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1 in every 5 people, dry eye is gradually becoming an "epidemic"?
June 05, 2023 23:25 Beijing Daily Client
June 6th is the 28th National "Eye Care Day". The reporter interviewed a number of ophthalmologists and learned that in recent years, the number of patients visiting the hospital due to dry eye has shown a rapid upward trend. In this era when eyes are "kidnapped" by screens, dry eye seems to be becoming an "epidemic".
Nearly half of outpatients are dry eye patients
In the past two or three years, Han Yuping, chief physician of the Corneal Disease Department of Shanxi Eye Hospital, found that more and more patients came to see dry eye. "In the past, dry eye patients accounted for about 1/4 or 1/5 of our outpatients, but now they account for 1/3 or even half. They used to be mainly middle-aged and elderly patients, but now they range from children to the elderly." Han Yuping said , "No matter in terms of the number of patients or the population, dry eye has become a very common phenomenon."
Deng Shijing, deputy chief physician of Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, also felt the same way. Tongren Hospital opened a dry eye clinic in 2018 to cope with the increasing number of dry eye patients. "In the past few years, the number of patients has been very large, and it has been increasing, and even registration has become more and more difficult." Deng Shijing said.
The reporter learned that the "Expert Consensus on Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Dry Eye" issued by the Corneal Disease Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association in 2013 pointed out that the incidence of dry eye in my country is about 21% to 30%, that is, at least every 5 people will have dry eye. There was 1 case. Although there is no large-scale dry eye epidemiological survey data in my country since then, many industry insiders said that the current incidence of dry eye is undoubtedly higher than that of ten years ago.
Dry eye is a chronic ocular surface disease caused by multiple factors. Under normal circumstances, the surface of our cornea is covered with a layer of tear film. The tear film has a three-layer structure. From the outside to the inside, it is a lipid layer, an aqueous layer and a mucin layer. Together, they ensure the stability of the tear film on the ocular surface. , Moisturizing and protecting the eye surface. When the tear film cannot stay on the ocular surface stably due to various reasons, the cornea and conjunctival cells that lose the protection of the tear film will be damaged, and dry eyes, foreign body sensation, burning sensation, photophobia, Symptoms such as blurred vision, dry eye is formed at this time.
Mild dry eye can be relieved by resting the eyes adequately, using artificial tears, etc., while severe dry eye often brings great pain to patients. A dry eye patient described his feelings like this: "In the eyes of outsiders, this is a minor illness similar to a cold or a fever, and even I didn't pay much attention to it in the early stage. But dry eye will gradually develop and aggravate unconsciously. , Later, I even developed photophobia, tearing, and my eyes hurt when I looked at the computer or mobile phone, which could not be relieved by eye medicine, which seriously affected my normal life."
The picture shows on June 5th, in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, dry eye patients receive treatment at the Shanxi Provincial Eye Hospital. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma XiaoyuanThe picture shows on June 5th, in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, dry eye patients receive treatment at the Shanxi Provincial Eye Hospital. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma Xiaoyuan
Why Dry Eye Is Becoming an Epidemic
The reporter learned that there are many reasons for dry eye, such as air pollution, dry climate and other environmental factors, diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome and other systemic diseases, myopia surgery, cataract surgery, allergies, anxiety and tension, etc., may cause dry eyes. Eye. Among them, the excessive use of electronic products is considered to be an important reason for the rapid increase in the incidence of dry eye in recent years.
"Nowadays computers, mobile phones and other electronic screens are widely used in our work and life. Some young people are under a lot of work pressure, and it is common for them to work overtime and stay up late. Some people are addicted to mobile phones and spend more than 8 hours a day on their mobile phones. All these make our eyes unbearable. Heavy burden." Shen Zhengwei, chief physician of Wuhan Purui Eye Hospital, said that when people stare at the screen, they tend to be highly focused, the number of blinks decreases, the ocular surface is exposed, and tears evaporate too quickly, resulting in dry eyes.
The widespread use of contact lenses is also a major factor in the dry eye epidemic. Deng Shijing pointed out that some young people are used to wearing contact lenses, some girls who love beauty like to wear "color contact lenses", and "OK lenses" worn by children to correct myopia, all belong to contact lenses in medicine, and long-term wear of contact lenses It will affect the exchange and flow of tears, destroy the microenvironment of the ocular surface, cause inflammation, and cause changes in tears to cause dry eye. In addition, contact lens care solutions generally contain preservatives, and long-term use will aggravate dry eyes.
