Manjit (not her real name) has struggled with dry eyes since her late 20s. She has high myopia – which occurs when the eyeball grows longer than it should or the cornea is too steep – and has worn contact lenses since she was 17.
Early on, she had a couple of bouts of conjunctivitis and her eyes were very uncomfortable. According to her mother, her grandmother had had glaucoma.
As the disease runs in the family, Manjit decided to speak to her doctor. He referred her to a specialist, who confirmed she didn’t have glaucoma but suggested she might be developing dry-eye symptoms from overwearing contact lenses.
She was then sent to see a cornea and contact lens eye specialist, who confirmed the diagnosis. He prescribed lubricating drops to moisturise her eyes and provide symptomatic relief whenever she wore her contact lenses.
He explained that the eyes are kept moist by layers of tears that coat the surface to allow you to see and focus clearly. Known as the tear film, these layers make one’s eyes feel comfortable and protected against harsh weather, dust, or bacteria, thanks to antibacterial properties within.
Any disturbance to the tear film will result in symptoms such as:
- intermittent blurring of vision, which may improve after blinking;
- a gritty sensation;
- discomfort and/or pain, especially on waking up;
- sensitivity to light;
- red and swollen eyes; and
- recurrent eye infection.
For Manjit, having dry eyes has impacted her daily life, particularly when she wears lenses while working at the computer for long periods. On weekends, she has to remain in a darkened room and rest her eyes, rather than go out and do things.
She tries to use a lubricant whenever she can, even though she is intolerable to certain types of drops. Thankfully, her eye specialist has helped her through this.
Working in an air-conditioned office, too, can be challenging at times because of the dryness of the air, which can make her symptoms worse.
Manjit advises those who have sight problems or discomfort in their eyes to consult a specialist. She also shares the following recommendations:
- wear sunglasses when out in sunny or windy places;
- apply lubricants regularly even when the eyes don’t feel dry;
- rest regularly when working at a computer, using the 20-20-20 rule: look at objects 20 feet (6m) away for 20 seconds after 20 minutes of intense concentration;
- stay hydrated and consume fruits with high water content, such as watermelon;
- avoid sleeping directly under the fan or air-conditioner;
- refrain from staying too long in a smoky or dusty environment; and
- don’t overwear contact lenses, especially on long journeys aboard airplanes.
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