9.4.2025
Modern technology is an essential part of our lives, but its excessive use is taking a toll on our health, especially our eyes. According to the Czech Statistical Office, 82 percent of Czechs used a smartphone in 2023 and 79 percent of households owned a desktop or laptop computer.
Dry Eye Syndrome: the civilising disease of the digital age
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common complaints seen by ophthalmologists. It manifests as redness, burning and stinging eyes, fatigue, sensitivity to light, and sometimes headaches. It is estimated that one in seven people suffers from this condition, and its incidence continues to rise.
“Vision problems typically begin after the age of 40. However, dry eye syndrome, which has become a modern civilisation disease, is increasingly affecting younger patients. Dry eye is mainly caused by spending time in air-conditioned environments and frequent use of computers, mobile phones, or tablets, which leads to the eyes drying out more quickly. Patients often complain of burning and stinging eyes. Vision may become blurry, and the eyes may appear red or even become painful,” explained Pavel Stodůlka, head of the Gemini Eye Clinic network.
Children’s eyes at risk
Adults and children spend several hours a day in front of screens, putting significant strain on their eyes. Looking at a monitor is more demanding than reading printed text, and prolonged computer use can accelerate the loss of visual acuity.
“In recent years, the age of patients with myopia has decreased significantly due to prolonged screen time. Currently, myopia affects approximately 15 to 20 percent of schoolchildren. Children are certainly not more resistant to computers, even though they were born into the ‘digital age’. Evolution is a slow process, and adapting to new conditions takes time. Unfortunately, the opposite is true—the developing eye of a child is much more vulnerable, and excessive screen time can disrupt its normal development,” warned Denisa Darsová, a doctor at Gemini Eye Clinic who specialises in paediatric patients.
How to Protect Your Eyesight
To prevent vision problems, it’s important to follow a few simple guidelines:
- The 30-30 Rule – Every 30 minutes, look at a distant object (such as out of a window) for 30 seconds.
- Eye yoga – Helps relax the eyes and relieve fatigue. Gentle circular movements and looking in different directions—up, down, and sideways—can boost circulation around the eyes and positively impact vision.
- Frequent blinking – We tend to blink less when working on a computer, which reduces eye moisture. Try to blink more consciously and often.
- Proper lighting and monitor position – The monitor should be at eye level, about 50–70 cm away, and the room should be well-lit.
