Dry Eye Syndrome
What Is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a general term used to describe a group of conditions that result from a dry cornea. Dry eye normally manifests as dry, irritated eyes. It can occur as a result of the normal aging process, medications, exposure to air pollution or other environmental factors, or in conjunction with other diseases. People who wear contact lenses are also more likely to experience dry eye.
What Are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?
Eye redness is a key sign of dry eye. Other symptoms include itchiness or grittiness, burning or stinging in the eye or sensitivity to light. It feels like there's something in the eye causing general discomfort or a feeling of dryness.
People with dry eye commonly remark that their eyes tire easily, making it difficult for them to read or watch television. A clear reason for this difficulty is that the frequency of blinking typically decreases during activities that require concentration. As you blink less, there is more time for the tear film to evaporate which causes dryness.
Contact lens intolerance can also be a symptom of dry eye. Often, a person with mild to moderate dry eye may not experience symptoms until contact lenses are fitted. The placement of a contact lens can upset the delicate balance of tear film production and distribution, leading to lens intolerance.
Who Does Dry Eye Affect?
While outdoor pollutants are common causes of dry eye, symptoms may also develop in response to indoor environmental quality. Symptoms are most likely to occur when the air's humidity drops, which commonly occurs in centrally heated or air-conditioned rooms and on airplanes. Dry eye symptoms are also relatively common among workers whose jobs involve looking at a computer screen for extended periods of time. People working at computers don't blink as often as they would if they were changing focus more often.
How to Avoid Dry Eye
As obvious as it may sound, blink more often. Take breaks between activities that require intense eye focus such as reading or working on the computer. Other tips to prevent the onset or progression of dry eye include:
- Monitor the humidity indoors - Consider adding a humidifier if the air feels dry.
- Avoid heavily polluted areas whenever possible.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated.
- Don't smoke - Smoking increases the likelihood that you will suffer from dry eye symptoms
All the above is for information purpose, For any of the above symptoms
Please consult your opthamalist for further Treatment.
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