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Dry eye and screen strain treatment in Vasco, Goa

Burning, stinging, gritty or tired eyes, eyes that feel heavy by evening, blurring that clears when you blink: these are the everyday symptoms of dry eye and screen strain. They are among the most common reasons people see an eye doctor. In Goa they are made worse by air-conditioned offices, ceiling fans, long scooter rides into the wind, dust in the dry months before the monsoon, and hours on computers and phones. This page explains what the two problems are, how they are checked at ReNew Vision and how they are treated.

What is dry eye?

Each blink spreads a thin film of tears over the eye. The tear film has three parts: a watery layer, a mucus layer that helps it stick to the eye, and an oily layer from tiny glands along the eyelid edges (meibomian glands) that stops the tears drying too fast. Dry eye happens when the eye makes too few tears or, more often, when the tears evaporate too quickly because the oil glands are blocked or the blinks are too few.

Dry eye can cause:

• burning, stinging or a gritty, sandy feeling
• red, tired eyes, worse in the evening or after screen work
• blurring that comes and goes and clears with a blink
• discomfort with contact lenses, wind, smoke or air-conditioning
• watering, because a dry, irritated eye makes extra reflex tears that do not wet it properly

For the many reasons eyes become dry, read what causes dry eyes.

What is screen strain?

Screen strain, also called computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain, is the group of symptoms that follows long hours on computers, laptops, tablets and phones: tired, sore or dry eyes, blurred vision, trouble refocusing when you look up, headaches, and neck and shoulder ache. People blink less often, and less completely, while they concentrate on a screen, so screen strain and dry eye often go together. An out-of-date spectacle power, uncorrected astigmatism and the need for reading power after 40 add to the strain. The symptoms are covered in detail in our guide to computer vision syndrome symptoms.

How are dry eye and screen strain checked?

1. Your story. The eye doctor asks when the symptoms come on, about your screen hours and work, air-conditioning, contact lens wear, your general health (such as diabetes, thyroid problems or arthritis) and all the medicines and eye drops you use.
2. Vision and spectacle power. The vision of each eye is measured, and your power is checked for distance and for screen and reading distance.
3. The eye surface and eyelids. Under the slit lamp microscope, the eye doctor looks at the lid edges and oil glands, the tear film and the cornea. A drop of harmless yellow dye shows dry patches and how quickly the tear film breaks up after a blink.
4. Other causes. Allergy, blepharitis (inflamed lid edges), eyelids that do not close fully and infections can feel like dry eye, and are looked for.

You leave with an explanation of what is causing your symptoms, a plan and, if needed, a new spectacle prescription.

How is dry eye treated?

Treatment usually goes in steps, starting with the simplest, and the plan is adjusted at follow-up visits.

Daily habits and surroundings

• Blink fully and often during screen work, and take regular breaks.
• Point air-conditioner vents and fans away from your face, and do not sit for hours directly under a ceiling fan.
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses or a helmet visor when riding, and keep away from smoke.
• If contact lenses feel dry, wear them for fewer hours, and ask whether another lens type would suit you.

Lubricating eye drops

Lubricating drops, often called artificial tears, add to the tear film. There are many kinds: thin and thick drops, gels, and ointments for use at night. For people who need drops often through the day, drops without preservatives are usually gentler on the eye. The eye doctor advises which type suits you and how often to use it.

Warm compresses and lid care

When the oil glands are blocked, a warm compress on the closed eyelids for a few minutes softens the oil, and gentle massage and cleaning of the lid edges help it flow. This needs to be done regularly, often for some weeks, before it makes a real difference.

Prescribed treatment

If inflammation is part of the problem, the eye doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drops or other treatment for a set period, and will check your eyes while you use them. Some of these drops can raise eye pressure, so do not continue them beyond the time advised.

Treating what lies behind it

Allergy, blepharitis, a thyroid problem or a medicine that dries the eyes may need attention too. Never stop a medicine prescribed for another condition without first asking the doctor who prescribed it.

Symptoms can return when the season or your work changes, so follow-up visits help keep dry eye in check.

How is screen strain treated?

• The right spectacle power. Even a small uncorrected power or a little astigmatism can cause strain. After 40, many people need glasses set for screen distance, or lenses designed for the middle distance; see reading glasses after 40.
• Screen set-up. Keep the screen at about arm's length, with its top at or just below eye level, so that you look slightly down. Make the text bigger instead of leaning in, cut glare from windows and lights, and match the screen brightness to the room.
• Breaks. A common habit is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds. It is widely advised but has been little studied, so treat it as a reminder to rest your eyes and blink, not as a treatment in itself.
• Dry eye care, as above, if the surface of the eye is dry.

Lenses that filter blue light are often sold for screen strain, but good studies have not shown that they reduce it. Read are blue light glasses worth it?

When should I see an eye doctor?

Book a visit if burning, grittiness or tiredness lasts more than a week or two despite better habits, if you need lubricating drops many times a day, or if your vision blurs often. Come in the same day if the eye becomes painful, very red or sensitive to light, if your vision drops, or if you wear contact lenses and the eye turns red. These are not signs of ordinary dry eye.

Dry eye care at ReNew Vision

Dry eye and screen strain are seen in the Eye OPD, Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm, at ReNew Vision Eye Hospital, 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem, Vasco da Gama. Bring your spectacles, any drops you use and a list of your medicines. Call or WhatsApp 072489 88039. If you need new spectacles, the Vision Correction Centre is in the same building. Other problems of the front of the eye are covered on the red eye, dry eye and cornea page.

Questions patients ask

Can dry eye be treated permanently?

Dry eye is often a long-term condition. With the right habits, drops and lid care, symptoms can usually be reduced, and the plan is adjusted at follow-up visits. Dry eye caused by a medicine, an illness or recent eye surgery may improve once that cause has been dealt with.

Is it safe to use lubricating eye drops every day?

Lubricating drops can be used daily. If you need them many times a day, ask the eye doctor about drops without preservatives, which are usually gentler. Drops that take away redness are a different kind of drop and should not be used regularly.

How long does dry eye treatment take to work?

Better habits and lubricating drops can ease symptoms within days. Warm compresses and lid care often take some weeks of regular use, and prescribed treatment also works over weeks. Follow-up visits let the eye doctor see what is working and change the plan.

Can I wear contact lenses if I have dry eye?

Often yes, with the right lens type and wearing time, once the dry eye is under control. Some people need to wear lenses for fewer hours, or change to daily disposable lenses. The eye doctor checks the surface of the eye before advising.

Where can I get dry eye checked in Vasco?

At ReNew Vision Eye Hospital, 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem, Vasco, in the Eye OPD, Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm. Bring your spectacles, your drops and a list of your medicines. Call or WhatsApp 072489 88039.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.