CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness, a nonprofit eye health organization, has announced it is once again declaring July as Dry Eye Month to raise awareness and educate the public and health care professionals about the eye condition. Data from the National Eye Institute shows that nearly 16.4 million Americans have dry eyes, and if severe dry eye is not treated, it can sometimes damage the cornea and negatively impact one's quality of life, the announcement noted. Prevent Blindness has created a variety of free dry eye resources, including a dedicated webpage, fact sheets, social media graphics available in English and Spanish, and videos, including how to apply eye drops.
For the fifth consecutive year, OCuSOFT Inc. a privately held eye and skin care company specializing in eyelid hygiene and ocular health, is partnering with Prevent Blindness in support of Dry Eye Month.
Two featured interviews in the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Expert Series include:
-
“Dry Eye Disease and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): What You Need to Know” with April Jasper, OD, FAAO, of Advanced Eyecare Specialists.
- “Dry Eye” with Prevent Blindness board of directors member Stephanie Jones Marioneaux, MD.
Prevent Blindness added that there are many risk factors for dry eye, including the following:
- Being more than 50 years old.
- Hormonal changes or medicines that affect hormones.
- Refractive surgery (for example, Lasik).
- Inflammation of the eyelids.
- Environmental conditions, such as allergies, exposure to smoke, or a dry climate.
- Contact lenses.
- Poor makeup hygiene.
- Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea, Sjögren syndrome, and certain other autoimmune diseases.
- Decreased blink rate, which can be caused by frequent computer or device use or occurs in certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s.
- Eyelid conditions that cause eyelids to not close completely.
- Extended screen time on digital devices such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Prevent Blindness also cited Mayo Clinic research, which showed certain medicines may cause decreased tear production, including antihistamines, decongestants, hormone replacement therapy, antidepressants, medicines for high blood pressure, acne, birth control and Parkinson’s disease.
Women are twice as likely to develop dry eye than men, and women who are pregnant or experiencing menopause are also more likely to have dry eye, the announcement said.
“A number of treatment options are available for dry eye that can help address symptoms and save sight,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “We invite everyone to check out our free dry eye resources and make an appointment with an eye doctor to find out what type of treatment is best for them.”
For more information on dry eye, visit the Prevent Blindness resource page. Prevent Blindness also offers a free listing of vision care financial assistance services available in English and Spanish.
0 Kommentare