Nowadays, some women like to make up and do cosmetic surgery around the eyes, which also makes it easier to "patronize" dry eyes. Han Yuping said that like girls wearing false eyelashes, eye makeup, and foundation, it is easy to block the opening of the meibomian glands, making the secretion of the meibomian glands more difficult, affecting the tear film and causing dry eyes; while cutting double eyelids and removing eye bags Eye surgery, etc., may affect the closure of the eyelids, bring changes in tear dynamics, and increase the risk of dry eye.
The prevention and treatment of dry eye has to return to daily life
Many experts said that dry eye is divided into different types, and the treatment principle is simply to "make up what is lacking". If there is a lack of water in the tears, artificial tears should be added. Corresponding drugs can be used for mucin deficiency. The function of the meibomian glands is not good. It can be improved through physical therapy such as eyelid margin cleaning, hot compress, and meibomian gland massage.
In the treatment of dry eye, some common misconceptions should be avoided. "Some patients with dry eye symptoms like to buy eye drops and carry them with them. Frequent use can relieve eye dryness in a short period of time, but if they are abused for a long time, it will be counterproductive." Han Yuping pointed out that some eye drops are not symptomatic, and many eye drops Also contains preservatives, which may aggravate dry eyes with long-term use.
Hot compresses have a positive effect on relieving dry eyes, but some people think that the higher the temperature and the longer the duration, the better the effect, and even sleep with eye masks on. Experts remind that too high temperature may cause epidermal damage and aggravate local inflammation. Therefore, the temperature of hot compress should be appropriate, and the hot compress time should not exceed 15 minutes. It is not suitable for acute inflammatory reactions such as obvious redness and swelling of the eyes and increased secretions.
Many dry eye patients are also accompanied by obvious mental anxiety. Deng Shijing said that usually the discomfort symptoms of dry eye patients can be improved by adjusting eye habits and corresponding medical measures. Patients and their families do not need to be too anxious. "The most important thing is to correctly understand dry eye and pay attention to eye use in daily life." Habits, prevention and treatment of dry eye will eventually return to daily life."
Deng Shijing reminded to pay more attention to eye rest, ensure adequate sleep, wear less contact lenses, and go outdoors more. It is especially important to pay attention to blinking when using electronic products. Make sure to blink 10 to 15 times per minute. Try to keep your upper and lower eyelids touching when you blink for the first time.
source: zhttps://news.sina.com.cn/o/2023-06-05/doc-imywhehc2087796.shtml?cre=tianyi&mod=pcpager_society&loc=3&r=0&rfunc=35&tj=cxvertical_pc_pager_spt&tr=174#/
June 05, 2023 23:25 Beijing Daily Client
June 6th is the 28th National "Eye Care Day". The reporter interviewed a number of ophthalmologists and learned that in recent years, the number of patients visiting the hospital due to dry eye has shown a rapid upward trend. In this era when eyes are "kidnapped" by screens, dry eye seems to be becoming an "epidemic".
Nearly half of outpatients are dry eye patients
In the past two or three years, Han Yuping, chief physician of the Corneal Disease Department of Shanxi Eye Hospital, found that more and more patients came to see dry eye. "In the past, dry eye patients accounted for about 1/4 or 1/5 of our outpatients, but now they account for 1/3 or even half. They used to be mainly middle-aged and elderly patients, but now they range from children to the elderly." Han Yuping said , "No matter in terms of the number of patients or the population, dry eye has become a very common phenomenon."
Deng Shijing, deputy chief physician of Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, also felt the same way. Tongren Hospital opened a dry eye clinic in 2018 to cope with the increasing number of dry eye patients. "In the past few years, the number of patients has been very large, and it has been increasing, and even registration has become more and more difficult." Deng Shijing said.
The reporter learned that the "Expert Consensus on Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Dry Eye" issued by the Corneal Disease Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association in 2013 pointed out that the incidence of dry eye in my country is about 21% to 30%, that is, at least every 5 people will have dry eye. There was 1 case. Although there is no large-scale dry eye epidemiological survey data in my country since then, many industry insiders said that the current incidence of dry eye is undoubtedly higher than that of ten years ago.
Dry eye is a chronic ocular surface disease caused by multiple factors. Under normal circumstances, the surface of our cornea is covered with a layer of tear film. The tear film has a three-layer structure. From the outside to the inside, it is a lipid layer, an aqueous layer and a mucin layer. Together, they ensure the stability of the tear film on the ocular surface. , Moisturizing and protecting the eye surface. When the tear film cannot stay on the ocular surface stably due to various reasons, the cornea and conjunctival cells that lose the protection of the tear film will be damaged, and dry eyes, foreign body sensation, burning sensation, photophobia, Symptoms such as blurred vision, dry eye is formed at this time.
