Let me start with this: I used to think eye problems were an “old people” thing. You know, reading glasses, bifocals, those super intense eye drops your lola always had in her bag? That kind of vibe.
But here’s the plot twist: your 20s and 30s are sneakily prime time for eye issues to start creeping in. No flashing red lights. Just low-key, slow changes you don’t really notice until you’re squinting at your screen wondering, “Did this font get smaller or…?”
So here’s a little list of things I wish someone told me before I hit my 30s (and started lowkey Googling “why are my eyes blurry after scrolling TikTok for 4 hours?”).
1. Dry eyes aren’t just for dusty provinces and dramatic movies.
Seriously. I used to think dry eyes were some random rare issue. Turns out, staring at screens all day makes you blink less, and less blinking = Sahara Desert eyeballs. You don’t need to be working a 9-to-5 in front of a monitor. Even binge-watching K-dramas can mess you up.
A subtle fix? Eye drops (not the minty ones, please), screen breaks, and learning the fine art of the intentional blink.
Seriously. I used to think dry eyes were some random rare issue. Turns out, staring at screens all day makes you blink less, and less blinking = Sahara Desert eyeballs. You don’t need to be working a 9-to-5 in front of a monitor, even binge-watching K-dramas can mess you up.
2. Sleep and eye health are more connected than I ever realized.
Pulling an all-nighter used to feel kind of invincible. Now? I wake up looking like I lost a fight… to a ghost. Puffy lids, blurry mornings, and that weird sensation like my eyes just don’t wanna open.
Apparently, your eyes actually heal and restore while you sleep. So those 4-hour sleep schedules? They were disrespectful to my corneas.
3. Eye strain is real. And it’s not just from “working hard.”
If you’ve ever felt like your eyes are sore, heavy, or just tired even though you’re not sleepy…congratulations! You’ve met eye strain.
It’s not just a work thing either. It’s a lifestyle thing. I mentioned it once to a doctor I casually spoke with at Peregrine Eye & Laser Institute, and she said it’s one of the most common complaints these days — even among patients in their 20s. So yeah, it’s not just you.
4. Your vision can change without you realizing.
This one was rude, honestly. I thought I had “20/20 forever” energy. Then one day I noticed I kept zooming in on my screen. Or reading signs from a distance got… harder?
Turns out, vision shifts happen gradually. You might not notice until you’re squinting at a restaurant menu like you’re decoding a secret message. Regular eye exams would’ve caught that earlier. But hey, I was busy being young and invincible.
5. Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion statement.
UV rays can actually damage your eyes over time. Cataracts, macular degeneration, wrinkles (yep — that counts too). I used to buy the cheapest sunnies because they looked cute. But they weren’t even UV protected. Which basically means I wore plastic windows on my face for five years. Iconic.
If you’re gonna wear shades, make sure they block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Your future eyes will thank you.
6. It’s OK (and smart) to get your eyes checked even if nothing’s wrong.
This is the part where I get mildly preachy, but only because I learned it the hard way. You don’t need to wait for a problem to show up before seeing an eye doctor. Sometimes the issues are sneaky. Sometimes they’re unrelated to just “bad eyesight.”
That same doctor I chatted with at Peregrine mentioned how people come in for simple eye fatigue, and it ends up being something more, like early cataracts or retinal stuff. They catch it early because someone finally decided to stop pushing it off. And no, you don’t need to be 60 for that to be your reality.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your eyes doesn’t have to mean becoming a total health junkie. But being a little more aware? Definitely helpful. Now I keep eye drops in my bag, give myself guilt-free screen breaks, and yes, I even booked an actual eye exam (and survived).
So if you’re reading this and you’ve never had a checkup that didn’t involve the school nurse and a giant E chart… maybe it’s time.
Your eyes have seen a lot. Might as well return the favor.
EveryLine 
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