This, in turn, forces us to keep our eyes open for longer periods of time, keeping us from blinking and leading to excess evaporation of tear fluid. This could be why overexposure to computer screens has been linked to Dry Eye Syndrome (DES).
The effects are varied, ranging from the bearable (e.g., eye irritation) to the serious (e.g., infection, inflammation and scarring of the eye's front surface).
Tears – essential in preventing eye dryness – keep our eyes healthy in many ways. For one, they prevent eye irritation. They also carry oxygen and nutrients to the eyes in the absence of blood vessels in that part of our body. Tears contain elements that heal damage to the eye surface. They also allow us to see clearly by lubricating our eyes.
Unfortunately, DES is becoming more and more common the world over. An online poll showed that 48 percent – or almost half – of Americans aged 18 and above have dry eyes symptoms.
A 2012 Gallup poll revealed that over 26 million Americans have dry eyes. The figures are expected to climb to over 29 million within 10 years.
The same problem plagues tech-savvy Japan, where one in 10 persons suffer from DES.
A research team headed by Hokkaido University's Akio Kihara created mice whose Elovl1 gene, responsible for encoding the enzyme that lengthens fatty acid chains, was taken out from all parts of their body except for the skin.
The team observed that the mice blinked often and showed signs of DES. Five months later, many of them had cloudy corneas – the part of the eye that shields it from dirt, germs and other harmful substances.
The culprit was believed to be prolonged dry eyes, which limits the damaged cornea's ability to repair itself.
The study also showed that Elovl1 gene is closely related to the creation of long-chain melbum, believed to keep DES at bay.
How do you prevent this condition, which threatens our ability to see clearly?
Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which decrease eye inflammation and increase the production of tears, is a good start. Examples are chia seeds, fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel, and walnuts. Add a generous dose of ground flaxseed and flaxseed oil, palm oil and soybean oil in your diet as well.
What do you do when you feel the warning signs of DES, like a burning sensation, itching, aching, tired and heavy eyes, sore eyes, sensitivity to light, blurred vision and others?
Home remedies are not only cheaper than prescription medication, they're often just as effective:
Our eyes are one of our most precious organs. They make us see the beauty of the world around us and enjoy life more. It pays to take good care of them.
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