Start the year strong with refreshed eyes, sharper focus, and a personalized plan for your vision health at Pacific Rims Optometry in San Francisco.
Let’s face it. San Franciscans spend a lot of time staring at screens. Whether you’re answering emails at a café in the Inner Sunset or scrolling while waiting for the N Judah, the new year is a great time to reflect on how all that screen time might be affecting your eyes. If you’re experiencing dry eyes, blurry vision, or headaches, it might be time to raise your glasses—literally.
At Pacific Rims Optometry, our eye doctors have been serving the Bay Area for over 20 years. We know that caring for your eyes means more than just updating your prescription. It means checking in on the health of your eyes, protecting your vision from modern lifestyle risks, and giving yourself the tools to see and feel better every day.
Here’s what you need to know about eye health in San Francisco and how we can help you enter 2026 with your best vision yet.
Eye Health in San Francisco: What You’re Up Against
In the City by the Bay, our lifestyle brings some unique eye care challenges. San Francisco residents are highly connected. More than 9 in 10 adults own a smartphone, and average screen time hovers over 7 hours daily. This kind of digital exposure can lead to a range of vision issues, especially when paired with our famously foggy climate, which contributes to dry air and environmental irritants like wind and airborne allergens.
A few common eye health issues we see in our patients include:
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Foggy mornings, chilly winds, and excessive screen use dry out the tear film that protects your eyes.
- Digital Eye Strain: Long hours on devices can lead to fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches.
- Myopia in Kids: Increased indoor time and device usage is driving up nearsightedness in San Francisco’s children.
- Unnoticed Eye Disease: Conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration often have no early symptoms. They are more common in adults over 40, but they’re detectable during a comprehensive eye exam.
The good news? All of these conditions are manageable. But early detection and regular care are key.
Start the Year With Better Habits for Your Eyes
January always comes with goals, and most of them fizzle out before spring. But a commitment to your eye health doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you're a parent keeping an eye on your child’s screen time, a professional balancing multiple devices, or someone looking to refresh their look and prescription, there are small changes that make a big difference.
Start with this checklist:
- Get an annual eye exam: This is the easiest way to catch early signs of disease and keep your prescription up to date.
- Take screen breaks: Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Wear sunglasses year-round: Even on cloudy days, UV rays are out. Prescription sunglasses or transition lenses can help.
- Ask about dry eye treatments: If your eyes feel tired, gritty, or watery, talk to us about relief options that actually work.
- Know your family history: Eye diseases can be hereditary. We’ll help you keep track of what matters.
We’ve seen that once patients understand the impact of small habits, they become more proactive about their care. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. And your eyes will thank you for it.
Eye Care in San Francisco That Feels Personal
At Pacific Rims Optometry, we believe that seeing clearly helps you live fully. From our locations on Irving Street and West Portal Avenue, we provide care that fits your life — not the other way around. That means making room for busy families, offering comfortable and stylish glasses for every taste, and providing clear answers to real concerns.
We offer:
- Advanced myopia management for kids and teens
- Comfortable contact lens fittings including scleral and Ortho-K lenses
- Dry eye treatments tailored to your symptoms
- Designer eyewear that makes your everyday feel brighter
We’re proud to be part of the fabric of San Francisco. Whether you’re coming from the Outer Sunset, Noe Valley, or just down the block, we’re here to help you see what matters.
Make 2026 the year you take your eye health seriously. Book an appointment at Pacific Rims Optometry in San Francisco and start the year with a clearer view.