• • Watering or burning sensation in the eyes associated with occasional redness or prickly sensation when you sit in front of an air draft as if your eyes can feel the wind, and even occasional blurring of vision are common signs of Tear Film dysfunction or Computer Vision Syndrome
  • In the present-day scenario, it can be an occupational hazard, especially in cases of excessive computer usage of more than 2hrs a day, long driving hours, binge tv watching, etc
  • The problem usually is not in the tear production but in tear evaporation. The rate of evaporation of tears is more than the actual production rate leading to what is known as evaporative dry eye. This phenomenon is also known as computer vision syndrome or tear film dysfunction
  • With increased concentration, as is the case in the above-mentioned jobs, the blink rate decreases by 75%. A human being blinks 20-22 times per minute, but during activities involving visual concentration, it is just 4-5 times per minute
  • Decreased blink rate leads to less expression of the oily component of the tear film, which is expressed every time lids blink, the glands are present in the eyelids, so it is a squeezing movement.
  • There are pathological conditions also associated with it like blepharitis ( inflammation near lashes due to seborrhoea, infection, etc., usually these diseases manifest with some additional symptoms apart from watering and burning sensation

• If it’s a dry eye, why do eyes remain wet excessively?
• It is an evaporative dry eye that causes increased evaporation giving feedback to the brain that there is a scarcity of tears over the eyes. Consequently, the brain reflexively produces excess tears. Patients often complain about watery eyes all the time despite being diagnosed with dry eyes
• How serious is it?
  • Though it’s a chronic disease, visually threatening consequences are lesser, but it affects the quality-of-life index of any person whose job description involves a lot of computer usage, driving, or other visually demanding activities
• How can we treat it?
  • In the present scenario, 70% of the IT sector, teachers suffer from these symptoms and consist of 30% of any eye specialist OPD. It not only financially burdens the patient but also overburdens the health sector. It is preventable by making mere lifestyle changes. The time saved can be utilized in treating patients in actual need.
  • Over the last 10 years, we have become too aware of the benefits of physical fitness, but still, most of us are not aware of ways to keep our eyes fit. Science travels slowly from the scientific community to the masses, and such articles and talks from our fraternity are a way to communicate science to the public.
  • What habits do we need to develop?
    • Blink frequently
    • Also known as the 20/20/20 rule, which says after every 20 minutes, take a break for 20 seconds and look at a thing 20 feet apart.
    • The reason is that when we look at something 20 feet apart, which is like a long-distance for our eyes, the intrinsic muscles are at rest. Staring at a distance is the relaxing position for our eye muscles along with there is an automatic increase in the blink rate while looking at a distance
  • Right sitting posture
    • The laptop or screen should be placed in a way that the top of the screen is aligned with our eyes so that we are slightly looking down while working on the screen
    • The benefit of downgaze is that it reduces eye exposure as compared to when we look straight
  • No technology before sleep
    • Our body secretes melatonin which regulates the sleep cycle, correlated with exposure to light
    • Using digital devices before sleep disturbs the hormonal pattern of our body, leading to improper sleep and an increase in stress
    • Stress is one known factor to cause dry eyes.
  • Ocular Massage:
    • Sitting ideally, one can rub the palms of his hand and place those warm palms over closed eyes. It gives soothing effects and increases oil secretion
  • Over the counter artificial tears
    • If these simple measures do not work, over the counter artificial tears can help
• Role of diet
  • It is observed that a ratio of omega3: omega6 fatty acids >1 is good for general health and eyelids oil quality. It implies that one needs to take more foods rich in omega 3, fatty acids, and less omega 6 FA sources.
  • Omega 3 sources are fish, seafood, flaxseed (Alsi), chia seeds, mushrooms, groundnuts, and walnuts
  • Omega 6 sources are junk foods, deep-fried foods, red meats.
• When do you need to seek a consult?
  • If there is Persistent redness and despite all measures, irritation persists
  • Gritty sensations and Eye itching with the presence of Dandruff in hair
  • Early morning matting of lashes
  • Dry eye features with associated joint pains
  • Any chronic disease (Diabetes, Thyroid, Hypertension)

These symptoms indicate some pathological reason behind the symptoms, and a medical consult is mandatory.