Tips for healthy vision in the digital age
Post on 9th May 2025
Our eyes are the window to our health. That’s why prioritising the health of our eyes should be part of our everyday routine for our long term wellbeing.
Some of the better known conditions include dry eyes, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Today, we’re also seeing unprecedented rates of digital eye strain due to our screen-centric lifestyles. This is not just impacting adults, but children too with rates of myopia (shortsightedness) increasing at an alarming rate globally. Many health professionals and research studies believe this is due to increased screen usage and a reduction in time we spend outdoors.
At Scrivens, we have over 85 years’ experience as a leading eye care specialist in the UK, so we have compiled a list of our seven top tips to help you maintain healthy vision:
- Regular Eye Tests: Early detection is key to managing eye health effectively, that’s why it’s essential to schedule regular eye tests with your local optician. Eye tests can not only identify sight loss but eye diseases too, often before symptoms arise, allowing for timely treatment and preventing further vision loss.
- Know Your Risk Factors: There are certain demographic factors, such as race, ethnicity and family history, that can increase your risk of sight conditions, such as glaucoma. It’s good to be aware of your family’s eye health history and discuss any concerns with your optician. Understanding your risk factors empowers you to take proactive steps in preserving your vision.
- Slip on Sunglasses: Being outside is good for us in so many ways, but do remember to shield your eyes from the sun’s radiation by wearing sunglasses that block out harmful UVA and UVB rays. Additionally, wearing a wide-brimmed hat provides extra protection against sun exposure, helping to maintain overall eye health.
- Consider Relaxed Vision Lenses: For those who experience eye strain, Relaxed Vision lenses can make a tremendous difference. These innovative lenses are designed specifically for modern lifestyles and our increasingly digital world. They are a single vision lens giving you all the benefits of a premium product such as UV protection, blue light filtering and superior cosmetics. But their specialised lens design can also reduce eye fatigue, giving comfortable vision all day long.
- Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, managing chronic conditions, and avoiding smoking can significantly reduce your risk of eye disease. A diet rich in antioxidant foods like leafy greens will also support overall eye health.
- Take Regular Breaks: Regular breaks can alleviate eye strain, providing the eyes with a much-needed break from the continuous focus on screens. The 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes of screen time is followed by a 20-second break looking at something 20 metres away. Even better, pair this practice with Relaxed Vision lenses for comprehensive protection against digital eye strain.
- Spend Time Outside: Spending time outside is not only good for our vision health but also good for our mental wellbeing. When outdoors, your eyes exercise their distance vision capabilities, particularly for young and short sighted children, providing relief from the constant near focus required by digital screens.
Our vision is precious, and we should treat it with care and attention. Whether through regular eye exams, lifestyle adjustments, or investing in the right lenses, take the proactive steps needed to safeguard your vision.
If you have any concerns about your eye health or are interested in learning more about how Relaxed Vision lenses can help reduce your digital eye strain, you can find help and advice on our website or alternatively visit your local Scrivens branch. Our experienced opticians can provide personalised advice for your visual needs.
If you found these top tips useful, you may also be interested in why regular eye tests for children are crucial.