During the spring, the consequences of a long stay in overheated homes and offices with dry air are often manifested. A burning and cutting sensation in the eyes, as well as excessive tearing, can indicate dry eye syndrome. Find out how to prevent it and what to do to get rid of these inconveniences.
More and more people know the unpleasant feeling, as if sand or small dirt got into your eye. Blurred vision, frequent blinking or general eye fatigue is added to it. The good news is that with proper care and simple habits, you can significantly reduce or prevent these problems altogether. What can you do for your eyes today and how to protect yourself from the approaching summer?
Protect your eyes during sports and ventilate regularly
Fresh air is essential. By regular ventilation, you help maintain optimal humidity in the room and prevent drying of the eye mucous membranes. Pay attention to the air conditioning, which can irritate the eyes in the same way as overheated rooms.
With the arrival of warm days, many take out their hiking boots, bikes and skates. If you don’t wear glasses during sports, you increase the risk of eye irritation and dryness. By wearing protective sunglasses, you partially insulate the wind and dry air and thereby contribute to maintaining moisture in the eyes. However, it doesn’t matter what kind of sunglasses you get.
“People often forget that the eyes require the same protection as the skin – high-quality sunglasses with a UV filter. Intense UV radiation, dry air, air conditioning, but also wind and dust can disrupt the stability of the tear film and lead to dry eye syndrome,” explains Nikolaj Bakala, a doctor working in the field of ophthalmology. Cheap glasses “from the market”, where you are not sure that they have a sufficient protective filter, can do more harm than good to your eyes.
Give your eyes regular rest
Regular breaks can help maintain natural eye moisture. “In addition to taking regular breaks when looking at a monitor for a long time, exercising your eyesight is also an important activity. It involves looking at more distant objects and places,” informs Dr. Ivana Krčová. So experts recommend a simple 20–20–20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at an object about 6 meters (20 feet) away for 20 seconds. In this way, the eyes will rest and their natural moisture will be restored.
Dry eye syndrome does not escape young people either
Dry eye syndrome is most often associated with older people, as the production of natural tears decreases with age and the eyes become more prone to drying out. However, experts point out that younger people are increasingly suffering from this problem, especially as a result of frequent use of the phone and computer.
Eye drops containing hyaluronic acid, also known as artificial tears, can provide quick relief from the unpleasant symptoms of dry eye. “Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the tissues of living organisms. It is therefore completely unique to the human body. It has the ability to create highly viscous solutions, which represent a perfect lubricating agent. It can bind a large amount of water, thus providing the tissues with a moist environment that is essential for cell regeneration,” Krčová adds.
“Eye drops with hyaluronic acid moisturize the surface of the eye and create a delicate protective film on it, thanks to which it quickly relieves the feeling of dryness, cutting and brings relief from unpleasant symptoms,” says Bakala.
If necessary, see a specialist
If the symptoms of dry eye syndrome do not improve or, on the contrary, worsen, despite trying individual tips, do not hesitate to contact an eye doctor. He can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.
