Valerie Sheety-Pilon, O.D., Vice President, Clinical and Medical Affairs at VSP Vision Care discusses #DryEye – a condition affecting more than 16 million people in the United States. One of the top three ways to help alleviate discomfort from dry eye is to take a break from your screens. Excessive screen time has been linked to dry eye, which is a common symptom of digital eye strain. Read the full post below for the rest of her tips, including to be sure to check out new research from VSP Vision Care in our recently released #WorkplaceVisionHealthReport for more on the link between digital eye strain and screen time. #VSPVisionCare #SeeWellBeWell #DryEyeAwarenessMonth #DryEyeDisease #EyeHealthandWellness #EyeCareIsHealthcare
July is Dry Eye Awareness Month 👀 Did you know, each time you blink, your eyes get a moisturizing bath from a fluid that your body makes? This fluid – which is mostly a combination of oil, water, and mucus – spreads over your eyes, keeping them smooth, hydrated, and clear of irritants. When our eyes are healthy, they make enough fluid to keep our eyes moist and comfortable, but when something gets out of whack with this system, we can develop dry eye disease – a condition that affects more than 16 million Americans. Here are my top 3 ways to help alleviate discomfort from dry eye: 💧 Moisturize your eyes with artificial tears. Look for ones that are specifically “preservative-free,” and avoid products claiming to “reduce redness,” as these products restrict the flow of blood in the eyes and can create even more long-term dryness and discomfort. 💻 Take breaks from your screens. Between work and our personal lives, most of us are juggling multiple different screens daily. Excessive screen time has been linked to dry eye, which is a common symptom of digital eye strain. This is because our eyes blink less when we are focusing up close on a digital device. Blinking lubricates the front surface of our eyes, helping to keep our eyes comfortable and our vision clear. Whenever you find yourself spending a long time looking at a digital device, take frequent breaks. Get up, walkaround, stretch, or look out the window to give your eyes a rest. (Check out new research below from VSP Vision Care for more on the link between digital eye strain and screen time.) 👩⚕️ See your local optometrist. The treatment for dry eye can be different depending on the root cause of your dry eye, so it’s very important to see your eye doctor for diagnosis – especially for chronic dry eye or if you are in great discomfort. Your optometrist can discuss a treatment plan that is best for you, which may include eye drops, prescription medications, tear plugs, or lifestyle changes. #DryEyeAwarenessMonth #DryEyeDisease #EyeHealth #Optometry #Healthcare https://lnkd.in/gAghRPjp