Understanding and Preventing Dry Eye Syndrome
Hello, this is Bright St. Mary Eye Clinic.
Recently, we've seen many cases of dry eye, where prolonged dry eye syndrome leads to chronic conjunctivitis, or blepharitis due to poor eyelid hygiene.
As a result, dry eye has become a very common eye condition, affecting people of all ages.
Today, we'll briefly explore what dry eye syndrome is, why it occurs, and how to prevent it.
Dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is a condition where the eyes don't produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to dryness.
The tear film in our eyes is closely related to dry eye syndrome.
The tear film consists of three main layers, each playing a crucial role in maintaining eye health and lubrication:
Lipid Layer (Oil Layer):
Secreted by the meibomian glands, this outermost layer of the tear film prevents tear evaporation and maintains tear stability. Damage to this layer can lead to evaporative dry eye.
Aqueous Layer (Water Layer):
Comprising most of the tear volume, this layer is secreted by the lacrimal glands. It provides moisture and oxygen and washes away dust and debris from the eye surface. Insufficient aqueous layer can cause aqueous deficient dry eye.
Mucin Layer:
This innermost layer, secreted by cells on the eye surface, helps the tear film spread evenly and adhere to the eye surface. Abnormalities in this layer can prevent tears from spreading properly, leading to dryness.
If any of these three layers malfunction, dry eye syndrome can occur.
Therefore, maintaining the health of each component is crucial for preventing and managing dry eye.
Symptoms of dry eye vary but commonly include eye fatigue, foreign body sensation, burning, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light.
In severe cases, it can cause a burning sensation or even headaches.
These symptoms can disrupt daily life, so proactive measures are necessary.
So, what are the prevention and management tips to keep these components healthy?
1. Preventing and Managing Lipid Layer Damage:
Warm Compresses: Stimulate the meibomian glands to promote oil secretion. Warm compresses help open blocked meibomian glands and ensure smooth oil secretion to maintain the tear's oil layer.
Eyelid Massage: Gently massage the eyelids after warm compresses to squeeze out oil accumulated in the meibomian glands, aiding secretion. This process helps maintain a healthy lipid layer.
Using Artificial Tears with Lipid Components: If the lipid layer is damaged, tears evaporate easily due to oil deficiency. Use artificial tears containing lipid components to replenish the oil layer and reduce tear evaporation.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake: Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and mackerel, helps promote oil secretion from the meibomian glands.
2. Preventing and Managing Aqueous Layer Deficiency:
Adequate Hydration: Drink plenty of water daily to maintain sufficient body hydration, which helps maintain the tear's aqueous layer and prevents eye dryness.
Humidity Control: Tears evaporate faster in dry environments, so maintain indoor humidity between 40-60% to help the tear's water layer last longer.
Using Artificial Tears: Use aqueous artificial tears to keep your eyes moist when the aqueous layer is insufficient. It is best to choose products that do not contain preservatives.
Sufficient Rest and Blinking: When using computers or smartphones for extended periods, consciously blink frequently or practice the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) to reduce eye fatigue and promote tear secretion.
Consuming Foods that Promote Tear Secretion: Consuming foods rich in vitamin A (carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, etc.) helps the function of the lacrimal glands and maintains a healthy aqueous layer.
3. Preventing and Managing Mucin Layer Abnormalities:
Maintaining Eyelid Hygiene: Keeping the edges of the eyelids and the area around the eyelashes clean helps maintain healthy epithelial cells, which aid the function of the mucus layer, allowing the mucus layer to be well distributed on the eyes. Washing your eyelids frequently or using a dedicated cleanser can help.
Vitamin A Intake: Vitamin A is important for maintaining the health of the epithelial cells that form the mucus layer. Vitamin A deficiency can damage the mucus layer, so it is best to eat foods rich in vitamin A or take supplements if necessary.
Using Eye Humidifiers: When working or studying in dry environments for long periods, using eye humidifiers to maintain eye hydration can prevent damage to the mucus layer.
Adjusting Contact Lens Use: Contact lenses can put a strain on the eye's mucus layer. Adjust the wearing time of the lenses, and if you feel dryness, it is best to use artificial tears containing lipid components.
Overall Prevention and Management Tips!
Eyelid Hygiene: Because the lipid, aqueous, and mucus layers are all closely related to the health of the eyelids, it is important to maintain eyelid hygiene. Managing your eyelids with clean hands and performing eyelid washing regularly will help.
Regular Eye Exams: If problems occur in each layer of the tear film, dry eye syndrome can worsen, so it is best to get regular eye exams for early treatment and prevention.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Getting enough sleep and nutrients to keep your eyes healthy is essential to protecting all layers of the tear film.
As such, consistent management is important to prevent dry eye syndrome.
Next time, we will take a closer look.
Tests, treatments and surgery
And the main cause of dry eye
Up to the "Meibomian Gland"!
Bright St. Mary Eye Clinic will be with you to alleviate all of your dry eye symptoms.
Have a moist day with Bright St. Mary Eye Clinic today! :)
The medical staff at Bright St. Mary Eye Clinic prioritizes the eye health of patients, so we conduct a 1:1 precise examination with an optometrist before surgery.
Through this, we provide consultations on whether surgery is possible, post-operative corrected vision, and the most suitable surgical method for your eye condition.
We have various precision examinations and the latest surgical equipment, and our ophthalmologists also have a wealth of clinical experience, so you can expect stable results.
We operate on a reservation system, so please make a reservation comfortably before visiting and feel free to contact us with any questions. :)
Source :https://blog.naver.com/oklasik3/223756241544
No comments yet.
