Welcome to the month of July.
Ever wondered why your eyes get teary or you feel a peppery, burning or foreign body sensation after working on the computer for a while? Not to worry, you’ll understand it soon. We are over 181 days into the year 2024 and we hope you are smashing your goals for the year. The month of July is dedicated towards sensitization on dry eyes and Ultraviolet (UV) safety and protection.
The eyes are constantly lubricated by tears every time we blink. These tears not only lubricate the cornea but also provide nutrients and oxygen to the eyes and remove dust particles.
When the eyes are not properly lubricated, either because they are not produced adequately or when they evaporate quickly, the eyes feel dry.
We should also always make conscious effort to protect our eyes from sunlight and ultraviolet radiation.
Some of the causes of dry eyes include age (aging reduces the quantity of tears produced), prolonged use of digital devices, hormonal changes (during menopause and pregnancy), certain medications such as birth control pill and anti-depressants, some medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease and diabetes, environmental factors, allergies, contact lens use, etc. Women have a higher chance of developing dry eyes than men. Some of the symptoms associated with dry eyes includes:
- Tearing
- Burning/stinging sensation
- Redness
- Foreign body/sandy sensation
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Transient blurry vision
- Eye pain
- Tired/fatigued eyes
- Itching
You might be wondering “why will my water when they are dry?” Well, this happens because reflex tears are produced in excess when the eyes are dry which makes the eyes water. In order to reduce some of the symptoms associated with dry eyes, you can do the following:
- Take sufficient breaks while working on the computer screen (20-20-20 rule). Look at an object twenty feet far for twenty seconds after working on the system for twenty minutes.
- Consciously blink while using digital devices
- Use ocular lubricants or artificial tears.
- Use of eye supplements or punctal plugs
- Avoiding areas with dust/smoke
At Viewpoint, your eye health is our utmost priority. Book an appointment today at any of our branches to have your eyes checked. Kindly follow us on our social media platforms and WhatsApp channel for more interesting information on dry eyes.
Thank you, as always, for being with us. Until next time, many thanks.
Have a Jolly JulEYE