Health Tips: Staring at gadgets for too long? Put your dry eyes to rest

With the onset of peak summer, we see dried trees and parched land all around. Eyes, which are the windows to the soul, too tend to get dried up and need special care. 

Not a single day passes in the clinic without at least one patient walking in complaining — Doctor, my eyes are burning! Tears not only play an important role in the expression of emotions but are also required for the wellbeing of our eyes. While improved technology makes life simple, people using gadgets tend to get dry eyes. 

Though the exact cause is unknown, dry eyes may occur due to decreased production of tears or its increased evaporation from the ocular surface. When we use gadgets, we tend to blink less leading to greater evaporation and dry eyes. 

Since it happens more with people working on computers, it is categorised under Computer Vision Syndrome. 

Diagnosis of dry eyes is usually done using the slit lamp examination and Schirmer’s test. Schirmer’s test involves noting down the wettability of Schirmer’s paper strip before and after anaesthetising the eyes. Treatment includes lubricant eye drops/ gel, omega-3-fatty acids and eye massages. Eye exercises in the form of 2020-20 rule are also taught to patients who work on computers for prolonged periods. After 20 minutes of work, the patient should take her eyes off the monitor and look at an object 20 feet away. Frequent blinking also helps.