Eye care is getting a reset.
For decades, it sat in the background of everyday routines.
People reached for eye drops when irritation appeared, then went on with their day.
That habit still applies, but brands are starting to respond to something new: a generation that spends most of its waking hours looking at a screen.
That shift is exactly what Eye Mo is addressing with the launch of its newest variant, Eye Mo COOL Red Eyes.
The product introduces a cooling sensation designed for the country’s heat, while also repositioning eye care as part of daily wellness rather than a last-minute fix.
To carry that message, the brand tapped Gen Z actor Dustin Yu as its ambassador.
The choice makes sense. His schedule involves long taping hours, exposure to outdoor conditions, and constant digital engagement—factors that, combined, put strain on his eyes.
“With my daily activities, including long taping hours and time spent under the outdoor sun, my eyes easily get irritated,” Dustin said during the campaign launch.
He added that once redness sets in, it can interrupt his work.
“When my eyes turn red, I can’t continue shooting.”
That reality puts eye care in a different category. It is not cosmetic. It affects performance.
Yet when asked about how he takes care of his eyes, Dustin does not begin with products. He underlines habits.
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DUSTIN YU follows A STRICT SCREEN TIME SCHEDULE
Dustin’s approach to screen time did not come from a trend. It came from discomfort that kept repeating until he paid attention.
“Mga three years ago, naging conscious na ako sa screen time ko… kasi talagang malala yung pagka-sensitive ng eyes ko,” he told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
His eyes would feel strained after long hours on his phone. Redness would follow. Irritation would last longer than expected.
He addressed it by placing a cap on his usage.
“May sini-set akong time sa phone ko… para nakakapag-rest nang maayos yung mata ko.”
“I’m sure hindi siya lalagpas ng six hours, seven hours.”
That number stands out in a culture where phones rarely leave a person’s hand.
The limit also works with his schedule. Taping hours reduce unnecessary scrolling. Work takes up most of his day. That leaves less room for extended phone use.
“Wala rin naman chance masyado kasi busy din,” he said.
He added that he has never relied heavily on his phone for entertainment.
“Hindi ako ma-phone na tao… mas gusto ko yung nakikipag-interact in person.”
That preference supports the limit. It makes the boundary easier to maintain.
Prolonged screen use affects the eyes in several ways. Reduced blinking can lead to dryness.
Bright displays can cause fatigue. Extended focus on a single distance can strain the eye muscles.
In Dustin’s case, sensitivity amplified those effects.
The six-hour cap addresses that exposure. It gives his eyes time to recover. It reduces the chances of irritation building up.
That awareness now shapes how he manages his day.
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SLEEP AS THE BASELINE
Screen limits only work if paired with rest.
“For me, it’s important to sleep early,” Dustin said.
He does not wait for a fixed schedule. He takes every opportunity to rest when his workload allows it.
“Pag may opportunity na matulog ka nang maaga, iti-take advantage natin iyan.”
He connects that habit directly to eye health.
“Foundation ng healthy eyes yung early sleep saka good quality of sleep.”
Lack of sleep can lead to eye dryness and redness. It also slows down recovery. Combined with screen exposure, the effects become more noticeable.
Dustin keeps his solution straightforward.
“May big digital detox ako,” he said, tying the decision into what he sees online.
“Siguro yung mga bad news… yung mga crisis,” he said when asked what irritates him on social media.
Constant exposure to negative content can affect mood. That, in turn, can affect overall well-being.
EYE CARE IN PRACTICE
As a brand ambassador, Dustin acknowledges the role of products in managing irritation.
He keeps eye drops on hand during work.
According to him, they provide relief when redness in his eyes appears.
The cooling sensation of the new variant adds comfort in hot conditions.
Eye Mo has built its presence in the Philippines for over 80 years, remaining a staple in many households.
The new variant reflects a response to changing habits of the younger generations.
Filipinos now spend more time on screens. Heat and humidity add to the strain. Long commutes and outdoor exposure make irritation more common.
Eye Mo COOL Red Eyes addresses those conditions by combining relief with a cooling effect.
The campaign, “REFRESH and RECHARGE your eyes with Eye Mo COOL! #COOLngEyeMo,” positions eye care as part of daily routines.
For Dustin, that aligns with his own experience: “I get that refreshing and recharging feeling that helps me reset and stay in a positive vibe.”
WELLNESS BEYOND EYE DROPS
Dustin does not rely on products alone.
“For me, yung pagka-refresh mo or pagka-recharge mo, bonus na lang yung products,” he said.
He pointed to mental health as the starting point: “For me talaga, yung mental health doon nagsisimula yun.
“Mine-make sure ko lang talaga na yung headspace ko ay happy ako.”
That outlook affects how he handles stress. It influences how he takes breaks. It supports his overall routine.
Eye care fits into that broader view.
Outside of work, Dustin returns to simple routines.
“Mahilig talaga akong maglakad,” he said.
He has recently returned to walking more often. Rising fuel costs encouraged that habit: “Nagtatakas ako… nagma-mask ako tapos naglalakad-lakad na lang ako.”
Walking allows him time to rest his eyes and support his overall health.
On their own, these habits may seem small. Together, they reinforce his eye care routine.
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