[Health Tip] Modern Disease Dry Eye Syndrome... "Proper Treatment and Lifestyle Improvement Needed"

Advice suggests that appropriate timing of treatment and lifestyle habit correction are necessary to improve dry eye syndrome, a common condition among modern people.

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According to Korea University Guro Hospital, our eyes must always remain moist to avoid discomfort when blinking and moving. However, if the quantity and quality of the tear film that maintains comfortable eye conditions decrease or fluctuate, abnormalities in the tear film can occur, which is called dry eye syndrome.

The causes of dry eye syndrome are diverse. They include aging of the eyes, thyroid diseases, medication use, as well as environmental factors such as dry weather, yellow dust, and fine dust. Additionally, dry eye syndrome has become a common condition among modern people due to lifestyle habits involving prolonged use of computers or smartphones. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, as of 2020, approximately 2,438,000 patients in Korea suffer from dry eye syndrome.

When dry eye syndrome occurs, one may feel stiffness, heaviness, and fatigue when blinking or moving the eyes, along with a foreign body sensation as if sand has entered the eye, accompanied by pain. It can also cause itching or a burning sensation, and frequent redness or headaches may accompany the symptoms.

If dry eye syndrome is left untreated, it can cause damage to the cornea and conjunctiva, leading to decreased vision, so caution is necessary. Furthermore, since symptoms are similar to other eye diseases, if symptoms are severe or persist, it is advisable to visit a hospital for treatment. Treatment for dry eye syndrome varies depending on symptoms and causes, but most cases involve using artificial tears to replenish moisture in the eyes and alleviate symptoms. If inflammation is present, anti-inflammatory treatment is combined.

Removing environmental factors that irritate the eyes and improving lifestyle habits can also help relieve symptoms. Using a humidifier to maintain appropriate indoor humidity and avoiding prolonged computer work or smartphone use are recommended. Frequently blinking and taking breaks also help.

Professor Song Jong-seok of the Department of Ophthalmology at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "If dry eye syndrome is left untreated, it can lead to not only discomfort in daily life but also vision loss, so it is important to visit a hospital for examination if symptoms worsen." He added, "Especially with environmental factors such as the recent increase in smartphone use, dry eye syndrome can occur, so it is crucial to properly adjust lifestyle habits and the surrounding environment to take care of eye health."

Professor Jongseok Song, Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University Guro Hospital.
[Photo by Korea University Guro Hospital]

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