Vision health is deeply connected to overall wellness, especially for people managing diabetes. This week, as part of our Diabetes Summer Wellness theme, we’re focusing on a modern challenge with quiet consequences - screen-related eye strain.

As work, communication, and recreation shift online, many people are spending more hours looking at screens whether it’s emails, virtual meetings, online banking, or summer travel plans. Over time, screen strain can wear down your eyes, and if you’re living with diabetes, your eyes may already be under pressure.

How Digital Eye Strain Affects People with Diabetes: Why Diabetics Need a Vision Strategy in the Digital Age

Diabetes affects the small blood vessels in the eyes, and elevated blood sugar levels can slow circulation and reduce tear production. That makes the eyes more vulnerable to dryness, fatigue, and inflammation especially during extended screen time.

A 2019 study published in Clinical Ophthalmology found that over 60% of people with diabetes who used screens for more than three hours a day experienced symptoms of digital eye strain. These included dryness, blurred vision, and difficulty refocusing.

This kind of strain may feel minor at first, but over time, it can contribute to chronic discomfort, disrupted sleep, and avoidable vision changes.

One Powerful Strategy: Use the 20-20-20 Rule

The 20-20-20 rule is a proven technique to help prevent and reduce digital eye strain. It’s simple to remember and easy to apply in almost any setting—from the office to the airport to your living room.

Try This:

• Every 20 minutes of screen use, pause and look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Blink fully and often during screen time to support natural tear production.
• Adjust your screen height so your eyes can rest naturally without squinting.
• Turn on “Night Shift” or “Warm Light” settings in the evening to minimize blue light exposure.

Consider using preservative-free eye drops during long workdays if recommended by your optometrist.

This small practice gives your eyes a much-needed reset and helps support long-term vision clarity.

Bonus Tip: If you’re ready to make your eye health a bigger priority this summer, it starts with small acts of self-responsibility.

We explore that deeper in The Winning Formula: How Self-Responsibility Leads to Diabetes Victory. It’s a powerful reminder that simple choices, like protecting your vision today, can lead to long-term results.

Protecting Your Vision Is Part of Protecting Your Quality of Life

Clear, healthy vision supports your work, your relationships, your travel, and your independence. It also helps you notice subtle changes in your environment that may affect your safety or confidence, especially when navigating new places or social settings during the summer.

“I used to think screen fatigue was just part of life. I was on Zoom calls all day and didn’t realize how sore and blurry my eyes were getting until I started doing the 20-20-20 rule. It made an immediate difference—and now it’s part of how I take care of myself.”

— Andrea Levin, 59, Executive Coach and Former Marketing Director

If you’ve been ignoring screen discomfort, or if your eyes feel tired and dry more often than not, this is a sign to make a small shift before it becomes a bigger problem.

You’re invited to book a complimentary Diabetes Wellness Connection Call with me. During this call, we’ll take a look at the patterns that may be wearing you down and outline one or two practical adjustments to help you feel better starting with your vision.

This call is a relaxed, supportive space to reconnect with your wellness goals, clarify your next step, and feel more in control of your health.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Cheryl
Dr. Ac., C.H., RDH
Dr. Holistic Studies, Dr. Acupuncture
Diabetes Wellness Strategist & Coach
Creator & CEO of Holistic Diabetes Solutions
8 X International Best-Selling Author

As a woman living with diabetes for over 30 years, Dr. Cheryl understands the journey firsthand. When she was diagnosed, she received the same outdated advice her grandmother was given for over four decades, who relied primarily on medication, suffered from deteriorating health and eventually lost her life to diabetes. Fueled by this experience, Dr. Cheryl was compelled to seek a better way. Through countless research studies and trials, she developed the winning holistic approach: the Diabetes Success System which merges traditional wisdom with today’s best holistic self-care practices.  It has revolutionized diabetes management by providing a trusted way to maintain consistent and predictable healthy blood sugar levels.

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PROFESSIONAL DISCLAIMER

The material and content contained in this platform is for overall general diabetes health and education information only. It is not intended to constitute medical advice or to be a substitution for professional medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. All specific medical questions or changes you make to your medication and/or lifestyle should be discussed and addressed with your primary healthcare provider. Having the right mindset, doing the right movements at the right times of day, and eating foods that help keep blood sugar, insulin, and inflammation manageable can dramatically reduce your risk of the all-too-common complications of Diabetes, increase your energy levels and have you feeling your best every day.