Health
Be well: Treat and prevent dry eye syndrome from extended screen use
The average American spends nearly seven hours a day looking at screens, reports have shown — and all of that phone, tablet and computer gazing can take a toll on the eyes.
One of the effects of prolonged screen time is dry eye syndrome, which occurs when tears evaporate too quickly.
The inner eyelids are lined by rows of tiny glands called meibomian glands, which secrete a substance that keeps the eyes moist and protected, Dr. Jean Carruthers, a clinical professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, told Fox News Digital.
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“Normal blinking activates the meibomian glands,” she said.
“When people stare at screens, their blink rate can decrease by up to 66%. If the eyes do not blink enough, the glands can become clogged and, over time, suffer damage.”
“Without a healthy tear film, eyes become dry, sensitive to light and irritated,” she added.
Symptoms of dry eye syndrome can include the following, according to Mayo Clinic:
- Eye redness
- Stinging, burning or scratchy sensation
- Sensitivity to light
- Mucus in and around the eyes
- Feeling of having something in the eyes
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision or eye fatigue
- Difficulty with night driving
Carruthers shared four ways to help reduce dry eye syndrome.
1. Try eye drops or artificial tears for temporary relief
These products help to lubricate the eyes, decrease evaporation of tears and promote healing.
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“If you wear contact lenses, be sure that you are properly cleaning them and have good wearing habits,” Carruthers said.
2. Take care of your eyelid margins
A condition called marginal blepharitis causes inflammation around the roots of the eyelashes and also swells shut the mouths of the meibomian glands in each lid, which can lead to dry eye, Carruthers said.
“These important glands supply the thin ‘veneer’ of oil that goes outside the watery layer of your tear film and prevents it from evaporating,” she explained.
Anyone can experience marginal blepharitis, especially in the winter months, she noted.
To help prevent this, Carruthers recommended cleaning the eyelid margins with a soft tissue, epecially when removing eye makeup.
3. Take brief breaks from the computer or phone
During prolonged periods of screen use, experts recommend following the 20-20-20 rule.
That means taking a 20-second break and looking at a target 20 feet away every 20 minutes, according to Healthline.
4. See a doctor as needed
If dry eyes persist after trying the above steps, the meibomian glands located in the inner eyelids may have become clogged or damaged, Carruthers warned.
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In this case, she said consulting with an ophthalmologist for more advanced therapies is wise.
“New treatment options include radio frequency therapy to unclog and restore the gland’s function,” Carruthers said.
“A new non-surgical treatment, called Forma-I, employs controlled radio frequency energy that is applied to the outer eyelids and gently warms the meibomian glands,” she also said.
“This, along with slight pressure applied by the radio frequency applicator, restores the flow of the gland’s secretions.”
To read more pieces in Fox News Digital’s “Be Well” series, click here.
Health
7 important health stories you might have missed this week: Catch up here
Every day of the week, Fox News Digital publishes a range of health pieces to keep you up-to-date on the most important wellness news.
We cover cutting-edge medical research, breakthrough medications, mental health challenges, personal medical dramas and more.
In case you missed them, here are a few of our biggest health stories from this week.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
You can see a full list of recent health pieces at http://www.foxnews/health.
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If you’re feeling hungrier than usual lately, your sleep routine could be the culprit. A nutritional biologist offers tips for regulating sleep and curbing unhealthy cravings. Click here to get the story.
2. Health agencies issue bird flu update: ‘Alert, not alarmed’
The CDC and WebMD teamed up this week to deliver an hour-long update on Thursday about the current bird flu outbreak. Fox News Digital breaks down the most important points. Click here to get the story.
3. Melanoma patients share their stories
For Skin Cancer Awareness Month, two melanoma patients are speaking up about their symptoms, treatment and prevention tips to help others avoid the potentially deadly disease. Click here to get the story.
4. Report reveals staggering discrepancy in health care costs
Patients with private health insurance could be charged up to 300% more than those with Medicare, a new report reveals. Doctors explain the reasons for the sticker shock. Click here to get the story.
5. Pastor shares important message about depression
A Dallas pastor who fought his own depression battle shares how he overcame the disease – and why it’s so important for those in church leadership to seek help when they need it. Click here to get the story.
6. Nurse’s depression is cured through breakthrough tech
A Chicago nurse struggled with COVID-19-related PTSD and depression for years until electrical brain tapping therapy finally gave her a new lease on life. Click here to get the story.
7. Young vaper shares warning after nearly dying
A 22-year-old man in Nebraska required a double lung transplant due to vaping. Jackson Allard shares his story as a cautionary tale. “I had a 1% chance to live,” he said. Click here to get the story.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
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