Grants Pass, OR (PRWEB) August 20, 2013
Complaints related to dry eye, a condition resulting from dehydration or water loss in the eye’s basal tear film, are the number one reason for United States Ophthalmologist visits. Water and Health Researcher and Power of Water radio host Sharon Kleyne recently reported on the places most likely to cause dry eye discomfort. The comments were based on her own research and the “Top 100 Dry Eye Hot Spots,” a 2006 study by the National Women’s Health Resource Center.
Sharon Kleyne is Founder of Bio Logic Aqua Research, a water and health research and product development center that developed and markets the all-water personal humidifying product Natures Tears® EyeMist®. As part of her commitment to water education, Kleyne hosts the globally syndicated Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water® radio show on VoiceAmerica and Apple iTunes.
Kleyne notes that the Dry Eye Hot Spot list is headed by a city in Nevada, followed by four cities in Texas, cities in Arizona and Utah and another Texas city. The only Eastern city is in Georgia.
According to Kleyne, cities topping the Hot Spot list have in common a combination of: (1) a dry and dehydrating climate (Georgia has been experiencing a ten-year drought), (2) air pollution, (3) location where air tends to stagnate, and (4) high levels of eye allergens. Several Central Valley cities in California ranked high on the Hot Spot list whereas Los Angeles, despite the nation’s worst air quality air quality, ranked only 63rd. Los Angeles experiences ocean breezes and has fewer allergenic plants.
Other high risk environments for dry eye dehydration include indoor areas with forced-air heating and air conditioning and insulated walls and windows, airline cabins, high glare places such as ski areas and the ocean, any activity that cause one to blink less often – computers top this list, any activity or location that causes excessive perspiration, places with cigarette smoke, and other unventilated areas with airborne smoke or chemicals.
Dry eye complaints include itching and burning eyes, temporarily blurred vision, watery eyes, fatigue, headache, stress, jet lag, and a lowered ability to tolerate contact lenses. Individuals fighting off the flu or who are already dehydrated are more likely to react negatively.
Sharon Kleyne recommends drinking at least eight glasses of water a day, in addition to all other fluids, to avoid dehydration. Also, be aware of the humidity in your house and take corrective measures if it falls below about 50%, get enough sleep, avoid prolonged glare, don’t forget to blink, and bathe regularly. Sharon Kleyne’s portable hand held eye humidifying product, Nature’s Tears® EyeMist®, applied several times a day, offers convenient, all-natural dry eye relief.