January often begins with good intentions. “People talk about health in big terms, weight, diet, exercise, sleep,” says Dr. Vinay Prasad, Senior Consultant, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals. “Vision, however,
rarely enters the conversation. Eyes are simply expected to work, the way they always have until one day they don’t, or at least not comfortably.”
What makes modern eye problems tricky, Dr Prasad explains, is that they rarely announce themselves dramatically. “Discomfort tends to creep in slowly,” he says. “A dull ache behind the eyes by evening, headaches after long screen hours, blurred focus that comes and goes, or eyes that water without a clear reason.” Most people dismiss these signs as work stress or excess screen time, assuming it’s nothing serious.
“That assumption is often where the problem begins,” Dr Prasad notes. According to him, modern life places unprecedented demands on our eyes. Screens dominate both work and leisure, forcing the eyes to maintain focus at a single distance for hours at a stretch. “Blinking becomes infrequent, dryness sets in quietly, and attention remains fixed on tasks,” he explains. “There’s no alarm, no urgent warning, just gradual fatigue.”
Doctors increasingly view digital eye strain as a condition of exhaustion rather than immediate damage. “The eyes are tired, not broken,” says Dr Prasad. “But fatigue, when ignored for long enough, can evolve into symptoms that are far harder to reverse.”
One of the simplest yet most underestimated habits is looking away. “Allowing the eyes to stop focusing even briefly helps relax muscles that have been working continuously,” Dr. Prasad says. Distance viewing and exposure to natural light play a critical role. “The eyes were never designed to stare at glowing screens all day.”
Lighting is another overlooked factor. “Scrolling through phones in dark rooms late at night or working under harsh, glaring lights forces the eyes to overcompensate,” he explains. “Balanced lighting doesn’t draw attention to itself, but poor lighting shows up quickly as strain.”
Sleep, too, is a quiet but powerful contributor to eye health. “When sleep quality drops, the eyes reflect it almost immediately,” says Dr. Prasad. Dryness, redness, and lingering discomfort are common. “The eyes repair themselves during rest, and when rest is inadequate, recovery simply doesn’t happen.”
Hydration plays an equally subtle role. “Dry eyes are often dehydrated eyes,” Dr Prasad notes. “It’s not about quick fixes, it’s about maintaining internal balance consistently.”
Spending time outdoors also offers benefits that are often underestimated. “Natural light and distance viewing give the visual system a much-needed reset,” he explains. “Even short daily exposure can significantly reduce visual fatigue.”
Above all, Dr Prasad stresses the importance of paying attention to early signals. “Burning, itching, frequent eye rubbing, or recurring headaches aren’t inconveniences to push through,” he says. “They’re messages. Ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear, it only delays care.”
Regular eye check-ups remain essential, even when vision feels fine. “Many changes develop quietly,” Dr Prasad explains. “By the time they interfere with daily life, they’ve often been present for a long time.”
Starting the year healthier doesn’t require adding another complicated routine. “For eye health, it’s about noticing, pausing, and making small adjustments before discomfort becomes normal,” concludes Dr Prasad.
Vision supports nearly everything we do, yet it’s often the last thing we think about. Perhaps this year, instead of waiting for problems, it’s worth listening earlier and giving our eyes the attention they deserve.
