When cry also no tears

THERE is a price to pay for those who work long hours behind a computer screen or are constantly using their smartphone. They will eventually suffer from a condition known as 'dry eye'.
There are also many other reasons why a person could suffer from dry eyes.
It could be due to the environment they are in, or underlying health issues that include lifestyle diseases like diabetes.
At a recent Systane Malaysia event to raise awareness about this growing eye condition, consultant ophthalmologist Dr Sivakumar Sundralingam (far right) at Columbia Asia Klang, said: "The dry eye spectrum is a very wide spectrum (and) digital eye strain is one part of it".
Digital eye strain is the discomfort characterised by dryness, irritation and blurred vision of the eyes, caused after staring at multiple digital screens for a long and sustained period of time.
According to a 2015 report by the Multimedia and Communications Ministry, the average Malaysian spends five to eight hours a day staring at their digital screens, which include different gadgets such as laptops and desktops, smartphones, tablets and television sets.
The continued occurrence of digital eye strain can lead to dry eye condition, which in turn, can lead to long-term issues with a person's vision.
This can interrupt the person's ability to perform daily activities, such as reading or even driving, especially at night.
When you notice a blurring of your vision and redness in the eye, or feel uncomfortable from the glare of lights, or suffer from bad night vision, it is time to seek the attention of an eye specialist.
An optometrist can also help detect this problem during a routine check.
"Dry eye condition has been on the rise over the past couple of years," Sivakumar said. "(But many) people are unaware they are having this problem.
"Before digital eye strain, we (noticed) another condition known as 'computer vision syndrome'. That is when we don't blink enough.
"When you blink, it is like a pump that releases the tears. If you don't blink, no tears will be released, and your eyes stay dry."
He added that a thin layer of tears is supposed to spread on the surface of the eye every time a person blinks.
"When a person has dry eye condition, the tear glands don't produce enough lubrication to moisten and protect the eyes, which (gives rise to) feelings of discomfort and irritation."
Those afflicted with dry eyes will then need 'artificial tears' to help lubricate their eyes and keep them healthy.
Sivakumar said those who use digital gadgets often are encouraged to regularly use eye drops to help prevent their eyes from drying up too quickly.
"Our tears are like our spectacles," he concluded. "Without these 'spectacles', you will have blurry vision".
Here are some tips you can follow to help overcome this problem:
Decrease the brightness of your computer or smartphone screens to a level comfortable for your eyes;
Take a break, even for a short while, from staring at the screen after every 20 minutes to rest your eyes; and
Avoid staring at digital screens at close range. View them from a comfortable distance.