Does Screentime Make Droopy Eyelids Worse?

Dr Y.B. Choong | Medical Aesthetics Doctor | Cienna Aesthetics Medical Clinic

Dr Y.B. Choong

Medical Aesthetics Doctor
A man holding a phone, highlighting concerns about screentime and its potential impact on droopy eyelids - Cienna Aesthetics Medical Clinic

Disclaimer:

It’s important to understand that there are several treatment options available in the market which may achieve similar results from the ones listed here. This article is also not meant to suggest that the treatments we offer are the only sole or best options.

Table of Contents

In an era of digital consumption, many people are glued to screens for hours daily. Whether for work, leisure, or staying connected, the increased reliance on digital devices raises questions about its impact on our health—including the potential effects on droopy eyelids.

In this article, we explore the connection between screen time and digital eye strain, and how these habits may exacerbate droopy eyelids.

The Link Between Screen Time and Eye Health

The rise of Digital Eye Strain (DES)

Digital Eye Strain (DES) refers to symptoms resulting from prolonged screen use. Common symptoms include dryness and irritation, fatigue or tired eyes, blurred or fluctuating vision, headaches, and neck strain.

On average, adults spend more than seven hours a day looking at screens, exceeding healthy limits. This overuse contributes to widespread DES, impacting eye health and the delicate skin and muscles around the eyes.

How screen time affects eyelids

One of the key issues with excessive screen time is the reduced blink rate. Typically, people blink about fifteen to twenty times per minute, but this rate can drop drastically during prolonged screen use.

A lower blink rate reduces lubrication of the eyes, leading to dryness and irritation. It also causes strain on the muscles responsible for maintaining the eyes’ position and function, potentially contributing to eyelid fatigue and sagging.

Extended periods of screen use can bring on fatigue, especially in the levator muscles. Over time, this fatigue may cause temporary drooping or exacerbate existing sagging of the eyelids.

Can Screen Time Directly Cause Droopy Eyelids?

Understanding ptosis and its causes

Droopy eyelids, medically known as ptosis, happen when the upper eyelid droops over the eye. It can affect one or both eyes and may be mild to severe. Ptosis is a medical condition, different from temporary drooping caused by fatigue.

Common causes of ptosis include ageing, which naturally weakens muscles and reduces skin elasticity; muscle issues, where the levator muscles that lift the eyelid are weakened; conditions such as neurological disorders, trauma, or congenital issues; and surgical side effects, as ptosis can occur.

Indirect links between screen time and eyelid drooping

While screen time does not directly cause ptosis, it can contribute to factors exacerbating droopy eyelids. During prolonged screen use, users tend to slouch or crane the neck forward, straining facial and eyelid muscles and leading to sagging over time.

Additionally, the symptoms of DES, which we discussed earlier, such as eye fatigue and dryness, can amplify pre-existing eyelid sagging, making it appear more pronounced after long screen sessions.

Signs Your Screen Habits Are Impacting Your Eyes

  • Persistent feelings of eye fatigue or heaviness after screen use.
  • Visible asymmetry in your eyelids or noticeable drooping following prolonged digital activities.
  • Frequent dryness or irritation despite using lubricating eye drops.

Adopting the 20-20-20 rule

The 20-20-20 rule is a simple way to reduce digital eye strain. Every twenty minutes, look at an object twenty meters away for twenty seconds. This practice helps your eyes relax and minimises strain.

Maintaining proper screen habits

Positioning your screen at eye level can prevent tilting your head downward, which reduces strain on your neck and facial muscles. Using adequate lighting and reducing screen glare is also essential to avoid squinting, which can fatigue the muscles around your eyes.

Strengthening eye and eyelid muscles

Incorporating exercises to strengthen your eye and upper eyelid muscles can help reduce strain. Easy eye exercises, such as focusing on a near object and then a far object, improve muscle flexibility. Setting reminders to blink more frequently during screen use helps maintain eye lubrication. Gentle facial yoga exercises can also tone the muscles around the eyes and reduce sagging.

When to Seek Professional Help

  • Persistent drooping that does not improve with rest or reduced screen use may indicate an underlying issue.
  • Interference with vision or daily activities due to ptosis should not be ignored.
  • A sudden onset of drooping or other unusual symptoms, such as double vision, may also warrant a medical consultation.

In such cases, consulting an aesthetic professional is recommended. They can evaluate your condition and recommend appropriate treatments.

Upper Eyelid Ptosis Treatment in Singapore

Understanding the connection between screen time and droopy eyelids, you can take proactive steps to protect your eyes and reduce the strain on the delicate skin and muscles around them. If you want professional upper eyelid ptosis treatment, consider Cienna Aesthetics Medical Clinic.

Cienna Aesthetics Medical Clinic in Singapore provides solutions for upper eyelid ptosis. Our treatments address cosmetic concerns, ensuring patients achieve optimal results tailored to their needs.

Book an appointment for upper eyelid ptosis treatment in Singapore.

Disclaimer:

There are other possible options available when it comes to some of these aesthetic treatments. The information and advice published on or made available through this website is for informational purposes and not intended to replace the professional advice of a trained health professional.

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Disclaimer: This blog post content was adapted from existing material available in the public domain. No copyright infringement is intended. Credit to original sources has been provided for reference wherever necessary.