Winter Dry Eye Season Causes Blurred Vision Warns Dry Eye Researcher
Grants Pass, OR (PRWEB) January 08, 2014 -- Winter is dry eye season, which mean that one symptom of dry eye, temporarily blurred vision, is far more likely to occur. Water and eye care researcher Sharon Kleyne warns that episodes of temporarily blurred vision can be extremely dangerous but also notes that depending on the exact cause, the condition is easily relieved.
Sharon Kleyne hosts the globally syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water® radio show on VoiceAmerica and Apple iTunes. Kleyne is also the Founder of Bio Logic Aqua Research, a fresh water and health research, education and product development center. The Research Center’s global signature product, Nature’s Tears® EyeMist® provides a personal portable humidifying mist that prevents eye dehydration by instantly supplementing lost tear film water.
Winter is dry eye season for a simple reason, Kleyne explains: Cooler air can’t hold as much water vapor – also called “humidity” – as warmer air. The dryer the surrounding air, the greater the tendency of liquid water to evaporate into the atmosphere. This increased evaporated pressure, says Kleyne, applies to lakes, puddles, lawns, and the tear film covering your eyes. When the tear film, which is 98% water, loses a portion of its water evaporation, or loses water for any reason, a condition develops called “dry eye syndrome”.
One common dry eye complaint, according to Kleyne, is temporarily blurred vision. This is most likely to occur late in the day, in the presence of dehydrating factors such as smoke and pollution, or during an engrossing activity such as working at a computer. Other dry eye symptoms include eye discomfort, itching and burning eyes, fatigue and headaches. Kleyne notes that blurred vision can also have many other causes.
Blurred vision occurs when tear film’s water content evaporates at a too-fast rate. The tear gland may overcompensate by filling the eyes with reflex tears, Kleyne explains, causing the eyes to be watery and impairing light refraction.
The dry eye rate increase in winter because more time is spent indoors, in rooms with insulated walls and windows and forced-air heating and cooling. Recirculated air can lower the humidity and increase airborne bacteria level. Low humidity, wind and bacteria are all dehydrating to the eyes.
Blurred vision can kill you, says Kleyne, noting that eye injuries and eye irritation account for 85% of reported workplace injuries. The number one reported workplace complaint associated with eyes is blurred vision. Blurred vision can affect productivity, can disorient and can compromise safety on the job.
If there has been an explosion, or the building is on fire, according to Kleyne, vision that is compromise by blurring can and often does cost lives.
Blurred vision is most commonly dangerous, says Kleyne, when driving at night. Lights may be seen as streaks which then may be more difficult to recognize as a car slowing down or changing lanes. Light streak can also make it more difficult to see lane markers and traffic signs.
The solution? According to Kleyne, if eyes are well humidified to begin with, losing a small amount of tear film water to evaporation is less likely to cause problems. Above all, says Kleyne, drink at least eight glasses of water each day, in addition to all other fluid intake. Kleyne suggests keeping a couple windows slightly open – especially in the bathroom - to let in fresh air. Kleyne also recommends house plants and bowls of water to raise the humidity/vapor level, and placing baffles on forced-air vents so they don’t blow directly onto eyes and skin. Frequent baths or showers are also beneficial.
According to Kleyne, her company’s Nature’s Tears® EyeMist® product is specifically designed to replace and supplement lost tear film moisture.
Mikaylah Roggasch, Bio Logic Aqua Research-Rogue Media, +1 (800) 367-6478, [email protected]
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