Do your eyes feel tired or irritated after a long day at the office? In today's modern office
environments, dry eye syndrome is becoming an increasingly common issue, particularly among those who spend extended hours in front of computer screens. Dry eye occurs when your eyes either don’t produce enough tears or when they evaporate too quickly, causing symptoms like:
- Eye fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Red eyes
- Watery eyes
- Burning sensation
Environmental Factors Contributing to Dry Eye
- Low Humidity: Air conditioning and heating systems, commonly found in office spaces, often reduce humidity levels in the air. Dry air can cause tears to evaporate faster.
- Air Quality: Office environments often have poor air circulation, with stale or recycled air that can irritate the eyes. Dust, allergens, and pollutants can also contribute to discomfort, further aggravating the symptoms of dry eye.
- Computer Screens and Blue Light: Prolonged exposure to computer screens can lead to a condition known as Computer Vision Syndrome, which is closely linked to dry eyes. People often blink less frequently while focusing on screens, leading to less moisture spread across the eye. The constant exposure to blue light from digital devices can also contribute to eye strain, increasing the chances of dryness and discomfort.
But I Don’t Have Any Symptoms
Have you ever noticed how, after getting dressed, you don’t constantly think about the feeling of your clothes against your skin? Initially, you might be aware of the texture or tightness, but as time passes, your body simply becomes accustomed to it. You stop actively feeling the fabric, even though it’s still there. This is a perfect example of sensory adaptation, where the brain tunes out repetitive stimuli to prevent overstimulation.
In the same way, dry eye symptoms can be overlooked. At first, you might feel a bit of
discomfort, a slight irritation, or a dry scratchy sensation in your eyes. But over time, as your brain adjusts to this constant irritation, the symptoms become less noticeable. This is especially true in environments where overstimulation occurs—like in busy office spaces or while staring at screens for long periods.
What Can Be Done?
A comprehensive eye examination or further dry eye clinic assessments will provide more
information to the cause of your dry eyes and ways to manage it. Sometimes it is a simple fix, but dry eyes can be related to underlying health conditions, thus a full eye test would always be recommended for screening purposes. Links will be provided below to our other blogs discussing these topics.
Here are some things you can implement in your office:
- Maintain Proper Humidity: Use a humidifier in your workspace to maintain moisture in the air. Ensure that you fill it with distilled water to avoid impurities that could irritate the eyes
- Blink More Often: Make a conscious effort to blink more frequently, or follow the 20-20-20 rule - every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. On average, people blink 12-15 times per minute, but when using a screen, this rate can drop to as low as 5-7 times per minute.
- Adjust Screen Settings: Reduce screen brightness, use blue light filters, or adjust contrast settings to lessen eye strain.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps ensure that your body produces enough tears to keep your eyes moist.
- Use Artificial Tears: Lubricating eye drops can provide relief for mild dry eye symptoms.
Testimonial
A young female patient came in for a routine eye exam, concerned that her vision had worsened. She had been experiencing a burning sensation in her eyes and found herself blinking frequently to clear her vision. After assessing her eye health, we discovered that her spectacle prescription remained stable, however she was suffering from undiagnosed dry eye. To address this, we recommended eye drops that form a protective layer over the eye, helping to retain moisture and provide relief.
When she returned for a follow-up two weeks later, we found two key things: her prescription was still unchanged, but the daily use of the drops in her office environment had significantly improved her symptoms. She reported a remarkable 90% improvement in both visual clarity and eye comfort, highlighting how targeted treatment for dry eyes can have a transformative impact.
Links to additional dry eye blogs
Understanding Dry Eyes:
https://www.spectaclewarehouse.co.za/blog/our-blog-1/understanding-dry-eyes-115
https://www.spectaclewarehouse.co.za/blog/our-blog-1/dry-eyes-117
Types of Dry Eyes:
https://www.spectaclewarehouse.co.za/blog/our-blog-1/types-of-dry-eyes-58