Mild dry eye can be relieved by resting the eyes adequately, using artificial tears, etc., while severe dry eye often brings great pain to patients. A dry eye patient described his feelings like this: "In the eyes of outsiders, this is a minor illness similar to a cold or a fever, and even I didn't pay much attention to it in the early stage. But dry eye will gradually develop and aggravate unconsciously. , Later, I even developed photophobia, tearing, and my eyes hurt when I looked at the computer or mobile phone, which could not be relieved by eye medicine, which seriously affected my normal life."
The picture shows on June 5th, in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, dry eye patients receive treatment at the Shanxi Provincial Eye Hospital. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma XiaoyuanThe picture shows on June 5th, in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, dry eye patients receive treatment at the Shanxi Provincial Eye Hospital. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ma Xiaoyuan
Why Dry Eye Is Becoming an Epidemic
The reporter learned that there are many reasons for dry eye, such as air pollution, dry climate and other environmental factors, diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome and other systemic diseases, myopia surgery, cataract surgery, allergies, anxiety and tension, etc., may cause dry eyes. Eye. Among them, the excessive use of electronic products is considered to be an important reason for the rapid increase in the incidence of dry eye in recent years.
"Nowadays computers, mobile phones and other electronic screens are widely used in our work and life. Some young people are under a lot of work pressure, and it is common for them to work overtime and stay up late. Some people are addicted to mobile phones and spend more than 8 hours a day on their mobile phones. All these make our eyes unbearable. Heavy burden." Shen Zhengwei, chief physician of Wuhan Purui Eye Hospital, said that when people stare at the screen, they tend to be highly focused, the number of blinks decreases, the ocular surface is exposed, and tears evaporate too quickly, resulting in dry eyes.
The widespread use of contact lenses is also a major factor in the dry eye epidemic. Deng Shijing pointed out that some young people are used to wearing contact lenses, some girls who love beauty like to wear "color contact lenses", and "OK lenses" worn by children to correct myopia, all belong to contact lenses in medicine, and long-term wear of contact lenses It will affect the exchange and flow of tears, destroy the microenvironment of the ocular surface, cause inflammation, and cause changes in tears to cause dry eye. In addition, contact lens care solutions generally contain preservatives, and long-term use will aggravate dry eyes.
Nowadays, some women like to make up and do cosmetic surgery around the eyes, which also makes it easier to "patronize" dry eyes. Han Yuping said that like girls wearing false eyelashes, eye makeup, and foundation, it is easy to block the opening of the meibomian glands, making the secretion of the meibomian glands more difficult, affecting the tear film and causing dry eyes; while cutting double eyelids and removing eye bags Eye surgery, etc., may affect the closure of the eyelids, bring changes in tear dynamics, and increase the risk of dry eye.
The prevention and treatment of dry eye has to return to daily life
Many experts said that dry eye is divided into different types, and the treatment principle is simply to "make up what is lacking". If there is a lack of water in the tears, artificial tears should be added. Corresponding drugs can be used for mucin deficiency. The function of the meibomian glands is not good. It can be improved through physical therapy such as eyelid margin cleaning, hot compress, and meibomian gland massage.
In the treatment of dry eye, some common misconceptions should be avoided. "Some patients with dry eye symptoms like to buy eye drops and carry them with them. Frequent use can relieve eye dryness in a short period of time, but if they are abused for a long time, it will be counterproductive." Han Yuping pointed out that some eye drops are not symptomatic, and many eye drops Also contains preservatives, which may aggravate dry eyes with long-term use.
Hot compresses have a positive effect on relieving dry eyes, but some people think that the higher the temperature and the longer the duration, the better the effect, and even sleep with eye masks on. Experts remind that too high temperature may cause epidermal damage and aggravate local inflammation. Therefore, the temperature of hot compress should be appropriate, and the hot compress time should not exceed 15 minutes. It is not suitable for acute inflammatory reactions such as obvious redness and swelling of the eyes and increased secretions.
Many dry eye patients are also accompanied by obvious mental anxiety. Deng Shijing said that usually the discomfort symptoms of dry eye patients can be improved by adjusting eye habits and corresponding medical measures. Patients and their families do not need to be too anxious. "The most important thing is to correctly understand dry eye and pay attention to eye use in daily life." Habits, prevention and treatment of dry eye will eventually return to daily life."
Deng Shijing reminded to pay more attention to eye rest, ensure adequate sleep, wear less contact lenses, and go outdoors more. It is especially important to pay attention to blinking when using electronic products. Make sure to blink 10 to 15 times per minute. Try to keep your upper and lower eyelids touching when you blink for the first time.
source: zhttps://news.sina.com.cn/o/2023-06-05/doc-imywhehc2087796.shtml?cre=tianyi&mod=pcpager_society&loc=3&r=0&rfunc=35&tj=cxvertical_pc_pager_spt&tr=174#/