From desk-to-dinner hydration hacks to smart eye drops, here’s how to keep your vision sharp and stylish in a screen-heavy world.

Screens rule our lives. Whether it’s Netflix marathons or TikTok scrolls, our poor eyes barely get a break. Digital eye strain is real, and it’s high time we showed our peepers some love. But what really works to relieve it? Instead of recycling generic advice, we spoke directly with trusted eye health professionals – Dr Jason Lee and Dr Jayant V Iyer, Senior Consultants and Medical Directors at The Straits Eye Centre, Camden Medical Centre – to uncover practical, science-backed ways to care for your eyes in the digital age.

From the type of eye drops ophthalmologists actually use, to small habit tweaks that make a real difference, here’s your no-fuss guide to keeping your eyes bright and comfy.

Six smart ways to soothe screen-tired eyes

1. Follow the 20-20-20 rule (seriously!)

In a perfect world, we’d all take eye breaks every 20 minutes. But most of us are glued to screens for eight to 10 hours a day. The real problem? Not the screen time per se, but the lack of breaks. Dryness, blurred vision, and trouble focusing are red flags that it’s time to switch up your habits.

Pro tip: try the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, I take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet (around six metres) away and wow, it really makes a difference. Total game-changer for easing eye strain and keeping my peepers happy.

2. Drink up, buttercup

First up: hydrate! Not just with water (though yes, drink up), but with conscious blinking – something we weirdly forget to do when we’re zoned in on a screen. As someone with recurrent corneal erosion (a painful condition where the surface of your eye doesn’t heal properly and is triggered by dry eyes), I can definitely attest to this. You don’t want your eyes drying out – it hurts like hell. Staying hydrated also helps keep your tear film (your eye’s natural protective layer) healthy and intact.

3. Use eye drops that don’t mess with your eyes

Not all eye drops are created equal, especially if dry, irritated eyes are a daily struggle. The best ones pack hydrating heroes like hyaluronic acid, which locks in moisture and delivers instant soothing relief, and carmellose, a clever ingredient that mimics natural tears to form a protective shield over your eyes.

If you’re using drops on the regular, go preservative- and phosphate-free. Preservatives can cause irritation over time (especially post-Lasik or if your eyes are extra sensitive), as well as phosphates. They can build up and harm the cornea – not ideal for already delicate peepers.

That’s where Evolve Eye Drops shine. They’re preservative- and phosphate-free, ultra-soothing, and formulated to support your tear film for long-lasting comfort and clarity. Plus, the multi-dose bottle design beats single-use vials on every front. It’s more cost-effective, less wasteful, easier to use on the go, and stays sterile with proper care. Oh, and the formula can also last up to 90 days compared to a month for other multi-dose eye drop contemporaries.

Choose the right formula for your needs: go with Evolve Quick Relief for mild to moderate dry eyes, or opt for Evolve Dry Eye Max if your symptoms are on the moderate to severe side. You can easily find these eye drops at retail pharmacies such as Guardian, Unity and Watsons, as well as hospital retail pharmacies, select clinics island-wide or online via Lazada and Shopee.

4. Eat your way to healthier eyes

Your diet matters. Some nutrients are especially beneficial for eye health, including omega-3s (from fish, flaxseed, and walnuts) that are great for tear production; vitamins A, C, and E (from carrots, citrus, and nuts) to help fight oxidative stress; and lutein and zeaxanthin (from leafy greens) for retina health.

5. Are blue light glasses worth it?

Blue light glasses get a lot of hype. While they might reduce glare and even improve sleep quality, their actual benefits for eye health are still debatable. I used an anti-blue light screen protector on my laptop for years and honestly didn’t notice a huge difference. What did help? Setting up my screen ergonomically – think a bigger display or keeping a healthy distance from your device – and taking regular screen breaks. Set reminders or use time limits to force yourself to step away. Old-school tip, but it works like a charm.

6. Create a spa day for your eyes

Give your eyes the TLC they deserve. Start with a warm compress to relax strained muscles and boost circulation. I use a USB-heated eye mask; it’s like a spa sesh for tired eyes. Throughout the day, keep those preservative-free eye drops handy (dry eye girlies, you know the drill). Then wind down with a gentle eyelid massage and a cleansing foam to clear debris and support tear quality. And don’t skimp on sleep, your eyes need beauty rest just as much as your skin does.

