by Erik Van Tongerloo

Created on: December 15, 2010

 Suffering from dry eyes has become a big medical problem in today’s world. The increase of air pollution and the more frequently use of a computer has a negative impact in the production of tears which are necessary for the health of our eyes. People who don't suffer this health problem nowadays often don't take the necessary precautions because they don't realize the gravity of this problem.

Suffering from dry eyes is a serious eye discomfort that always has been existed but the changes in our living circumstances causes a higher risk to be victim of this eye discomfort. In the past people spend more time outside and a computer was mostly not necessary to get a job. These facts were more beneficial for the health of our eyes and to prevent suffering from dry eyes.

There are also other causes why people suffer dry eye syndrome.  For a part it is also an aging process, especially during menopause and can also be a side effect of some medicines. Wearing contact lenses increases the risk of suffering from dry eyes. You best consult an eye-doctor before you decide to wear contact lenses and surely if you already suffer from this eye-discomfort. You best avoid smoky places and environments with air-conditioning because this can irritate your eyes and causes suffering from dry eyes.

The most important reason of dry eyes is that you don't blink enough with your eyes. When you work with a computer, watch television or read a book, you blink 5 times less frequently than normal.
The combination with suffering from an allergy makes everything still more terrible. You can try to find out what causes the allergy but often you can prevent the causes of the allergy you suffer. In many cases you can only take some medicines to relieve the pain and to make your life a little bit comfortable.

Once you suffer from dry eye syndrome you have to accept this eye-discomfort and follow the necessary treatment to relieve the pain because dry eyes can never be cured. The best treatment for dry eyes is using eye drops (artificial tears) and to blink frequently. Even if you don't suffer from dry eyes and you use a computer almost every day you can better drop artificial tears in your eyes because you need sufficient tears in your eyes.

Another helpful tip to reduce the pain is using a gel to moisten your tear film. You always need to be careful with the kind of gel you use because most of them contain medicinal preservatives that may cause allergy. Ocugel is a good product which may help people to relieve the pain of suffering from dry eyes.  It is often best to use both (artificial tears and a gel to moister your eyes).
Very important is also the treatment of the Meibomian Gland Dysfunction. With a finger massage you can push your glands empty. Be careful and do it with movements in the form of a circle. You have to do it once a day and it is helpful to relieve the pain.

You also best don't forget to wear sunglasses in summer. Direct sunlight exposure to our eyes is harmful, especially when you suffer from dry eye syndrome. Sunglasses serves as an eye protection and you best wear these if you go outdoors in periods with heavy sunlight. Environmental factors, for example wind, dust, and sun may cause or trigger dry eye syndrome.

The symptoms of dry eyes are persistent dryness, burning in your eyes and mostly you have the feeling of sand in the eye. Other symptoms are redness and blurring of vision.
You have also a greater risk to get more frequently conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Take the necessary precautions for the health of your eyes and don’t forget to blink enough. It is the best tip which people can give and may help you to reduce the risk of suffering from dry eyes.

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