Dry eyes were once considered the exclusive domain of the over-50 crowd. But a growing number of young people are struggling with this frustrating eye condition.

The likely culprit? Electronic devices. In fact, according to a study conducted in Korea, smartphone use in children is strongly associated with pediatric dry eye disease.

“This can be really debilitating, and we’re definitely seeing an increased incidence of dry eye, especially among kids who are spending so much time on their devices,” says Sonal Soni, O.D., an optometrist who practices at America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Orlando, Florida.

Teens and young adults who work on computer screens are susceptible to this condition, too. Certain medications, irritants such as cigarette smoke, and other factors can also lead to dry eyes.

Read on as Dr. Soni shares her tips for preventing and treating dry eyes, plus why it’s so important to visit your eye doctor if your symptoms don’t improve.

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How to Prevent Dry Eyes

Dry eyes occur when you blink less often, strain your eyes, and end up making fewer tears, says Dr. Soni. These strategies can help you prevent eyestrain and keep your eyes moist.

When in Doubt, Blink

Blinking is the most natural thing we do, but we blink less when we’re in front of our screens, Dr. Soni says.

“The normal amount we’re supposed to blink is 15 times per minute,” she says. “When we look at our devices up close, we not only strain our eyes — we forget to blink.”

Blinking helps keep your eyes lubricated with tears. When you stare at a screen and forget to blink, it can result in dry, irritated eyes.

It can be hard to encourage blinking in your children, but you can remind yourself to check in on them when they’re on their devices. Be on the lookout for long pauses between blinks. And use this opportunity to remind them of the next tip:

Follow the 20/20/20 Rule

This is a pretty simple mantra — and one that can actually help keep everyone’s eyes healthy. Every 20 minutes, look at an object that’s 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

“Our eye muscles turn slightly inward when we look at objects up close, and therefore we must take breaks,” she says. “It’s sort of like when you are lifting a dumbbell doing bicep exercises. You just can’t hold the dumbbell in place, you need to place it down to reset the muscle.”

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water is essential for your overall health, and staying hydrated is important for your eyes.

That’s because drinking water helps your eyes make more tears. Even when you aren’t crying, you have tears in your eyes all the time, protecting them from dirt, dust, and debris. When you’re dehydrated, your eyes don’t produce as many tears.

“Without adequate hydration, your eyes will feel dry,” says Dr. Soni.

Make sure your kids are drinking water with their meals and snacks. And encourage them to keep their water bottles nearby when they’re gaming or doing homework. Parents can set a good example by sipping water when you’re on your smartphone or computer.

Keep Your Lighting Adjusted

If your kids need to use devices a good chunk of the day, be sure to adjust the brightness on each one. They should be bright enough that they don’t have to squint or strain their eyes to read, but not so bright that the light hurts their eyes.

“You should also try to reduce the glare from sunlight during the day and at night use a blue-light filter,” says Dr. Soni. Blue light itself doesn’t cause dry eye and eyestrain, but overexposure to it is thought to be a contributing factor, according to a 2022 review of studies. And one National Eye Institute study found that children’s eyes absorb more blue light from digital screens than adults, according to a report from the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health.

Limit Screen Time

This is a great way to get your kids to blink more often while protecting their eyes from blue light. But for some people, it’s easier said than done — especially those who look at a screen all day for work or school.

If they do need to use a device, make sure the screen isn’t too close to their eyes. Experts suggest putting it about 25 inches, or an arm’s length, away, says Dr. Soni.

“Our eyes have to work harder when the screen is too close to our face,” she says.

Recommended reading: Can’t Avoid Screen Time? 6 Ways to Minimize Eyestrain

Avoid Eye Irritants

Things like cigarette smoke and smog can dry out your eyes. But so can something as simple as a windy day or standing too close to an air conditioner.

Try to limit their exposure to secondhand smoke and stay inside on smoggy days. And a pair of sunglasses is a helpful barrier between eyes and a gust of wind.

How to Treat Dry Eye

Dry eye can happen, despite your best preventive efforts. Luckily, there are ways to ease the discomfort. Try these tips to ward off dry eye when it strikes.

Apply Warm Compresses

If your teen’s symptoms are bothersome, add twice daily warm compresses to their routine, says Dr. Soni.

“Start by doing it in the morning and at night,” she says. “You can use a clean washcloth or a gel bead mask. These are an excellent option because you can microwave them for 10 to 30 seconds and then apply them.”

The heat from the compress helps stimulate healthy tear production, which keeps your eyes moist.

Use Eye Drops

These can be incredibly helpful in lubricating your eyes when they feel dry.

You can find over-the-counter artificial tears at most drugstores and grocery stores. Your optometrist may also write a prescription for eye drops, if necessary.

Beware of redness-reducing eye drops. Using them may result in rebound redness, when your eyes become redder and more irritated than before.

Invest in a Humidifier

You might notice that your skin feels dryer when humidity levels are low. It turns out that dry air can also sap moisture from your eyes, leaving them feeling dry and aggravated.

A humidifier can help return moisture to the air in your home — and to your eyes. You’ll want to plug it in where your teen spends the most time, such as in a bedroom or family room.

Recommended reading: 7 Ways to Ward Off Dry Eyes — Without Giving Up Your Contact Lenses

When You Should See an Eye Doctor

“Dry eyes can be temporary or chronic,” says Dr. Soni. If left untreated, both types of dry eye may lead to headaches, difficulty concentrating, and double vision — not to mention itchy, irritated eyes.

If your teen’s dry eye symptoms don’t resolve after trying warm compresses and eye drops, it’s a good idea to call your optometrist. They can examine their eyes to make sure there’s no underlying condition and make sure they get the best treatment.

See our sources
Study on link between smartphone use and pediatric dry eye: BMC Ophthalmology
Dry eye overview: National Eye Institute
Review of studies on digital blue light safety: Heliyon
Study finds children’s eyes absorb more blue light from digital screens than adults: National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health