Are your eyes thirsty? Add some color to your vision

Author: Huang Zhuanqing, 944th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force

Yan Xiaochuan, deputy chief physician of the 944th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force

Reviewer: Tao Hai, Professor and Chief Physician, PLA General Hospital

In the digital age, screens have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Whether it is work or entertainment, we are surrounded by screens. However, while enjoying the convenience brought by technology, staring at the screen for a long time may also put a great burden on the eyes. If you often feel dry and painful eyes, or have symptoms such as foreign body sensation, blurred vision, photophobia and eye fatigue, it may be that dry eye syndrome is quietly affecting your quality of life.

※What is dry eye syndrome?

Dry eye is a common eye disease, mainly caused by the decline in tear quality or insufficient secretion. Tears not only clean the eyes, but also lubricate the eyeball. Under normal circumstances, the surface of the eyeball is covered with a thin layer of tear film to keep it moist. When the tear film function is impaired, such as tears evaporating too quickly or insufficient tear gland secretion, the surface of the eye will become dry, thus causing dry eye. At this time, the eyes may be like dry land, losing their luster and vitality.

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※Symptoms and causes of dry eyes

Dry eye syndrome has various symptoms. In addition to the above discomfort, you may also experience red and swollen eyes, difficulty with light, etc. Its causes are complex, including long hours in front of computer or mobile phone screens, environmental factors (such as dry air), aging, side effects of drugs, and autoimmune system diseases.

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※How to relieve dry eyes?

For patients with mild to moderate dry eyes, taking appropriate measures can effectively relieve symptoms. For example, regular hot compresses on the eyes can soften the oil in the meibomian glands, promote tear secretion, and improve dryness. There are a variety of artificial tear products available on the market that mimic the composition of human tears and provide moisture for the eyes. When using, please keep your hands clean to avoid cross infection, and ensure that the liquid is accurately dropped into the inside of the lower eyelid to avoid direct contact with the cornea.

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If the symptoms are severe, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time. The doctor will formulate a drug treatment plan according to the situation, or use advanced treatment methods such as intense pulsed light therapy, drug fumigation, tear duct embolization, tear point closure, etc. If necessary, surgical treatments such as eyelid suture, loose conjunctival excision, amniotic membrane transplantation, and submandibular gland or lip gland transplantation will be performed to relieve pain and restore eye health.

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※Daily preventive measures

To effectively prevent dry eyes, you can start from the following aspects:

- Maintain good living habits: adequate sleep and a healthy diet are essential for good health. Drink plenty of water to maintain water balance in the body and reduce the possibility of dry eyes.

- Nutritional supplements: Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin A (such as deep-sea fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts, animal liver, dairy products, orange-yellow vegetables and fruits, etc.) help improve tear film stability. Moderate intake of these foods can improve the eye environment.

- Reduce adverse factors: Reduce the time of continuous use of electronic products for a long time, and relax your eyes by looking into the distance every 40 minutes to 1 hour. At the same time, reduce caffeine and alcohol intake to avoid aggravating dry eye symptoms.

- Suitable working environment: Maintain a reasonable indoor humidity and avoid being in an environment with direct air conditioning or strong wind for a long time to reduce tear evaporation.

In short, scientific and reasonable methods can effectively prevent and relieve dry eyes, restore moisture to the eyes, and enjoy a clearer and more comfortable visual experience. Protecting your eyes is to protect the window to observe the world. Let us work together to make our eyes no longer "thirst" for moisture and make life better.

References:

[1] Qian L, Wei W. Identified risk factors for dry eye syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. PLoS One, 2022, 17(8): e0271267.

[2] Qin G, Chen J, Li L, et al. Efficacy of intense pulsed light therapy on signs and symptoms of dry eye disease: A meta-analysis and systematic review[J]. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, 2023, 71(4): 1316-1325.

[3] Downie LE, Ng SM, Lindsley KB, et al. Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids for dry eye disease[J]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019 (12).

[4]Gao D, Da Z, Yang K, et al. Comparison of seven cyclosporine A formulations for dry eye disease: A systematic review and network meta-analysis[J]. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2022, 13: 882803.

[5] Asian Dry Eye Association China Chapter, Ocular Surface and Tear Disease Group of the Ophthalmology Committee of the Cross-Strait Medical and Health Exchange Association, Ocular Surface and Dry Eye Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Chinese Expert Consensus on Dry Eye: Examination and Diagnosis (2020). Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology, 2020, 56(10):741-747.