Since the beginning of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the majority of the adults are working from home in order to cut down time spent in public spaces and ultimately lower the risk of contracting infections. However, many of such people have been reportedly developing a health condition called dry eyes.
While working from home has benefits and can help in lower coronavirus transmission rates, it has been noted to increase the number of other health complications.
The adults who are constantly sitting in front of laptop screens and using cellphones throughout the day are likely to develop issues related to the eyes and vision over time due to the significant increase in screen time exposure.
However, most of the adults can not afford to cut down time spent while working on the laptop, which is why dry eyes are becoming more and more common even in younger adults.
Previously, the condition was far more prevalent in older adults. The syndrome has no single cause but is mostly associated with the process of aging.
The issue is usually a result of the reduction of tear production in the eyes, which is what mainly lubricates the eyes. The lack of lubrication can lead to irritation, redness in the eyes, sensitivity to light, a burning sensation in the eyes, and difficulty in performing tasks.
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A person experiencing the condition may have problems in reading, writing, driving, and even concentrating. Usually, a person needs to use specific anti-inflammatory medicine and make lifestyle changes to manage the issue.
While having dry eyes was also common before, eye specialists and physicians have stated that younger adults who come with such complaints tend to have additional and non-conventional symptoms.
Instead of redness and irritation, people during the pandemic have reported experiencing blurriness and changes in the vision. The symptoms, according to doctors, are worse in comparison and cause increased difficulties.
The cornea specialist at Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, Dr. Craig See, explains that the reason for changed symptoms may be due to a different reason for the eye problem.
In some cases, people do not develop the issues because of lack of tear production but due to the blockage of oil glands around the eyelid as a result of poor quality of the tears.
The clogged glands can lead to formation of a small, pimple-like, formation that can be both irritating to the eyes as well as painful. This condition is also called evaporative dry eyes.
It is recommended to go to an eye specialist as soon as possible in case any of the aforementioned symptoms of the condition appear.
Though dry eyes can be managed successfully with medical attention, there are a number of ways to cut down the likelihood of developing the condition.
For instance, while laptop use cannot be reduced, cellphones can be put away. Try to watch television from an appropriate distance instead of watching something on a cellphone.
Avoid using laptops or any screens in very low light and darkness. Also, taking breaks from screens while working can also help.
