Dry eye occurs when your eye do not produce enough tears to stay wet, when tears do not work correctly. This can make eyes feel unconformtable, and in some cases it can also cause vision problems.
Dry eye is very common. In fact it affects at least (> 16) millions of Americans alone every year. Luckely if effected by dry eye, there are lots of remedies that can help to keep eyes healthy and stay confortable.
When spending lots of time working in an office or from home and beeing (either standing or sitting) in front of a computer screen often individuals suffer from eye irritation.
Dry eyes easily happen if one spends lots fo time looking at at a computer, tablet or smart phone screen
If severe dry eye is not treated, it can in some cases damage the cornear, the clear outer layer at the front of the eye.
Introduction
The eyes are dry and reddened and sometimes they sting. This situation even gets worse in the wintertime when humidity levels in the housings start to dip because of the dry central heating air, which, incidentally, is also a major cuase of colds because it dries out out the mucous membran in the mouth, throat and nose thereby rendering an inidividual much more susceptible to infections by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi and therefore also the common cold.
Symptoms
Dry eyes most commonly cuase: 1. Scratchy feeeling, like as there is something in the eye if even there is nothing 2. Stinging or kind of burning feeling in the eyes 3. Visible blood vessels in the white of the eyes 4. Red eyes 5. Light sensitvity 6. Blurry vision
Risk Factors
Potentially anyone can get dry eye, however it is more likely to develop dry eye if * Age > 50 * Female * Wearing contact leneses * Insufficunet vitamin A (foind in fouds like carrots, broccoli, and liver) or omega-3 fatt acids (as found in fish, walnuts, and vegetable oils) * Certain atuoimmune conditions, like lupus or Sjogren syndrome
Causes
Under normal conditions, the glands above the eyes make tears that keep the eyes wet. Dry eye occurs when the tears do not work. This could be due to: * Glands produce insufficient tears to keep the eyes wet * Tears dry up too fast * Tears do not work sufficiently to keep the eyes wet
Treatment
Treatment for dry eyes normally depends on the what is causing the symptoms. In general there are few different types of treatments that can ease the symptoms and help to keep the eyes healthy:
Lifstyle changes: If the environment is causing dry eye, or it is making it worse, the eyes can be protected by several simple lifestyle changes such as:
- Avoid smoke
- Avoid wind*
- Avoid air conditioning
- Avoid heaters
- Use homdifiers to keep the air in rooms from getting to dry
- Limit screeen time and take breaks from staring to long at screens (e.g. 20/20 rule: every 20 minutes stare away on far objects for at least 20 seconds)
- Wear protective goggles or wraparound sunglasses when outside
- Drink plenty of water - at least 8 - 10 glasses every day
- Get sufficient sleep - at least 7 - 10 hours a night
Over-the counter eye drops: The most widely treatment for mild dry eyes are a special type of eye drops that are called artificial tears. Those drops can be obtained without a prescription. Moreover, over-the-counter moisterizing gels as well as ointments may also help the eyes to feel better.
Prescription medicines: If the dry eye is more serious, an eye doctor may provide prescription for medicnes such as cyclesporine or liftegrast.
In order to conteract these unpleasant side effects which life in building invariably brings with it there are several extra steps to take:
- Ensure eyes get enough moisture
- Ensure the right room climate
How to make yourself cry:
- Use artificual tears or simple sterile saline soltion
- Encouge yourself with sad stories
- Cut onions
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| Dry Eye |
Flair: Health
Collection: Advice
