by Every day more patients come to professionals’ offices with eye discomfort after intense days of work on the computer. The most common symptoms are eye irritation, itchy eyes, and sensations of dryness and grit on the surface of the eye.
This is how dry eye disease manifests itself, affecting between 5% and 50% of the world’s population. The origin of the disorder can be due to multiple causes, but lifestyle plays an important role. And among the main risk factors is the use (and abuse) of screens.
The time we spend in front of computers, mobile phones or tablets reduces the number of blinks and increases the number of incomplete blinks, which prevents adequate distribution of tears across the surface of the eye. Additionally, screens are a source of projected light that raises the temperature of the ocular surface and increases tear evaporation.
For example, in the University of Santiago de Compostela We carried out a study with university students who were forced to receive mixed teaching during the covid pandemic: 50% of the classes were in-person and 50% telematic. According to the data we collected, increased screen time was linked to more severe drought symptoms. Users who used screens for activities other than classes (that is, more than 8 hours) showed higher symptomatology values.
Although in certain jobs it is impossible to reduce the hours we spend glued to these devices, it is possible to reduce the discomfort by following certain recommendations. But first you have to be clear about some basic concepts.
Of tears and blinks
The ocular surface is made up of the eyelids, tears, cornea and conjunctiva, tissues whose health is linked to their proper functioning. If any of them are altered, it can trigger a series of anomalies that will cause eye discomfort.
The tear that covers the surface of the eye is made up of two layers, one made up of water and proteins and the other made up of fat. The first is responsible for hydrating the eye, while the second prevents tears from evaporating quickly. An alteration in either of the two will disrupt the properties of the tear, which will prevent it from being well distributed on the ocular surface and discomfort will begin.
Finally, the eyelids are responsible for distributing tears across the ocular surface, in addition to protecting them from external agents. Blinking little, like when we use the computer, contributes to the tears not being distributed properly over the eye.
Do I suffer from dry eye?
First of all, there is no need to be alarmed: manifesting symptoms of ocular dryness does not mean that we are suffering from this ailment. The guide prepared by the Tear film and ocular surface society It makes it clear that, in addition to symptoms, patients must present signs of damage to the ocular surface. It is the vision professional who must determine if this damage exists and what measures must be taken.
There are a series of signs that should put us on guard. These symptoms include a sensation of dryness, itching, burning, eye irritation and watery eyes. Although researchers have identified that after using screens the most common symptom is irritation.
What can I do to reduce these discomforts?
If we follow a series of precautions, our relationship with screens can be friendlier.
Screen layout and height. It is recommended that it always be below the primary viewing position. This helps the eyelids open less and, therefore, the eye is less exposed.
Screen position in relation to lighting. We must avoid having lamps on the screen or windows behind the user. It can also be solved by putting anti-reflective filters, since these force us to concentrate more, and consequently, reduce our blinking rate.
Breaks. They are going to be our great allies. A commonly recommended rule is the 20-20-20 rule. That is, for every 20 minutes of work we look at objects more than 20 feet away (about six meters) for 20 seconds. The application of this technique will reduce the symptoms of drought. Stopping looking at the screen during that time will restore our normal blinking.
Unfavorable environmental conditions. Low humidity, high temperatures, drafts – whether from open windows or air conditioners –, tobacco smoke and excess air fresheners harm eye health.
Eye hydration. It can be the best option on busy work days. Salty dreams should be avoided, since their composition is not the same as that of tears. Lacking fat and protein, they can destabilize the tear film. The best option is artificial tears in a single-dose version, which lack preservatives and do not damage ocular tissues.
In short, presenting symptoms of ocular dryness is common in the times we live in. If we confront them with the appropriate strategies, this will have a positive impact on our quality of life.
Jacobo García Queiruga: Interim Professor in the Area of Optometry (OD, MSc, PhD), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Belen Sabucedo Villamarín: Predoctoral researcher in Molecular Medicine at GI-2092 in Optometry, University of Santiago de Compostela, University of Santiago de Compostela
