July is Dry Eye Awareness Month! Let’s Talk About Eye Health

Did you know that July is Dry Eye Awareness Month? This initiative by Prevent Blindness aims to educate us all about the significance of dry eye disease and its impact on our lives. ???????

What is Dry Eye??

Dry eye happens when your eyes can't produce enough tears or the right kind of tears. This can lead to a condition known as evaporative dry eye or aqueous tear deficiency. Either way, it’s uncomfortable and can potentially damage your cornea.?

Why Should You Care??

Ignoring dry eye isn’t just about dealing with a little irritation. It can lead to serious issues, including damage to your cornea. Plus, the discomfort can interfere with your daily life, making it hard to focus on work, enjoy hobbies, or even just relax.?

Are You at Risk??

Certain factors increase your risk of developing dry eye:?

• Age: Being over 50?

• Hormonal changes: Especially for women?

• Contact lenses: Prolonged wear?

• Digital screens: Overuse of phones, laptops, etc.?

• Medical conditions: Diabetes, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases?

• Medications: Such as sleeping pills, antidepressants, allergy meds?

Symptoms to Watch For?

Dry eye symptoms can be sneaky and often mimic other conditions. Look out for:?

• Itchiness?

• Redness?

• Burning sensation?

• Increased sensitivity to light?

Prevent Blindness and Awareness Efforts?

Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Awareness Month to help spread the word about this common yet often overlooked condition. They’re also releasing an insightful episode in their Focus on Eye Health Expert Series featuring Dr. April Jasper discussing "Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)".?

Understanding Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)?

MGD occurs when the glands in your eyelids don’t produce enough oil or produce low-quality oil. This leads to rapid evaporation of the tear film, exacerbating dry eye symptoms.?

How to Prevent Dry Eye?

Here are some simple steps you can take:?

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water.?

• Use a Humidifier: Add moisture to the air in your home or office.?

• Take Breaks from Screens: Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.?

Treatment Options?

For those already experiencing dry eye, there are various treatments available:?

• Over-the-counter eye drops can provide temporary relief.?

• Recently, the FDA approved MIEBO (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution), a new prescription eye drop targeting tear evaporation.?

?Highlight: Dr. Harbir Sian’s Journey?

Harbir Sian , an esteemed optometrist, shared his experiences in building a dry eye clinic. His journey highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of dry eye, not just the symptoms. Dr. Sian’s insights can be incredibly valuable for both patients and practitioners. Check out his article here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/building-dry-eye-clinic-101-behind-scenes-look-one-journey-sian/?

Dr. Harbir Sian has significantly enhanced dry eye treatments at his clinic, Clarity Eye Care. By incorporating advanced technologies such as iLux, which applies gentle heat and pressure to unblock meibomian glands, and Intense Pulsed-Light Therapy (IPL) to reduce inflammation and improve gland function, Dr. Sian ensures his patients receive top-notch care. These innovations, along with personalized treatment plans, reflect his commitment to addressing the root causes of dry eye and improving patient comfort and eye health.?

Engage with the Community?

This month, let’s raise awareness by sharing posts, engaging in discussions, and tagging experts. I’m looking forward to hearing more from Harbir Sian and other eye care professionals on this topic.?

Dry Eye Awareness Month is a great reminder to take care of our eyes. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments can help us all take proactive steps toward better eye health. Let’s spread the word and keep our eyes healthy and comfortable.?

Stay healthy and take care of your eyes! ??????

Feel free to share this post to spread awareness and make a difference this Dry Eye Awareness Month! #DryEyeAwareness #EyeHealth #PreventBlindness #HealthyEyes #DryEyeTreatment?

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Sources:?

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/building-dry-eye-clinic-101-behind-scenes-look-one-journey-sian/?

https://clarityeyecare.ca/service/dry-eye-therapy/?

https://opticians.ca/site/PressRelease_July12_1?nav=sidebar#:~:text=July%20is%20Dry%20Eye%20Awareness,tear%20film%20in%20the%20eye.?

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