56: Your Eyes Are Talking to Your Hormones – The Hidden Connection Between Vision, Sleep & Stress with Dr. Meenal Agarwal

Could your daily screen time be quietly disrupting your hormones, vision, and emotional balance without you realizing it? In this episode of Modern Thyroid and Wellness , McCall sits down with Dr. Meenal Agarwal , a board-certified optometrist, to explore the powerful connection between eye health, brain function, hormonal balance , and digital wellness . Drawing on her personal story and clinical insights, Dr. Agarwal explains how our modern, screen-filled lives are impacting everything from sleep to stress to spatial awareness. You'll learn how blue light exposure disrupts hormone cycles, why early presbyopia is on the rise, and how the eyes offer a window into systemic health—including thyroid disorders. Plus, Dr. Agarwal shares simple but transformative strategies like the 20-20-20 rule, visual breaks, and mindful movement to protect your eyes, brain, and emotional regulation. Whether you're a chronic screen scroller or noticing subtle shifts in your vision, this conversation will empower you to take better care of your whole self—starting with your eyes. 👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Meenal Agarwal Dr. Meenal Agarwal is a board-certified optometrist and the founder of Uncover Your Eye , a podcast and platform championing the role of vision in cognition, spatial awareness, and long-term health. Diagnosed with glaucoma at age 11, Dr. Agarwal brings both personal experience and deep clinical knowledge to her unique, holistic approach—blending optometry, mindfulness, and lifestyle medicine to improve lives in a screen-dominated world. 🔑 Key Topics Covered How digital screens affect sleep, hormones, and the brain The 20-20-20 Rule: a simple yet powerful visual reset technique Blue light myths: what’s true and what’s overhyped The underestimated importance of visual breaks and morning sunlight Why early presbyopia and nearsightedness are spiking in younger generations How hormonal shifts during menopause and thyroid dysfunction impact the eyes Spatial awareness, balance, and the peripheral vision crisis How screen time affects cognitive health and emotional regulation Dr. Agarwal’s personal journey with eye strain, anxiety, and digital detoxing Actionable tools to restore eye-brain-body balance ✅ Practical Tools & Advice 20-20-20 Rule : Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds Digital Detox at Night : Avoid screens 1–2 hours before bed to protect melatonin and sleep quality Get Morning Sunlight : 10–20 minutes without sunglasses supports circadian rhythm Spatial Movement : Regular movement restores peripheral vision and balance Rethink Blue Light Glasses : Not all are created equal—look for 30–40% filtration with anti-reflective coating 🧠 Eye-Opening Facts By 2050, 50% of the global population is projected to be nearsighted Dry eyes are a leading symptom of hormonal changes and menopause Vision loss and balance issues may stem from peripheral vision neglect The retina is the only place in the body where blood vessels can be seen non-invasively—making eye exams critical for early detection of systemic illness 🔗 Links & Resources 🌐 Dr. Minal Agarwal 💻 Website / Clinic : drmeenal.com – Pickering Town Centre Optometric Clinic 📸 Instagram : @dr.meenalagarwal 💼 LinkedIn : Dr. Meenal Agarwal 📘 Facebook : Dr. Meenal Agarwal & Associates 🎙️ Podcast Host – McCall McPherson 💻 Website : mccallmcpherson.com 🌐 Clinic Website : modernthyroidclinic.com 🐦 X / Twitter : @thyroidexpert 📘 Facebook : McCall McPherson PAC 📸 Instagram : @mccallmcphersonpa 🎥 YouTube : McCall McPherson Channel