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Over the past year, with increased screen time, more and more patients have told us they’ve noticed an increase in discomfort or symptoms related to eye strain. In this article, we’ll look at one of them: dry eyes.
Who can suffer from dry eye syndrome?
The answer to this question is simple: everyone. While this phenomenon mainly affects people aged 50 and over, you can suffer from dry eyes at any age, whether you’re connected to an electronic device for one hour or ten hours a day. Yes, dry eyes can be one of the effects of prolonged screen use, but there are several other factors that can be responsible for this condition.
Is remote work a proud sponsor of your dry eyes?
Over the past few months, several patients have asked us: could remote work and dry eye syndrome be linked?
First, dry eye (or dry eyes) results from the fact that your eyes are unable to produce the necessary amount of natural tears, or that the tears produced by your eyes evaporate too quickly.
When you spend many hours in front of a screen, whether for remote work, school, or just for entertainment, you may experience certain effects of dry eyes: stinging, a burning sensation, discharge, or blurred vision at times.
These effects can occur because your eyes have been doing focus-intensive work for a while. When these symptoms occur infrequently, mainly when performing tasks that require concentration in front of a screen, simple exercises and healthy habits can help reduce them.
When you’re concentrating, for example during long periods of remote work, your eyelids tend to blink less often. Every time you blink, your eyes receive a layer of fluid that lubricates and hydrates your cornea. This fluid is the tear film. So when your eyes adopt a lower blink rate, they’re deprived of “lubricant,” which can cause dry eyes.
A few tips to fight dry eyes while working remotely
When dry eyes are linked to eye strain, a few tips can be applied:
The 20-20-20 rule
Even though the past year contributed to increased discomfort related to dry eyes, the number 20 can also be part of the solution. The 20-20-20 rule is simple to remember and apply. This rule involves taking a 20-second break from your screen every 20 minutes to look in the opposite direction, ideally at an object about 20 feet away. It’s also recommended to blink well during these 20-second breaks. This reminds your brain that blinking is important (this reflex decreases when you’re concentrating).
By taking these breaks throughout the day, you’ll reduce symptoms related to eye strain, and therefore the risk of dry eyes.
The importance of an ergonomic position
In addition to giving your eyes breaks, it’s important to position the top of your screen at eye level so that, when working, you don’t have to look up or down, but straight ahead. This will help you avoid unnecessarily straining your eyes (and your neck and back as well).
Other causes of dry eyes
Careful! While dry eye syndrome can be an effect of eye strain caused by prolonged screen exposure, this condition can also be chronic or more severe in some patients.
In fact, dry eye is thought to be one of the most common eye diseases. Since it initially presents mild symptoms, patients often decide to ignore them until more serious symptoms appear. As a result, dry eye often remains undiagnosed until the resulting discomfort becomes significant. Hence the importance of getting regular eye exams and consulting your eye care professional in case of symptoms or visual discomfort.
Among the main causes of dry eye is dysfunction of the meibomian glands. This is an abnormality that prevents your glands (located in your upper and lower eyelids) from secreting enough oil into your tears to prevent the water in them from evaporating.
Age, certain medications, health conditions, hormonal changes (during pregnancy or menopause), and blepharitis (inflammation of the meibomian glands and eyelids) are other known causes associated with dry eyes.
Which treatment should you choose to reduce discomfort related to dry eyes?
Once your eye care professional has made a diagnosis, they’ll be able to direct you to the right solution or treatment for your specific needs.
Among the treatments available to relieve symptoms and improve your visual comfort is the range of I-MED Pharma products and treatments.
Lubricating solutions
This range of products includes, among others, lubricating solutions such as I-DROPMD viscoadaptive eye drops (artificial tears). In addition to providing long-lasting relief and comfort, these products stand out because they contain no preservatives and require minimal daily applications for superior, long-lasting lubrication.
In addition to artificial tears, I-MED Pharma has also developed a nighttime lubricating ointment to relieve dry eye symptoms. As a protective layer, I-DEFENCEMD ointment helps retain moisture and thus soothe discomfort related to irritation and the feeling of sand in the eyes.
Hygiene and nutrition
Hygiene and healthy habits can also make a difference. Here are a few examples of habits that can have an impact on your daily visual comfort: drinking water regularly, quitting smoking, increasing your vitamin and omega-3 intake, and adopting a rigorous eye hygiene routine.
Adding an eye hygiene routine to an existing treatment plan can help fight dry eyes while helping restore the health of your cornea. A wide range of products exists to make your eye hygiene routine easier, such as I-LID ‘N LASHMD cleansing wipes and gel, I-LID ‘N LASHMD PLUS cleansing wipes, and I-LID ‘N LASHMD PRO cleansing gel.
Finally, symptoms related to dry eyes can also be relieved with a therapeutic mask like the I-RELIEFMC mask or the periodic application of warm compresses to the eyelids.
Medications and more advanced in-clinic treatments
For moderate to severe cases, your eye care professionals are also able to prescribe certain eye medications in combination with another treatment for optimal results. It’s also possible to develop a custom plan including in-clinic treatment sessions using state-of-the-art equipment and technology developed to reduce your discomfort and symptoms related to dry eyes.
For any questions about your eye health or to learn more about your options for fighting dry eyes, book an appointment with the Art d’y Voir team.
