Screen Time and Eyelid Health Play a Role in Dry Eye Risk

September 20, 2026 - 01:18

Rising rates of dry eye are not simply a matter of people staring at screens for too long. According to Ashraf Ahmad, MD, the condition involves a mix of modern habits and physical factors that often go unexamined. He points to eyelid health as a key piece of the puzzle that many patients and even some clinicians tend to skip.

Dry eye develops when the tear film cannot keep the surface of the eye properly lubricated. Screens contribute because people blink less often when reading or watching video, and the blinks they do take are frequently incomplete. That leaves tears to evaporate faster than they can be replaced. But blinking depends on the eyelids working correctly, and problems with the lid margin, the meibomian glands, or the way the lids close can undermine tear production and stability no matter how much time someone spends on a device.

Ahmad notes that eyelid evaluation deserves more attention during routine eye exams. Issues such as blepharitis, gland dysfunction, and incomplete closure are common and treatable, yet they are easy to miss when the focus stays on the screen alone. Addressing these underlying problems can improve symptoms and reduce the need for constant artificial tears.

He also suggests simple steps: take regular breaks, remember to blink fully, and pay attention to persistent dryness or irritation. When symptoms linger, a thorough eyelid check can reveal the real cause.