Dry eyes: what to do?
Your eyes water and burn. Blinking is suddenly painful, as if you have grains of sand in your eyes. These are all possible symptoms of dry eyes. According to ophthalmologists, one in five people are affected by it today; especially people who work at a computer screen every day.
PCs, tablets, TVs and smartphones are ubiquitous in our professional and private lives. The result: more and more people have dry eyes. We look at the large and small screens with a concentrated, fixed gaze and forget how to blink. However, the regular, brief closing of the eyes is important for the formation of tear fluid. The problem is particularly aggravated in autumn and winter, as the heated, dry rooms further aggravate the symptoms.
How do dry eyes develop?
Our tear fluid consists of a watery and a greasy part. In most cases of dry eye, the cause lies in the missing oily part. The so-called meibomian glands play a central role in the formation of tear fluid. They produce the lipid layer - the oily part - of the tear film, which ensures that the aqueous part of the tears does not evaporate. In the case of dry eyes, these glands often no longer function properly or have atrophied altogether, causing the tear water to evaporate. Those who continue to blink too infrequently and are exposed to dry air, despite this circumstance, exacerbate the symptoms more and more. The cornea and conjunctiva dry out even though tears are flowing.
The methods of treatment
At the beginning it is important to admit that you have a health problem and should see an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist will make a diagnosis in order to clearly identify the symptoms and the causes. The first step is usually eye drops, gels or ointments that compensate for the lack of tear film. Often, these measures already provide significant relief for those affected. If this is not enough, the Pallas Clinics, for example, have a medical treatment device called "LipiFlow". This starts at the cause of the problem. The combination of eye massage and heat improves tear flow, and the clogged meibomian glands are reactivated. This can make a decisive contribution to improving the patient's quality of life. It is worth starting the treatment early enough so that the glands can be reactivated in time. If left untreated, the condition can lead to inflammation and corneal damage.
What you can do yourself
To prevent or relieve dry eyes, here's what you can do - even in your workplace:
Close eyes: Close your eyes in a relaxed manner so that your upper and lower eyelids touch. Keep your eyes closed like this for two seconds. Now squint your eyes really hard and count slowly to two. Now open your eyes and again count slowly to two.
Warm envelopes: Place warm, moist compresses on the closed eyelids for five minutes (Fig. 1). The heat liquefies thickened glandular secretions.
Eye massage: Use your index finger to massage the upper eyelid from top to bottom and the lower eyelid from bottom to top (Fig. 2). This will squeeze out the sebaceous glands.
Cleaning of the eyelid margin: Pull the lower lid down from the eyeball with your index finger. Carefully rub the edge of the eyelid with a cotton swab moistened with warm water (see Fig. 3). It is difficult to do this alone on the upper eyelid. Do not risk injury with the swab; ask someone for help.
Furthermore: Avoid dry room air or ensure sufficient humidity. When driving, never point the fan directly at your eyes.
This article was written in collaboration with Pallas Kliniken, a group of clinics operating throughout Switzerland, specializing in ophthalmology, ophthalmic lasers, dermatology, venous medicine and plastic surgery. www.pallas-kliniken.ch