When to call in the pros

Still struggling despite all the TLC? Persistent dryness, blurred vision, redness, headaches, or trouble focusing are signs that it’s time to see an eye care professional. Don’t wait it out; early intervention is key to keeping your vision sharp and healthy.

Your eyes deserve the best, so treat them right with smart habits, nourishing food, and a bottle of eye drops in your bag or pocket for instant relief whenever screen fatigue strikes.

To view the full article, head over to Honeycombers

Founder of holistic supplement brand MIRIQA®, Geraldine Lim reflects on the love story with her husband which ultimately birthed the brand.

For Geraldine Lim, the founding of MIRIQA® began as a love story when she met her husband, Winthrop Wong. Both working in pharmaceuticals and both church-goers, they met at their church’s group activities and bonded over their shared careers. “He was such a good church boy,” Geraldine laughs while reminiscing, “For our first few meetings he would insist we go out as a group and not just the two of us, it was very traditional”.

They were married within a year of meeting, with a romantic proposal in Perth sealing the deal. After that, Geraldine joined Winthrop’s family business, WellChem Pharmaceuticals, an early pioneer in the Singapore industry, which turns 50 this year. Originally started by Winthrop’s family, it is now run by the couple themselves. “I feel like in your 20s and 30s, you’re not very confident yet, so it was a challenging time,” says Geraldine looking back. “But now I’ve learned, after lots of experience, that it’s best to hire slow, fire fast. So after 15 years, I think we have really great staff. We’ve grown the team from 10 to close to 50 now.” In addition to MIRIQA®, the couple have also spearheaded Glovida Pharmacy, a consumer-focused e-pharmacy that offers online pharmacist consultations and convenient doorstep delivery of medications and health essentials.

MIRIQA® came about after the birth of her children when Geraldine experienced postpartum hair loss at the end of 2019. “We had always seen the opportunity in wellness and supplements, but when I experienced postpartum hair loss, I looked around and could not find a supplement that was specific to hair,” she recalls. “Every aesthetic clinic we spoke to said they only had supplements for skin. Then when Covid hit – and more people were losing their hair from stress – it seemed like the right time to launch.” MIRIQA® also produces supplements for UV protection, better sleep, collagen banking and has recently launched a new product focused on eczema, though that is currently only available at doctors offices. “The new buzzword [in health], is actually the gut skin axis,” says Geraldine. “90% of our immune system is from the gut, and by taking care of your gut you can improve your skin.”

Ultimately, when it comes to new products, she is largely inspired by her own experiences. “We tend to look at what we need at different life stages. For example, I had insomnia after having children, I had hair loss, and pigmentation issues, so these are supplements we have created,” she explains – challenges that are not only personal, but also commonly experienced by many others navigating similar phases of life.

Ageing well is a trend she feels is meaningful and important today. This preventative approach rather than a treatment approach means that people are looking into their diets, into their nutrition, and looking into taking care of themselves, both from inside out. “I think the key word is, people want to be independent,” she says. “I don’t want to grow old and have my children take care of me. I want to be able to be able to take care of myself so that I will not be a burden to them. That’s the best gift I can give to my children – to be independent.”

Geraldine and Winthrop have two children, a son and a daughter both approaching their teenage years. “Luckily they still want to travel with us,” laughs Geraldine. As someone who once joked that if she was not in pharmaceuticals she would be selling diamonds, she enjoys making her purchases overseas as a memento of the trip. “It’s a core memory, because every time you look at this, there’s a story to it.”

Case in point, the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo she purchased for Winthrop in Paris. “I know he doesn’t like ostentatious things, and that he prefers pieces that are quietly sophisticated with some science and technicality to it.” On a trip to Paris, she decided to buy it for him, but the store at Galleries Lafayette had to bring it in from another location. While the couple was waiting, there was a riot inside the mall. “That’s quite a core memory for the both of us” laughs Geraldine.

While most couples would shudder at the thought of both working and living together, Geraldine and Winthrop seemed to have developed a truly symbiotic relationship, anchored by shared interests and a deep respect for each other. “She’s what I like to call our CVO – Chief Visionary Officer,” says Winthrop, who accompanied his wife to this interview and gamely added his observations. “She’s got ideas and drive. Sometimes I pull her back, sometimes she pushes me along.”

Read the full story on Solitaire

An orthopaedic surgeon discusses how this approach helps alleviate pain caused by joint injuries and chronic conditions.  

