Dry eyes beset people that spend hours staring without blinking at a computer monitor or a television screen. Generally, people who use PCs in offices and those who edit videos in broadcasting jobs often deal with this eye problem. A common remedy for dry eyes is to apply a drop or two of an ophthalmic preparation. However, some eye drops have irritating ingredients, like boric acid, that further worsen the burning sensation of dry eyes rather than relieve the pain. The truth is your eyes only need its tear ducts to flow to wash away the dirt and smog particles or a wayward lash.
Possible Causes of Dry Eyes
Dryness results from a lack of water forming into a thin film covering the eyeball. This fluid is supposed to lubricate the eyeball's movement and allow the lids to slide smoothly over the cornea when blinking. However, lack of lubricant isn't the only reason for dry eyes. People who take antihistamines and birth control pills are also vulnerable to this eye problem. In addition, individuals suffering from a medical condition, such as Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or collagen vascular disease, that limits the amount of tears the eye ducts can produce may be also at risk.
Take a Break from Work and Games
After 45 to 60 minutes of staring at the screen, computer users should stand up, stretch a little, and walk around when taking a break. They may close their eyes for a couple of minutes or look at verdant shades of color outside their window. This is especially recommended for gamers whose eyes are always exposed to fast-moving images, very bright colors, and quick bursts of light while playing. Video games today may have advanced capabilities to render three-dimensional depth in perspective and to flawlessly execute the characters' movements, but human eyes still lack the ability to follow through the flashing scenes on a flat LCD screen.
Control the Inflammation of the Affected Eyes
Doctors prescribe a mix of eye drops and natural tears to relieve the burning sensation caused by dryness in the eyes. Artificial teardrops may help wash away the irritation, but these solutions tend to constrict the blood vessels in the eyes. When the inflammation is caused by viral infection, an antibacterial ointment is applied. For chronically dry eyes, doctors may recommend Restasis, which the FDA has approved as an over-the-counter remedy that induces the tear ducts to produce more tears.
When the problem is caused by a rip in the tear duct, which leads to tears draining into the nasal passage, a surgery may be recommended to plug the ducts permanently. This plugging allows water to remain around the eyes longer. It's a quick procedure that's performed on outpatients. After a week or two of letting the surgical wounds heal, patients return to their jobs or classes without complications.
Possible Causes of Dry Eyes
Dryness results from a lack of water forming into a thin film covering the eyeball. This fluid is supposed to lubricate the eyeball's movement and allow the lids to slide smoothly over the cornea when blinking. However, lack of lubricant isn't the only reason for dry eyes. People who take antihistamines and birth control pills are also vulnerable to this eye problem. In addition, individuals suffering from a medical condition, such as Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, or collagen vascular disease, that limits the amount of tears the eye ducts can produce may be also at risk.
Take a Break from Work and Games
After 45 to 60 minutes of staring at the screen, computer users should stand up, stretch a little, and walk around when taking a break. They may close their eyes for a couple of minutes or look at verdant shades of color outside their window. This is especially recommended for gamers whose eyes are always exposed to fast-moving images, very bright colors, and quick bursts of light while playing. Video games today may have advanced capabilities to render three-dimensional depth in perspective and to flawlessly execute the characters' movements, but human eyes still lack the ability to follow through the flashing scenes on a flat LCD screen.
Control the Inflammation of the Affected Eyes
Doctors prescribe a mix of eye drops and natural tears to relieve the burning sensation caused by dryness in the eyes. Artificial teardrops may help wash away the irritation, but these solutions tend to constrict the blood vessels in the eyes. When the inflammation is caused by viral infection, an antibacterial ointment is applied. For chronically dry eyes, doctors may recommend Restasis, which the FDA has approved as an over-the-counter remedy that induces the tear ducts to produce more tears.
When the problem is caused by a rip in the tear duct, which leads to tears draining into the nasal passage, a surgery may be recommended to plug the ducts permanently. This plugging allows water to remain around the eyes longer. It's a quick procedure that's performed on outpatients. After a week or two of letting the surgical wounds heal, patients return to their jobs or classes without complications.