In this episode of Brain Bytes, host Kelly Tremblay, PhD, neuroscientist and hearing and brain health expert, examines the truth about screen time and eye health—what it does and doesn't do to your vision. She explains why digital devices won't permanently damage the eyes, but can still cause real discomfort in the short term.

The conversation expands into aging and vision loss, challenging the common belief that serious eye conditions are inevitable. Dr. Kelly highlights how lifestyle, health, and early intervention play a critical role in protecting vision over time.

Most importantly, she connects vision to brain health, revealing how impaired eyesight can increase cognitive strain and even elevate dementia risk—making routine eye care more essential than many people realize.

Following are links and resources for this episode:

• National Eye Institute: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10248513/ • The Lancet Risk Factors for Dementia: https://www.thelancet.com/infographics-do/dementia-risk • "Association of cataract extraction and the risk of dementia—A systematic review and meta-analysis": https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information