Natural Lighting: Why Eye Health Matters More Than You Think
Sonali Bloom is CEO of 20/20 Onsite.
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We don't know who first said that the eye is the window to the soul, but if they were around today, they might well phrase it differently. With recent advancements in medical technology, our eyes have become the window to the rest of the body.
The science is clear: Eye exams are about more than just blurry vision—now they can help catch serious health issues early. Yet, despite this, less than half of Americans get a yearly eye check-up. That's alarming when you consider that 75% of adults experience some level of vision loss. That's why eye health is an issue that both individuals and businesses need to take seriously.
Let's start with a number: 7 hours and 3 minutes. That's the average daily screen time for an American, according to recent studies. More than 40% of teenagers spend over 8 hours a day looking at screens. The result? An alarming rise in dry eye disease, sleep disruption and related issues, especially among working-age professionals. And as the workforce ages, age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration are becoming more common.
In my company, where we focus on on-location—which we call 'point of need'— eye care and clinical research, we're seeing a sharp increase in dry eye cases among people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The frustrating part is that many of these individuals have access to healthcare but don't realize that simple, painless treatments could significantly improve their symptoms. That can be solved with annual eye exams.
Companies that prioritize eye health stand to benefit both in terms of employee performance and overall healthcare savings. Research suggests that vision-related productivity loss costs U.S. businesses billions of dollars each year. Employees who struggle with uncorrected vision issues experience more headaches, fatigue and concentration problems, all of which impact productivity.
Traditionally, eye exams were mostly about figuring out if you needed glasses. But thanks to new technology, they have evolved into something far more powerful: a window into your neurological and overall health.
The eyes are unique—they're the only part of the nervous system that doctors can examine visually. New imaging technology allows us to look at the optic nerve in incredible detail, without the need for dilating drops. Why is this so important? Because diseases like ALS, MS, Parkinson's and even Alzheimer's often leave clues in the eyes before symptoms appear elsewhere.
Advancements in eye tracking and imaging technology—think VR headsets—combined with AI pattern-matching algorithms allow us to gather real-time data, leading to faster diagnoses. In some cases, doctors can even detect early signs of brain tumors through pressure on the ocular space.
The connection between eye health and systemic disease becomes clearer each year. This is why eye exams are now a standard protocol in clinical trials for popular GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs may raise the risk of serious eye conditions, on top of the eye conditions the systemic disease itself may cause. As these medications are tested for applications beyond diabetes and weight loss—including heart disease and brain disorders—regular eye check-ups will become more important than ever.
So how do we improve our approach to eye health? Here's a start:
Individuals: Schedule an eye exam at least once a year. A quick 30-minute check-up could uncover health issues that might otherwise go undetected. Take regular screen breaks and consider using blue light filters.
Employers: Make vision care a workplace priority. Whether through on-site screenings, improved insurance benefits, or simple awareness campaigns, these efforts are an investment in healthier and more productive employees. Encourage easy preventative measures like screen breaks and blue light filters.
Investors: Pay close attention to this growing R&D space. The integration of eye exams into clinical trials signals a shift in how we approach disease detection and treatment.
When was your last eye exam? If you don't remember, it's probably time to get one on the calendar.
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