Dry Eye Cases on the Rise Among Students, Retired Professionals, and Homemakers: Pune Ophthalmologist
Dry Eye Cases on the Rise Among Students, Retired Professionals, and Homemakers: Pune Ophthalmologist
Pune-based eye institute highlights growing impact of digital screens on eye health
A six-month survey conducted by the National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO) in Pune has revealed that nearly 37% of 3,000 patients examined between November 2024 and April 2025 reported symptoms of dry eye, primarily caused by excessive screen time.
The majority of affected individuals were students, retired professionals, and homemakers, spending 3–4 hours daily on digital devices. However, some cases involved significantly higher screen exposure, ranging from 6.3 to 8.3 hours a day. Among those reporting symptoms, 46% were IT professionals aged 25–56, followed by students (19%), office workers (11%), homemakers (10%), and retired individuals (8%).
According to Dr. Aditya Kelkar, director of NIO Super Specialty Hospital, “Dry eye is no longer a condition limited to the elderly. We’re increasingly seeing younger people, particularly in the tech sector, suffer from symptoms related to computer vision syndrome (CVS). We receive more than 40–50 patients daily with CVS-related issues.”
The condition, often referred to as computer vision syndrome, manifests through a range of symptoms including eye strain, dryness, burning, redness, gritty sensation, watering, and irritation. Children with prolonged screen use also show signs such as reduced attention span, poor academic performance, and behavioral issues.
The symptoms are further aggravated by factors like poor lighting, screen glare, improper viewing distances, and environmental elements such as air conditioning and low humidity. Additionally, prolonged screen use can cause shoulder and neck pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, and neuropsychiatric symptoms like fatigue and irritability.
Experts emphasize that experiencing occasional symptoms doesn’t necessarily indicate dry eye disease. Diagnosis requires both reported symptoms and signs of damage to the eye’s surface, which should be assessed by a medical professional.
To reduce the impact of digital eye strain, experts recommend the following:
- Screen height: Keep screens below eye level to reduce the area of the eye exposed.
- Lighting and positioning: Avoid reflections and glare from windows or lamps. Use anti-reflective filters.
- 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to maintain natural blinking.
- Environmental care: Minimize exposure to dry air, smoke, and strong air currents.
- Hydration: Use preservative-free artificial tears instead of saline for eye lubrication on long screen days.
Doctors stress that early awareness and preventive measures can help mitigate long-term damage, ensuring screens support daily life without compromising eye health.
