Dry eye is a common condition that occurs when the tears of the eyes cannot provide sufficient moisture, causing inflammation and fibrosis on the eye surface. According to eye surgery specialists, dry eye leads to discomfort due to feelings of heat and pain, and doctors usually recommend eye drops for lubrication.

The Ministry of Health warned against exposure to wind, dust, dry air, or smoke, and against sitting for long hours in front of screens without blinking. It pointed out that causes include undergoing laser eye surgery (LASIK) and aging over 65. The ministry said women are more susceptible due to hormonal changes (menopause) and that some diseases like diabetes, thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain medications such as decongestants, blood pressure drugs, and antidepressants can cause dry eye.

The Ministry of Health stated that this disease is common and often chronic, warning against using hair dryers as much as possible, avoiding warm rooms, protecting the eyes from wind by wearing special glasses, using ointments or eye drops right before sleep, and consulting a specialist doctor.

The World Health Organization estimated the prevalence of this disease at 15% worldwide and up to 50% among contact lens users, with about 300 million people affected globally according to official estimates. Statistics indicate that 10-20% of the US population suffers from dry eye.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology noted that the disease is increasing among both young and elderly people, urging specialists to find the best ways to treat it. Dr. Anat Galor, an expert in dry eye treatment with a Master of Public Health from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, emphasized the need for more efforts to combat dry eye.

Wash Your Eyelashes!

Optometrist Mohamed Al-Harbi, who focuses on education and eye health awareness, pointed out a recent study showing that three out of ten people in Saudi Arabia suffer from dry eye. Previous studies confirmed that the prevalence of dry eye in Saudi Arabia may reach 75%, due to hot and dry weather, frequent exposure to irritants, air conditioning, and other factors. Many complaints at eye clinics are due to dryness, which affects productivity. Therefore, it is essential to clean and wash the eyelashes and eyelids, use warm compresses daily, and apply moisturizing eye drops.

Optometrist Dr. Hamdi Johar told Okaz that dry eye symptoms include burning, pain, feeling a foreign body like sand in the eye, redness, blurry vision, and light sensitivity. The eye may produce excessive tears as a reaction to irritation, but this amount cannot provide adequate moisture. The tear film consists of three layers: the outer oily layer, the middle watery layer, and the inner mucous layer, each with a role in maintaining eye moisture.

Crying Has No Relation to Dryness

Dr. Johar said the solution to dry eye starts with wearing sunglasses when exposed to sunlight, avoiding prolonged screen time without breaks, not smoking, sleeping early, using moisturizing drops that mimic natural tears, and inserting plugs in the tear ducts to stimulate tear glands to produce more tears through special devices. He denied any relation between excessive crying and dry eye, stating that crying actually helps moisturize and clean the eye and protects it from impurities. The only effect of excessive crying is temporary eye redness.

He added that the same applies to sadness; the common factor is the psychological impact of sadness on the person, which can cause dry eyes.

3 out of 10

Ophthalmologist Dr. Jaber Abdul Razzaq referred to a recent study showing that three out of ten people in Saudi Arabia suffer from dry eye due to insufficient moisture. He told Okaz that the cause is insufficient tears and their instability on the eye surface, leading to dry eye symptoms upon waking and exposure to wind and dry heat, causing sudden evaporation of the tear film. Tear glands fail to produce enough tears due to functional defects, causing symptoms like burning, roughness, sticky discharge sometimes, light sensitivity, and redness. Symptoms may include difficulty seeing when wearing contact lenses and driving at night due to eye blurriness.

Dr. Jaber warned against not consulting a doctor when feeling any dryness, especially for the elderly with chronic diseases, those who have undergone laser eye surgery, pregnant women, and young people with acne. These factors require visiting an ophthalmologist to determine treatment, as many cases are chronic and treatment varies according to severity and causes. Mild cases may take days to weeks to heal with moisturizing drops and lifestyle changes, but chronic or disease-associated cases require continuous treatment to control symptoms. Follow-up helps evaluate improvement and adjust treatment as needed.

When Does Blinking Rate Decrease?

Dr. Youssef Saleh Ghous, supervisor of the optometry department at King Abdulaziz Hospital in Jeddah, explained that dry eye occurs when the eye does not produce enough tears or when tear components are unbalanced, causing discomfort, burning, or a foreign body sensation. Natural tears consist of three main layers working in harmony to protect and moisturize the eye: the oily (outer) layer prevents rapid evaporation, the watery (middle) layer nourishes and keeps the eye moist, and the mucous (inner) layer distributes tears evenly over the cornea. Any imbalance in these layers can cause dry eye. He added that dry eye is not limited to adults but can affect children, especially with increased use of electronic devices like smartphones and tablets. Blinking rate decreases when focusing on screens, leading to noticeable dryness even in children.

Recent studies indicate that excessive use of smart devices in children may double eye problems, mainly reduced blinking and eye muscle strain. Specialists recommend setting usage times and encouraging regular breaks.

Dr. Youssef advises adults to avoid direct exposure to air conditioners or dry air, apply the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) when using screens, maintain hydration by drinking enough water, avoid wearing contact lenses for long periods as they increase dry eye risk, never sleep with lenses on, use moisturizing drops designed for lens users, and not exceed recommended usage duration by doctors or manufacturers.