it best, our eyes are the windows to our body, the only organ where we can actually see blood vessels, giving vital clues about overall health. He urges everyone to get their eyes checked at least once a year and to cut down on excessive screen time.

Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev emphasizes that good eye health is essential for overall well-being. Regular check-ups for both adults and kids can catch problems early, while simple habits like protecting your eyes from harsh light and managing screen time can go a long way. He encourages people to take action this World Sight Day — book an eye exam, spread awareness, or help someone get the care they need.

Dr. Rinky Anand Gupta adds that parents should watch their children’s screen time closely. Encourage outdoor play, limit recreational screen use, and ensure proper lighting during study or online classes small changes that can make a big difference in protecting young eyes.