The eye problem that affects one in three people and worsens with winter.

Tears are necessary to moisturize the eyes and remove particles that have entered. A healthy tear film is necessary to enjoy good vision. But when the eye is unable to maintain a healthy layer of tears, a condition known as dry eye occurs. It is a very common ocular pathology (approximately 30% of the adult population suffers from it) and its incidence increases with age. It is a chronic disease that affects the superficial part of the eye (the cornea and conjunctiva) and can cause serious discomfort. This visual problem can be divided into two main types: dry eye secondary to decreased tear production (acuadeficient) and dry eye secondary to excessive tear evaporation (evaporative). The first is associated in many cases with some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, which can cause a reduction in tear production. While the second, which is the most common, is usually related to blepharitis, with alterations in the meibomian glands (very important in the process of tear stability) or with some hormonal changes (which is why it is common to suffer from it in the menopause). When a person suffers from this type of dry eye, their tears have a lipid deficiency that causes them to evaporate more quickly. There are also cases of mixed dry eyes, which affect both the quantity and quality of the tears, explains Dr. Paola Vázquez, an ophthalmologist specializing in cornea and dry eyes at Clínica Baviera. Most common symptoms of dry eye A rough or gritty sensation, similar to what it feels like to have something inside your eye. Redness of the eye area. Discomfort when performing tasks that require some visual effort such as reading or watching television. Itching, burning, eye stinging or uncomfortable ‘eye stinging’ sensation. Visual fatigue and feeling of heaviness. Photophobia or fluctuating blurred vision. Inflammation of the ocular surface. Among the habits that can help reduce symptoms are avoiding stuffy environments, taking a break from screens, blinking, drinking plenty of water, using artificial tears, using humidifiers when we spend a lot of time in closed environments or staying away from tobacco smoke. “It is important to keep in mind that this disease worsens in winter, since we stay for many hours in places without heating ventilation, which dries out the environment, intensifying the symptoms and discomfort,” confirms Dr. Vázquez. . . If you have discomfort, Dr. Vázquez advises going to the ophthalmologist to determine the type of dry eye you suffer from and the degree of involvement. «Dry eye treatments, as a chronic pathology, are usually long-term and must be repeated from time to time. Fortunately, we now have new techniques, such as intense pulsed light (IPL), with which we can improve symptoms and reduce the discomfort suffered by patients,” explains the expert.