What causes dry eyes and eye fatigue?

People who spend a long time in front of the computer should feel it deeply. They may experience dry eyes, red eyes, eye fatigue, and even tears. These symptoms will seriously affect vision. The culprit causing these problems is likely to be dry eyes.

So what is dry eye?

Let's first look at the definition of dry eye (2013 national ophthalmology experts consensus): Dry eye refers to a type of disease caused by abnormal tear quantity or quality, resulting in tear film instability and damage to the ocular surface, which leads to eye discomfort symptoms. It is the most common ocular surface disease.

To put it simply: the main mechanism of dry eyes is the instability of the tear film.

What is the tear membrane?

Tear film: refers to the tears evenly distributed on the conjunctival sac and cornea, forming a thin film of liquid, which is divided into three layers from the inside to the outside: mucus layer, aqueous layer and lipid layer. The main function of the outermost lipid layer is to "lock water and prevent moisture evaporation", and the occurrence of dry eyes under normal conditions is closely related to it.

How is the tear membrane "damaged"?

The lipids in the tear film are secreted by the palpebral glands in the eyelids. Abnormal function of the palpebral glands will lead to a decrease in the secretion of the lipid layer or the secretion of pathological lipids, resulting in a decrease in its "water-locking" function.

In addition, long-term use of video terminals, reduced blinking, and dry air can cause tears to evaporate too quickly, making the tear film unstable and eventually causing dry eye symptoms. Over time, this can cause some pathological changes on the ocular surface.

So what should we do for this type of dry eyes?

Through a series of methods, our palpebral gland function can be restored to normal state, including physical therapy methods such as hot compress and massage of the palpebral gland, and corresponding Chinese medicine fumigation can be used to promote the repair of its function.

Reduce the time of using video terminals (mobile phones, computers, televisions, etc.), spend more time outdoors, travel more, etc., so that your eyes can get enough rest.

Avoid using the air conditioner for too long and maintain the humidity of the indoor air.

In severe cases, you can first use eye drops to improve the symptoms (need to be hospitalized for examination and prescribed medication).

In addition, there is a saying that goes, "Illness comes like a mountain falling, and goes like a thread being pulled out." Although some symptoms caused by dry eyes do not seem so serious, if you want to completely cure this type of dry eyes, you still need a systematic and long-term treatment process, such as hot compress therapy on the eyelids. You cannot fish for three days and dry the nets for two days. You must persist every day and take every step carefully to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Of course, some patients suffer from dry eyes due to blepharitis, chronic conjunctivitis, keratitis, pterygium, history of double eyelid surgery, and systemic immune system diseases, which can make the tear film unstable.

Some of the problems that cannot be solved by the above methods may require surgery and other corresponding treatment measures. You can be admitted to the hospital for examination and given an appropriate treatment plan based on the doctor's diagnosis.