mEYEspa, a Canadian eye-care company and online retailer, has released a new consumer guide for people experiencing digital dry eye, explaining how prolonged screen time can affect blinking and tear-film stability and why choosing eye drops based on immediate moisture alone may not always address screen-related symptoms.
More information can be found at https://www.meyespa.com/blogs/eye-care-news/screen-time-digital-dry-eye?pb=0
The guide arrives as screen use remains a significant part of daily life in Canada. According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, Canadian adults spend an average of 7.1 hours per day looking at screens, up from 6.4 hours before the COVID-19 pandemic. Prolonged digital device use is associated with digital eye strain, which can include dry, irritated, and tired eyes.
The guide challenges the assumption that all artificial tears work in the same way. While conventional lubricating drops can be appropriate for occasional mild dryness, different formulations contain ingredients that support different aspects of dry-eye management. For people whose symptoms consistently worsen during extended screen use, the guide recommends considering tear-film stability, hydration and protection of the ocular surface rather than judging a product solely by how wet the eyes feel immediately after application.
Dr. Jason Morris, an Ontario optometrist and owner of mEYEspa, highlights trehalose and sodium hyaluronate as ingredients of interest for screen-related dryness. Sodium hyaluronate helps retain water and lubricate the ocular surface, while research into trehalose has identified bioprotective and osmoprotective properties that may help protect ocular-surface cells from desiccation and osmotic stress.
The guide also encourages a proactive approach to digital dry eye, including taking regular screen breaks and making slow, complete blinks to help redistribute the tear film. Persistent symptoms should be assessed by an eye-care professional, as dryness can also be associated with conditions or factors unrelated to screen use.
mEYEspa's guide ultimately emphasizes that the question is not whether pharmacy eye drops are inherently ineffective, but whether a particular formulation is appropriate for the cause and pattern of an individual's symptoms.
Canadians experiencing dry, gritty, tired, or irritated eyes during prolonged screen use can read the complete guide to learn more about digital dry eye and eye drop selection at https://www.meyespa.com/blogs/eye-care-news/screen-time-digital-dry-eye?pb=0