If there’s one everyday habit Indians need to change for better eye health, it’s this: waiting too long to take discomfort seriously.
We’ve become remarkably good at adjusting. A little dryness, a slight blur, the dull ache behind the eyes after a long day, most of us notice it, then move on.
We blame the workload, the deadlines, the traffic and the lack of sleep. Rarely do we pause to consider that our eyes are asking for something simple: a break, a reset, a bit of care.
This quiet dismissal is where the damage begins.
Our days now unfold through screens. Phones wake us up, laptops carry us through work, and televisions or tablets ease us into the night. The eye, however, hasn’t evolved for this kind of sustained, near-distance focus. When we don’t look away often enough, blinking slows, the surface of the eye dries out, and strain builds gradually. Not sharply enough to alarm us, but steadily enough to matter.
And so, we carry on.
What makes this habit particularly ingrained in India is its invisibility. It doesn’t disrupt the day. It doesn’t demand attention. You can function, perform, even excel while ignoring it. Until, of course, you can’t, when headaches become frequent, focus slips or vision begins to fluctuate.
The shift required isn’t dramatic. It doesn’t ask us to step away from screens entirely; that’s unrealistic. It simply asks for awareness in the middle of routine. To look up. To pause. To let the eyes rest before they are forced to.
Something as small as breaking your gaze every few minutes, softening the focus into the distance, or even remembering to blink fully can change how your eyes feel by the end of the day. Over time, these small acts build resilience.
Eye health doesn’t deteriorate overnight. It fades quietly, shaped by habits we barely notice. Which is why the most important change isn’t technological or medical, it’s behavioural.
To stop ignoring what your eyes have been telling you all along.
Priyanka Dedhia, Optometrist and Owner, Classic Vision
“Our lifestyles today have really changed as compared to 20 years ago, and new times need new habits. Most people know that wearing blue light protection glasses is a must, but additionally, prolonged usage of screens must be avoided. Take breaks, avoid rubbing your eyes, remember to blink, avoid using screens in a completely dark environment and immediately before bed time, this is now known to be one of the biggest sleep disruptors.
The phenomenon of Dry eyes has increased exponentially, with us seeing many young people who work on laptops for long hours coming in for treatments. Try using the 20-20- 20 rule; it forcefully makes you take timely breaks. Wearing protective sunglasses if you are out in the sun helps prevent an entire score of eye ailments. Also, make it a habit to have an eye examination at least once a year with your Optometrist.
Simple steps like these will eventually lead to a much healthier lifestyle and eye health.”
Ramachandran Parthasarathy, Eyewear Expert
Ramachandran Parthasarathy, Eyewear Expert“If every Indian adopts one simple habit—Check Eyes every year—we can build a true Eye Nation.
Clear vision improves daily lifestyle, enhances learning in children, boosts productivity at work, and prevents avoidable vision impairment.”
Sarvash Kalra, Director, Dayal Opticals India Pvt. Ltd.
“One habit Indians must change for better eye health is regular eye check-ups, especially with the increase in screentime. They should not get an eye test only when they buy a new frame, but get one every 6 months at least.
Eyecare should be prioritised!”
