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Dry eyes should not be underestimated

Do your eyes often feel tired, burn after a long day at the computer or are constantly watering for no reason? Then – like millions of other people – you could be suffering from dry eyes. Learn more here about this widespread eye disease.

Dry eyes – what is it?

An eye specialist speaks of dry eyes when the surface of the eye is not sufficiently lubricated with tear film. This can be due to a faulty composition of the tear fluid, but also due to infrequently blinking and the protective film ruptures prematurely and evaporates.</speakable>.

Dry eyes, known in medical terms as sicca syndrome, have become one of the most common eye diseases worldwide. In Germany, one in six people already suffers from the typical symptoms. Disruption of the tear film can harm the surface of the eye in the long term and promote inflammation. Treatment is strongly advisable, as the symptoms can otherwise lead to considerable impairment of visual function as well as a reduction in the quality of life.

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Why do you get dry eyes?

The causes of dry eyes are very diverse, which is why the eye disease is so common in the general population. Its triggers include:

  • a modern lifestyle with intensive computer screen activity
  • dry indoor air, central heating
  • air conditioning
  • strong winds
  • smoke
  • exhaust fumes
  • ozone
  • environmental toxins
  • wearing contact lenses
  • age
  • hormonal adjustments, especially in women during pregnancy, menopause, and when taking the pill
  • medications
  • diseases (e.g. diabetes, Sjögren’s syndrome)
  • eye surgery
  • chemotherapy

If you blink infrequently in general, for example when working at a PC, you will encourage your eyes to dry out. With environmental toxins lurking almost everywhere in the modern world, anyone can actually be affected these days. Inflammation of the eye can also have an effect on the tear quantity or composition of the tear film.

What are the symptoms of dry eyes?

Left untreated, dry eyes usually cause unpleasant discomfort in the eyes or eyelids. The symptoms often occur with other eye diseases, too, but are nevertheless quite typical:

  • burning, scratching or itching of the eyes 
  • redness of the eyes and eyelids
  • foreign body sensation
  • feeling of pressure
  • tired eyes
  • swollen eyelids
  • sensitivity to light
  • watery eyes

Paradoxically, watery eyes can also develop because the lack of tear volume causes irritation to the surface of the eye, which in turn triggers increased tear production. As a result, the eye waters, although the cause is a lack of tear fluid. The complaints mentioned can occur together, but also individually. At the first sign of dry eyes, it is advisable to visit an eye specialist to rule out other causes and to start appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

What does the tear film do?

The tear film that protects the surface of the eye ensures that the eyes do not dry out and that environmental stimuli, dust particles or pathogens cannot penetrate the eye. In addition, the tear fluid causes the eyelids to glide smoothly over the surface of the eyes when blinking. Now, if the eye is too dry, it begins to burn or hurt, and intruders are no longer adequately warded off. This can cause inflammation.

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What can I do about dry eyes?

The first step is to treat dry eyes with lubricating eye drops. They are instilled on the eye several times a day to lubricate the surface of the eye and give it the protection it needs against intruders. Gel drops are an option for more severe and chronic symptoms, as their special composition allows that they adhere to the surface of the eye for longer. Since less tear fluid is generally produced at night, the use of an ointment can be worthwhile. But in addition, you should also become active yourself.

Infographic The tear film

5 tips to relief from dry eyes

1. Blink more often, preferably several times in quick succession, to re-lubricate your eyes.

2. If you work a lot in front of a computer screen, give your eyes a break more often and go out into the fresh air or look out of the window at the outside world.

3. Do without air conditioning in the car and in closed rooms.

4. In winter, you can put a small bowl of water in heated rooms to humidify the dry air. Regular airing also helps.

5. Avoid being in smoky rooms.

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    Why are dry eyes also known as the “digital disease”?

    A study conducted by the US organisation "The Vision Council" in October 2014 confirms the connection between computer screen work and dry eyes, which are a consequence of the digital age – hence the name "digital disease".

    The fact that our eyes dry out is very often due to today's lifestyle and the constant gazing at screens of all kinds. While working at a computer, we stare at the screen, and in our free time we are busy using our smartphones or tablets. Blinking is often suppressed. However, this also means that the regular wetting of the ocular surface fails; the tear film ruptures and leaves dry eyes without a protective film.

      Infographic Dry eyes