MM Dry eye
dry eye Not a in the house!
Researchers from Aston University in England have released alarming statistics regarding what is generally considered an ‘old people’s disease’. Dry eye syndrome – also known as
keratoconjunctivitis sicca - is a very common condition. Until recently, it was believed that up to ten per cent of the general population may be affected by this condition – with as many as one in three people over 70 years of age. But this new research has shown that
children are now developing the eye condition because they spend so much time staring at smartphones and tablets! The Aston University study comes on
the back of a Korean study, which was published in BMC Ophthalmology. In the Korean study, researchers tracked 816 kids, varying in range from seven to twelve years, through a series of assessments. Dry eye disease was identified in 6.6 per cent of children and, of those children, 97 per cent reported using smartphones on average for more than three hours every day. The study showed that when the children with dry eye symptoms went four weeks without a smartphone, they actually showed signs of improvement.
42 Modernmum
Symptoms The symptoms of dry eye syndrome are mild for most children, although more severe cases can be painful and lead to complications. With dry eye syndrome, most children
will complain of feeling that they have ‘something in their eyes’ – a gritty feeling. They may experience frequent blinking and may rub their eyes often. There may also be a tendency to shy away from light.
What causes it? Dry eye syndrome arises when the tear film – the thin liquid layer that normally lubricates the eyes – fails to do its job properly, leading to the eyes becoming dry and gritty. While the condition itself is common and
not serious, the problem with dry eye syndrome is that it carries an increased risk of infections, ulcerations and vision impairment. The good news is that it can be easily treated.
Treatment Dry eye syndrome is usually managed by using:
• Aqueous artificial tear products (known as artificial tears), which help to
As a new report highlights the rise of an eye condition more often seen in the elderly than in children, MM looks at how to prevent dry eye syndrome.
supplement the aqueous layer of the tear film, automatically preventing further irritation.
• Paraffin ointments: these tend to lubricate the eyes for longer periods than drops, but due to their thicker consistency, they can sometimes cause blurred vision and are more suitable for night-time.
• Liposomes: these can be sprayed onto the closed lid and, from there, can seep down into the lipid layer in the tear film, stabilising the water layer and slowing down its evaporation.
How you can help If your child is spending an exorbitant amount of time on a smartphone or tablet, then you can obviously help to limit the damage being done by reducing the amount of time they have access to the gadget. Research has shown that after only two
hours in front of a screen, the dazzling due to the shimmering caused by artificial blue light can have harmful effects such as blurred vision, eyestrain, difficulty in focusing, or even headaches. Many opticians and optometrists now supply glasses that can help to cut out the artificial blue light rays.
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