Knee pain is a common condition that can affect mobility and overall well-being, often stemming from sports injuries or chronic conditions like osteoarthritis that develop over time. Depending on the patient’s profile and the severity of the knee condition, treatment approaches range from lifestyle changes and low-level interventions – including weight management, physiotherapy and mild painkillers – to more advanced procedures.

“For moderate cases, treatments such as platelet-rich plasma or hyaluronic acid injections can help reduce pain and promote healing,” said Dr Hamid Razak, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Total Orthopaedic Care & Surgery.

In other instances, patients may require surgical procedures such as cartilage repair, meniscus repair or realignment of the knee joint, known as an osteotomy. Total knee replacement, said Dr Hamid, is reserved for cases when other treatments are no longer effective.

CARTILAGE REPAIR, EXPLAINED

Among surgical options, cartilage repair is recognised for its role in restoring the knee’s natural function. Specialists like Dr Hamid tailor this treatment based on factors such as size, location and condition of the cartilage defect.

“Cartilage repair focuses on addressing the damaged surface of the knee joint, improving its natural cushioning and smoothness,” he said. “It’s similar to patching a worn-out tyre to ensure a smooth ride. Early intervention not only prevents further deterioration but also relieves pain caused by exposed bone rubbing against bone.”

There are various techniques for cartilage repair. These range from hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds like Hyalofast that support cartilage regeneration to allograft osteochondral plugs, where healthy donor cartilage and bone are used to repair damaged areas. In some cases, these approaches are enhanced with ortho-biologic products (substances that promote tissue healing), such as bone marrow aspirate concentrate and mesenchymal stem cells.

IS CARTILAGE REPAIR SUITABLE FOR YOU

Cartilage repair is generally most effective for younger, active patients with well-aligned, stable knees and healthy meniscus tissue. However, as more older adults adopt active lifestyles, age is becoming less of a limitation for the procedure.

“I recently treated a 60-year-old badminton enthusiast who chose cartilage repair over total knee replacement,” shared Dr Hamid. “With proper alignment and stable ligaments, he was able to return to his favourite sport with ease.”

This technique can also benefit athletes aiming to resume their routines. Dr Hamid recalls treating an athlete in his mid-20s who returned to his sport nine months after undergoing cartilage repair using a hyaluronic acid-based scaffold combined with mesenchymal stem cells, which play a pivotal role in cartilage regeneration.

“The stem cells act as a repair crew,” said Dr Hamid. “The scaffold serves as their ‘home base’, anchoring them at the damaged site, where they transform into cartilage-producing cells to restore hyaline-like cartilage that mimics the joint’s natural cartilage in appearance and function.”

AN OVERVIEW OF HYALURONIC ACID-BASED SCAFFOLDS

Unlike metal implants or total knee replacements, hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds support new cartilage growth while preserving the knee’s natural structure. They may also reduce the risk of biofilm-related infections – hard-to-treat bacterial infections that form a resistant layer – one of the leading causes for implant failure.

Dr Hamid uses autologous minced cartilage together with hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds to improve both the quality and durability of the procedure. “This augments cartilage repair by utilising the patient’s healthy cartilage surrounding the defect as a source of viable cartilage cells,” he said.

According to Dr Hamid, hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds have been widely used by orthopaedic surgeons globally for over a decade. Free of animal by-products, they are suitable for most patients, including Muslims, vegetarians and vegans.

He explained that cartilage repair using hyaluronic acid is typically performed through minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopy (keyhole surgery), which minimises tissue damage, supports faster recovery and enables patients to return home within a day or two.

“Most patients can resume light activities within weeks,” Dr Hamid said, adding that physiotherapy – crucial for optimal healing – can begin almost immediately. While high-impact activities like running or jumping should be avoided for at least three to six months post-surgery, a personalised rehabilitation plan developed with a physiotherapist aids recovery during this period.

Dr Hamid also highlighted that cartilage repair using hyaluronic acid could lower the chances of requiring complex revision surgeries.

“Younger patients undergoing total knee replacements face a high risk of revision, as noted in a study in The Lancet,” he said. “Biocompatible scaffolds provide an alternative by addressing cartilage damage early, which could delay or eliminate the need for total knee replacement.”

Dr Hamid advises patients to consult an orthopaedic specialist to determine if hyaluronic acid-based scaffolds are a suitable option: “This treatment can be effective in many cases, though it is important to consider each case individually. Early intervention is key to managing knee issues and optimising results.”

Explore these orthopaedic treatment options.

To view the full article, head over to CNA Lifestyle.