August Is Sight Saving Month: Know the Signs of Dry Eye Disease
Are you the type who checks your phone within minutes of waking up? According to the best ophthalmologists in the Philippines, looking at the bright screen of your phone in the morning when your eyes are still adjusting to the light can strain your eyes. This morning habit can take a toll on your eye health, causing discomfort, headaches, and dry eyes.
August is Sight Saving Month, a reminder to prioritize your eye health. It’s a perfect opportunity to pay closer attention to your vision and manage eye conditions that are often overlooked, such as dry eye disease (DED).
The Care Center Clinic, the best one-stop clinic in the Philippines, encourages you to get your eyes checked to give your eyes the care they deserve.
What is Dry Eye?
Tears do more than express your emotions. They play an important role in keeping your eyes healthy. Tears help protect your eyes from infection by keeping them moist and helping flush dust, dirt, and other debris.
When your eyes don’t produce enough tears, it can lead to a condition called dry eye disease (DED). According to Mayo Clinic, inadequate production of tears leads to inflammation and damage of the eye’s surface.
Decreased tear production can be linked to the following factors:
- Age – It is normal for tear production to decline as people age, making dry eye disease common in people over age 55. However, new studies show the prevalence of DED among young people.
- Hormonal changes
- Wind, smoke, dust, and dry air
- Prolonged use of digital devices
- Allergic eye disease
- Autoimmune conditions
- Inflamed eyelid glands
- Contact lens use
- History of refractive surgery
- Certain medications
- Diet low in vitamin A
What are the Symptoms of Dry Eye?
The following signs and symptoms usually affect both eyes:
- Eye redness
- Burning, stinging sensation in your eyes
- Itchy and gritty feeling (as if there’s a grain of sand in your eyes)
- Light sensitivity
- Presence of mucus in or around your eyes
- Blurred vision
- Tired eyes
- Watery eyes
- Trouble wearing contact lenses
- Night driving becomes more challenging
How is Dry Eye Diagnosed?
If you experience symptoms of DED, it’s best to visit the Care Center Clinic for a comprehensive eye exam to confirm if the problem is dry eye or something else.
How is Dry Eye Treated?
For most people with mild dry eye symptoms, using over-the-counter eye drops, also called artificial tears, can help lubricate dry eyes, reduce redness and swelling, and soothe irritation.
If your dry eye is caused by other medical conditions, you may need regular follow-ups to monitor your condition.
How to Prevent Dry Eye?
Here are some practical tips to prevent dry eye:
- Blink often while using your devices.
- Cut down on screen time, reduce screen brightness, and take gadget breaks.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses in environments where wind, smoke, and dust exposure are likely.
- Moisturize your eyes with artificial tears.
- Wear contact lenses as instructed. Rinse them in an approved solution.
- Give your eyes a break from lens wear. Do not sleep with your contact lenses to prevent serious eye infections.
- Place a warm compress over your eyes for 10 minutes each evening.
- Include foods rich in vitamin A in your diet, such as dark green leafy vegetables, papayas, oranges, squash, pumpkin, carrots, egg yolks, liver, and fish liver oils.
Bottomline
August is Sight Saving Month, making it the perfect time to prioritize your eye health. Adequate tear production is essential to keep your eyes lubricated and flush out dust and debris. When your eyes don’t produce enough tears, you can develop dry eye disease (DED). This may cause eye discomfort, eye fatigue, blurred vision, and more. If you experience persistent dry eye symptoms, consult an ophthalmologist at the Care Center Clinic, a primary healthcare provider in the Philippines, for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is dry eye disease (DED)?
Dry eye disease is a condition that occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears. This can make your eyes dry, red, itchy, and feel tired. DED can also cause a burning sensation and blurred vision.
2. What causes dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease can be caused by aging, excessive screen time, certain medications, hormonal changes, and environmental factors such as wind or dust.
3. Can dry eye disease affect my vision?
Yes. Dry eye disease can cause temporary blurred vision and make activities like reading or driving at night more challenging.
4. How is dry eye disease treated?
An ophthalmologist may recommend artificial tears to lubricate and protect the surface of your eye.
5. Who is likely to suffer from dry eye disease?
People at a higher risk of developing dry eye disease include older adults, people who spend long hours using digital devices, contact lens wearers, and those experiencing hormonal changes.