Dry eye syndrome occurs when the superficial tear film that protects, supplies and nourishes the outer layers of the eye, especially the cornea and conjunctiva, is too poor or of poor quality. Here are the solutions.
In the vast majority of cases, the disorder occurs due to the reduction of the frequency of blinking (that imperceptible but constant movement of opening and closing of the eyelids that allows to periodically restore a homogeneous surface microfilm) and the increase in evaporation of the aqueous component of the tear, promoted by unfavorable environmental conditions.
Among the most harmful activities for the hydration of the eye there is, as known, computer work, but in reality all situations that intensely engage the sight for prolonged periods are at risk, especially if you are in poorly ventilated places, not adequately humidified and with non-optimal heating or air conditioning systems.
Beware of lighting and air quality
The quality of the lighting also has a decisive impact. If unsuitable, in addition to forcing the eye to a greater visual effort and promoting awareness, artificial light interferes with blinking, preventing the maintenance of a good tear film.
In the open air, on the other hand, hot, dry and windy climates create the greatest problems, especially if the solar radiation is intense and you do not protect your eyes with lenses that can effectively filter UV.
Female hormones and some drugs at the bar
Other factors that increase the risk of suffering from dry eye are physiological and tend not to be eliminated.
Women, for example, are more easily affected by the disorder for hormonal reasons, especially after menopause and during pregnancy because the variation in estrogen levels alters the functioning of the lacrimal glands, resulting in a reduction in the volume of protective film.
Some drug therapies can also promote dry eyes. These are, in particular, immunosuppressive drugs, antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, antidepressants, antacids, beta blockers and other principles for the treatment of heart diseases, hormonal contraceptives.
How to behave
To mitigate the discomfort, those suffering from dry eye should first respect some rules of daily hygiene and lifestyle that can improve the physiology of the eye and preserve a more efficient lubrication.
- First of all, since the degree of hydration of the eye depends on the more general degree of the organism, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, several times during the day, even if you are not particularly thirsty.
- In addition, a perfect cleaning of the edge of the eyelids must be ensured, avoiding applying cosmetics in the area near the conjunctiva: even if of excellent quality and hypoallergenic, eyeshadows, rimmel and eye liners can undermine the balance of an already sensitive eye.
- Another essential action concerns the humidification and oxygenation of the air of the environments in which many hours a day are spent, so the house (above all, living room, bedroom and study) and the office, where usually the air is particularly dry due to the presence of computers and printers and is richer in dust.
- No great effort is needed: just open the windows often and apply humidifiers with water on the radiators.
Monitor Policy
Needless to say, then, that those who spend many hours at the computer should provide periodic breaks, for example, of 5-10 minutes every 1-2 hours and avoid wearing contact lenses for more than 2-3 hours.
Those who wear prescription glasses, on the other hand, should opt for anti-reflective lenses, especially if you work in rooms lit with neon lights.
A useful tip to everyone is, then, to orient the PC monitor in order to avoid annoying glare.
Specific solutions
To restore the right degree of hydration to the eye, it is also possible to resort to specific preparations containing lipid compounds, such as liquid paraffin, which retain an adequate amount of tear fluid on the surface of the cornea, slowing down evaporation.
Or moisturizing and “mucomimmetic” solutions, which increase the volume of the protective microfilm, also moistening the internal mucous membranes of the eyelids.
Other remedies indicated for the treatment of dry eye are eye drops and solutions based on acetylcysteine, povidone and polyvinyl alcohol.
On the contrary, decongestant eye drops should be avoided because, in addition to offering only partial and limited relief in time (at most a couple of hours), in the long run the state of the tear film and the degree of lubrication of the eye worsen.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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