Dry eye syndrome might sound harmless, but every eyecare professional knows how much it can impact vision clarity. This common condition occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears, or the quality of those tears doesn’t provide adequate lubrication.
Understanding which risk factors for dry eye syndrome to tell your patients is important for helping them maintain good eye health. By explaining what contributes to the condition, you can help your patients take proactive steps to prevent it or effectively manage its symptoms.
The natural process of aging can cause a lot of changes, and dry eyes often make that list. Both age and gender play significant roles in the development of dry eye syndrome. People over the age of 50 are more likely to face a natural change in tear production.
Women are also at an increased risk. Because hormonal fluctuations affect the tear film, women who are pregnant, taking birth control pills, or going through menopause are more likely to experience dry eye syndrome.
Our surroundings can have a big impact on our eye health. Dry environments, the excessive use of air conditioning, and long hours staring at screens can all contribute to the development of dry eye syndrome. Since the modern lifestyle often involves spending large amounts of time indoors, exposure to these factors is almost constant.
To mitigate the risk, you can offer these suggestions to your patients:
Certain health conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disorders, can increase a patient’s risk of developing dry eye syndrome.
Additionally, antihistamines, antidepressants, and oral acne medications can also contribute. These medications can reduce tear production or change tear composition. If you suspect a patient’s medication might be to blame, suggest that they discuss the issue with their prescribing physician. This professional could suggest alternatives or additional treatments to help manage the condition. You could also provide medicated eye drops to help the patient improve their eye comfort.
A patient’s job can also influence their risk of developing dry eye syndrome. Professions that require prolonged computer use, such as most corporate jobs, can strain the eyes and lead to dryness.
If your patient works long hours on a computer and complains of intermittent blurry vision, that could indicate dry eye syndrome. It’s important to explain to your patient that dry eye syndrome is more than mere discomfort—compromised vision from dry eyes can even interfere with routine eye exams by contributing to inaccurate vision correction. Without an accurate prescription, patients have a greater risk of experiencing eyestrain and difficulty focusing at work.
Understanding which risk factors for dry eye syndrome to tell your patients is the first step. After explaining these factors—whether they’re related to age, health conditions, or occupation—you can suggest preventive actions to prevent patient discomfort and ensure long-term eye health.
24World Media does not take any responsibility of the information you see on this page. The content this page contains is from independent third-party content provider. If you have any concerns regarding the content, please free to write us here: contact@24worldmedia.com
