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With the rise of digital technology, experts have debated back and forth regarding the benefits and possible consequences of technology for eye health. Aside from rising concerns about digital technology impacting people’s vision and eye health, more and more people are also ditching regular eye tests for the speed and convenience of online search engine answers — even if at the risk of missing symptoms for potentially serious health conditions like cancers and brain tumours.
A study by Eye Health UK found that 19 million people do not go for regular eye tests. Among the survey respondents, 36% admitted they hadn’t had an eye test in the last two years. As such, Eye Health UK emphasises the importance of routine eye tests as optometrists can help direct people to the necessary resources for a wide range of health conditions, including the 400,000 adults in the UK estimated to be living with undiagnosed heart failure and 88,000 people living with undetected brain tumours.
While people are going for quick Google search results over proper eye tests and digital screens continue to contribute to conditions like digital eye strain, this doesn’t mean technology is all bad. Eye care providers and tech companies have committed to making vision care more accessible in recent years.
In this article, we’ll look at how tech is improving vision and eye care:
Ecommerce
Eye health experts warn against the potential harms of simply asking your preferred search engine for answers about any vision or eye health concerns. However, what the Internet does well is make buying and ordering essential eyewear easier.
Retailer Vision Express makes it easy for people to order different kinds of contact lenses online, from reputable brands like Acuvue and Air Optix. Depending on your needs, you can choose from various daily disposables, multifocal contacts, and contact lenses designed for astigmatism. Vision Express also allows customers to book an initial eye assessment for contact lenses, where an optician can advise on the best contacts for your eyes and lifestyle. The retailer can also arrange a free contact lens trial so you can find the best contacts for you.
Telehealth
In addition to facilitating ecommerce and making eye care easier, the Internet has also contributed significantly to the growth of telehealth and telemedicine. While traditionally meant to make health care more accessible within remote settings, telehealth also helps connect patients to specialist services more conveniently.
Combined with the power of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the future potential of telehealth holds promise for improving vision and eye care for all. A study on integrating telemedicine into outreach eye care stated that the UK’s blending of community optometrists and telemedicine consultations has facilitated the ease of access to “one-stop cataract surgery”, helping bridge the eye health gap among typically underserved communities and areas. Researchers also note that the rise of telehealth helps foster a culture of collaborative care, which is important considering optometrists can detect other health conditions based on eye test results.
Smart eyewear
Finally, one of the most innovative technological developments impacting vision and eye care in recent years is smart eyewear. When considering smart glasses, you may think of features like built-in cameras, music playing, and voice or video calls. However, many modern smart eyewear have been designed to improve vision and eye care.
For example, smart contact lenses from health and technology company Mojo use a tiny micro-LED display to display information to the wearer via augmented reality (AR). These lenses also have built-in smart sensors powered by batteries that can digitally correct the wearer’s vision. In the future, these smart contact lenses can also monitor eye health and catch potentially serious eye conditions as early as possible.
If you enjoyed this post on technology and eye care, you might like our post on the recently unveiled mixed reality glasses from XREAL, the Air 2 Ultra, which are lightweight titanium-frame smart glasses.

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
This article provides a thorough overview of how technological advancements are enhancing vision and eye care. It highlights the role of AI, wearable devices, and smart lenses in improving diagnoses and treatments. The writing is clear and informative, making complex topics accessible to a wide audience. However, it could benefit from more real-life examples to further illustrate the practical impact of these technologies. Overall, it’s an insightful read on the intersection of tech and eye care.