ROLE OF TEARS
Tears (tear film) have a vital role in providing lubrication and protection to the eye surface, as well as maintaining a smooth surface for normal visual performance [16]
Dryness Prevention:
Tears coat the eye surface and also protect it from the irritants
Smoothens Surface of The Eye:
Tears provide lubrication and smoothens the eye surface and also aids in refraction of light thus enabling clear vision
Nutrition & Oxygen Supply To The Eyes:
Surface of the eyes do not have blood supply, hence, the nutrients and oxygen supply to the surface of eye is by tears produced by the tear glands of the eyes.
Prevents Infection:
Tears can provide protection against foreign bodies by washing them away. Tears also contain lysozyme, substance which has anti-bacterial action.
Heals The Surface of The Eye
Tears have substances that can heal the damage that occurs to the surface of the eye.
WHAT IS 20-20-20 RULE?
When working on your screen, apply the 20-20-20 RULE
Spending prolonged periods looking at computer, smartphone, or tablet screens can strain the eyes. Using the 20-20-20 rule can help in preventing this problem.
EYE AND YOU
OFFICE GOERS
Indoor humidity is increased due to air conditioning ceiling fans and forced air heating leading to rapid tear evaporation, which contributes to dry eye problems
CHILDREN
Medicines like anti-allergic can decrease tear production leading to dry eyes
WOMEN (POST-MENOPAUSE)
The natural ageing process is associated with dry eyes, especially women undergoing menopause
ELDERLY
Certain medicines, including anti-allergics, antidepressants, medications for anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and high blood pressure have been associated with dry eye.
POST-SURGERY DRY EYES
Eye surgery sometimes leads to less production of tears
COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME
Computer vision syndrome is a complex eye problem related to the eye stress experienced in relation, or during, the use of computer.
Simple ways to prevent and manage computer vision syndrome
- Adjust your computer display settings
- Minimize screen glare. Consider computer eye wear
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule. After every 20 minutes look at 20 feet away for 20 seconds
- Consult eye specialist if there is grittiness, burning or foreign body sensation in eyes
- Use artificial tears as prescribed by the doctor
Are small screens causing bigger vision problems?
Staring at those tiny mobile screens can bring on an array of eye issues such as blurred vision, headaches, sore eyes, muscle strain and dry eyes.
Some common symptoms of eye strain are blurry vision, sensitivity to light, headaches, and watery, itchy or burning eyes. These group of symptoms is known as Computer Vision Syndrome. It happens to be a contributing factor for dry eyes.
PREVENTION OF DRY EYES
Blink Regularly
Follow the 20-20-20 rule. After every 20 minutes, look at 20 feet away for 20 seconds
Wear sunglasses outdoors to reduce exposure to drying winds and the sun
Nutritional supplements containing essential fatty acids may help decrease dry eye symptoms
Drink plenty of water (8 to 10 glasses) every day
Eyelid hygiene also prevents dry eye symptoms
Use artificial tears prescribed by the doctor
DRY EYE TEST
Why is Schirmer’s test done?
Schirmer’s test is done to detect production of tears. An abnormal result will signify dry eyes.
How is Schirmer’s test done?
Schirmer’s test is done in an eye clinic/hospital.
Step 1
To be seated in a comfortable upright position.
Step 2
The Schirmer’s test strip will be placed in the lower eye lid.
Step 3
After 5 minutes the Schirmer’s strip will be removed from the eye. After removing the schirmer’s strip from the eye, the reading is recorded
REFERENCES
1. Bron A.J. et al. TFOS DEWS II pathophysiology report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):438-510
2. Titiyal JS. et al. Indian. J Ophthalmol. 2018 Feb;66(2):207-211.
3. Available at American Optometric Association, Dry Eye, What causes dry eyes? https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye accessed on May 10, 2018″
4. Loh KY and Redd SC. Understanding and Preventing Computer Vision Syndrome. Malays Fam Physician. 2008; 3(3): 128–130
5. Sheppard A L. et al. Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2018; 3(1): e000146.
6. Logaraj M. Madhupriya V. Hegde S. et al. Computer Vision Syndrome and Associated Factors Among Medical and Engineering Students in Chennai. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014 Mar-Apr; 4(2): 179–185
7. Alves M. Novaes P. Morraye Mde A. Reinach PS. Rocha EM. Is dry eye an environmental disease? Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2014 May-Jun;77(3):193-200
8. Gayton JL. Etiology, prevalence, and treatment of dry eye disease. Clin Ophthalmol. 2009; 3: 405–412
9. Available at www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/smokers Accessed on 9th May 2019-05-09
10. Javadi MA. Feizi S. Dry Eye Syndrome. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2011 Jul; 6(3): 192–198
11. Lawrence SD. Morris CL. et al. Lagophthalmos Evaluation and Treatment. AAO. EyeNet Magazine. 2008. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/lagophthalmos-evaluation-treatment
12. Mac Cord Medina F. Silvestre de Castro R. et al. Management of dry eye related to systemic diseases in childhood and long-term follow-up. Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2007 Nov;85(7):739-44
13. Kozeis N. Impact of computer use on children’s vision. Hippokratia. 2009 Oct-Dec; 13(4): 230–231
14. Available at National Eye Institute, Facts about dry eye, https://nei.nih.gov/health/dryeye/dryeye accessed on May 10, 2018
15. Peck T. Olsakovsky L. Aggarwal S. Dry Eye Syndrome in Menopause and Perimenopausal Age Group. J Midlife Health. 2017 Apr-Jun; 8(2): 51–54
16. Shtein RM. Post-LASIK dry eye. Expert Rev Ophthalmol. 2011 Oct; 6(5): 575–582.
17. Kamel SS. Mohammed TH. et al. Prevalence of dry eye in diabetics. Egyptian Ophthalmological Society. 2017; 110:77–82.
18. Gupta N. Prasad I. Jain R. D’Souza P. et al. Estimating the prevalence of dry eye among Indian patients attending a tertiary ophthalmology clinic. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2010 Apr;104(3):247-55
19. Craig JP. Nichols KK. et al. TFOS DEWS ll Defination and Classification report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):276-283
