Do you often feel a burning, itching sensation in your eyes after using the computer for a long time? Have you noticed your eyes getting tired for no reason at all? Chances are, you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome, one of the most common eye problems that affects over 10 million people today.
“Anybody can be at risk for dry eyes, even children, especially now that almost everybody uses the computer every day. Using the computer for too long a time is actually one of the major causes of dry eyes,” says Dr. Annabelle Ching, a cataract and glaucoma specialist at Asian Eye Institute.
Dry eyes is a condition that results from an imbalance in the quality and/or quantity of tears that bathe the eye.
“The eye depends on the flow of tears to provide constant moisture and lubrication necessary to maintain good vision and comfort. Decreased production of fluids from the tear glands destabilizes the tear film, allowing it to break down rapidly and create dry spots in the cornea. When there is imbalance in this tear system, a person may experience dry eyes,” explains Ching.
Eyestrain can also result in dry eyes, which is caused by excessive reading, watching TV and prolonged computer use. This brings about a condition called Computer Vision Syndrome where the eye-blinking rate is decreased.
The exposed surface area of the eye is increased as well, causing dryness of the eye. Environmental factors such as exposure to dry environment like airplanes, changes in weather, exposure to salty seawater, air-conditioning, intake of hypertensive medications, chronic use of eye drops, and extended wear of contact lenses can also cause dry eyes,” says Ching.
A person suffering from dry eyes may experience eyestrain, irritation, redness, burning, grittiness, heaviness and tired eyes, blurred vision, and tearing or discharge formation.
If not treated immediately, dry eyes can damage eye tissue, possibly scar the cornea, and make the eye more susceptible to infections. Treatment of dry eyes is aimed at restoring a more normal tear film, which can be achieved by using lubricating eye drops that coat the surface of the eye to relieve the symptoms of dry eyes and protect it from irritants.
Patients can find relief in artificial tear drops such as GenTeal (Hypromellose), an effective and well-tolerated multi-dose artificial tears which contains a unique preservative that turns into water and oxygen once it comes into contact with the eye, making it preservative-free in the eye.
It comes in two forms: GenTeal (Hypromellose) Drops for mild to moderate dry eye, which provides soothing relief from grittiness, tearing, irritation, and burning; and GenTeal (Hypromellose) Gel for severe dry eyes, which soothes severe symptoms of dry eyes such as severe itching, persistent redness, blurred vision, severe irritation and frequent mucus discharge.
“Unlike other lubricating eye drops, GenTeal (Hypromellose) is very soothing and non-sticky so it doesn’t leave a residue on eyelashes. Patients will really feel relief after using it,” says Ching.
Remember that dry eyes could cause more than just discomfort but serious eye problems if left untreated.