Recent research has highlighted the need to boost awareness around dry eye disease (DED). A global report by Rohto Dry Aid showed that, despite the prevalence of DED, with one in two people likely to be a victim of the disease, 51% of people have no idea what DED is.
Optometrist Francesca Marchetti said people lacked understanding of the disease, why it occurred and potential symptoms. ‘Dry eye happens when you don’t produce enough tears or the consistency of the tear changes. This leads to inadequate lubrication of the tear film with inflammation and likely damage to the eye surface. Watery, itchy, gritty or dry eyes for no apparent reason, are the most common symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Tired eyes, blurred vision and sensitivity to light are just three other dry eye symptoms. Your eyes may also feel sore, irritated, burning or stinging,’ she said.
She added that dry eye had many causes from age to the environment, including wind, cold, indoor air pollution and central heating, diet, certain medications and some health conditions.
The report stated that of those that used a computer or laptop, 47% experienced headaches and 44% suffered from tired eyes. Forty-eight percent of respondents said cold weather caused dry eye, 40% blamed air pollution, 33% said air conditioning was a cause, and almost a third pointed to central heating, which most impacted those aged over 60 years. Additionally, 76% were also unaware that DED can be due to perimenopause or menopause.
Private sexual health specialist Dr Catherine Hood explained: ‘Changes in hormones can lead to dysfunction of the tear glands as well as cause reduction in the oils and mucin that protect and lubricate the eye surface as part of the tear film.’
Meanwhile, the recent survey, Not a Dry Eye in the House, by Théa Pharmaceuticals of 2,000 UK adults reflected similar distressing findings that showed people lacked knowledge around lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking, screen time usage and menopause. Only 35% were aware that air conditioned or heated environments can increase risk of DED, while 64% admitted they did not know that smokers were twice as likely to develop the disease.
The survey also revealed that 83% were regularly exposed to high-risk irritants, including screens (57%), cleaning products (28%), face creams and moisturisers (27%), kitchen smoke/fumes (23%), eye makeup (22%) and air conditioning (14%), suggesting lack of consideration or understanding of the consequences of overexposure to such factors. As little as 5% had the knowledge that women were at higher risk of DED due to heightened hormonal fluctuations, with increased risk during perimenopause, menopause, pregnancy and potentially from oral contraceptive use. Almost half (45%) of respondents thought men and women were at equal risk, and 15% of men thought they were at greater risk than women.
The figures indicated patients failed to comprehend the full gravity of the disease, as 43% who have been diagnosed with DED still have not changed their lifestyles or home environment.
Sarah Farrant, optometrist and dry eye expert, said: ‘There are many simple ways that people can look after their eyes, such as reducing screen time, giving our eyes a rest every 20 minutes when at a screen for long periods of time, wearing sunglasses outside, and adopting an appropriate eye care routine. When thinking about minimising irritants around the house, make sure you’re avoiding too much heat directed to the eyes, whether this be from heating, fans or using a hairdryer.
‘If you are exposed to these environments and start to suffer with the symptoms of DED, you should use a preservative-free drop to lubricate your eyes and try to blink more regularly, as our blink rate is often reduced with many lifestyle factors, such as screen use and driving.’