(PRWEB) January 17, 2014
“Swollen eyes,” according to Bio Logic Aqua Research Founder Sharon Kleyne, is one of the most common symptoms of winter dry eye. Kleyne notes that “swollen eyes” can refer either to “blepharitis,” which is inflammation of the eyelids, “conjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva, the layer of living tissue over the eyes that contain blood vessels, or to “carunculitis, ” which is inflammation of the lacrimal caruncle, the little fleshy spot in the inner corner of the eye.
Inflammation of any or all, says Kleyne, are frequent symptoms of dry eye syndrome, which is far more common in winter than any other season. Kleyne cautions that blepharitis, conjunctivitis and carunculitis can have other causes in addition to dry eye. However, even when the ultimate cause of swollen eyes is not dry eye, all three conditions have the potential to create dry eye and induce other dry eye symptoms such as red, itching and burning eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue and headache. .
Sharon Kleyne is Founder of Bio Logic Aqua Research, a water and health research and product development center. Natures Tears® EyeMist® is the company’s global signature product for dry eyes, dry eyelids and swollen eyes. Kleyne also hosts the globally syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water® radio show on VoiceAmerica and Apple iTunes.
Dry eye, swollen eyes and red eyes are most common in winter, according to Kleyne, because colder air is not capable of holding as much gasified water vapor, also called “humidity,” as warmer air. The lower the atmospheric humidity, the greater is the tendency of liquid water in the vicinity to evaporate – including the water in the eyes. In addition, more time is spent indoors in winter. Cold air that is artificially heated will not acquire additional humidity without a water source such as a humidifier, bowls of water or house plants.
According to Kleyne, inflammatory hormones play a central role in dry eye and swollen eyes. When the surface of the eye, which is 98% water, loses a portion of its water to excessive evaporation, contact with dehydrating airborne irritants, tear and lipid gland malfunction, or disease, inflammatory hormones are produced. These hormones cause the tear film to lose water, which produces even more inflammatory hormones.
Blepharitis is also quite common and can have many causes, says Kleyne, but the lipid or oil secreting meibomian glands, located within the eyelid, are almost always involved. Lipid glands produce oils that act as a barrier to slow or prevent water evaporation from the eyes.
To relieve dry eye symptoms, soothe swollen eyes and supplement lost tear film moisture, Kleyne suggests an all-water humidifying mist applied with a personal portable hand-held misting device. The only product for dry eyes that also moisturizes and soothes dry and inflamed eyelids, conjunctivae and carunculae, is Nature’s Tears® EyeMist® from Bio Logic Aqua Research. Nature’s Tears® EyeMist® is the only product for dry eyes that contains 100% water and is applied as an ultra-fine mist.