In the cold and dry winter, the number of dry eye patients admitted to some ophthalmology hospitals has increased by 30% compared to usual, with a significant increase in the number of young people. Long term exposure to electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones has caused more and more young people to suffer from eye fatigue, dryness, and foreign body sensation, making dry eye syndrome a new "eye crisis". Today, Wang Yingli, Director of Ophthalmology and Chief Physician at the Emergency General Hospital, will talk to you about how to deal with this "screen disease". The three main culprits of dry eye syndrome are dry eye syndrome, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, which is an eye discomfort caused by insufficient secretion of tears, rapid evaporation of tears, or abnormal composition of tears. According to relevant statistical data, the incidence rate of dry eye disease is increasing year by year worldwide. Insufficient tear secretion may be caused by factors such as aging, endocrine disorders, autoimmune diseases, etc. These factors can affect the normal function of the lacrimal gland, leading to a decrease in tear secretion. The rapid evaporation of tears is related to factors such as prolonged use of electronic devices, indoor dryness, and improper use of eye cosmetics. Staring at the screen for a long time can reduce the frequency of blinking, leading to rapid evaporation of tears; Indoor dryness and improper use of eye cosmetics can also accelerate the evaporation of tears. Abnormal composition of tears may be caused by eye inflammation, improper use of medication, and other reasons. These factors can alter the composition of tears, making it difficult to effectively moisturize and protect the eyes. According to statistics, there are about 360 million dry eye patients in China, and the incidence trend is becoming increasingly younger, even some preschool children are not spared. Director Wang Yingli introduced that young people with dry eye syndrome mostly work in IT, design, copywriting, and other jobs that require long-term use of electronic devices. The main characteristics of these patients are: dry eyes, fatigue, accompanied by stinging sensation, foreign body sensation, and sometimes symptoms such as blurred vision and photophobia. A survey on young office workers shows that the incidence of dry eye syndrome is as high as 60% among those who use electronic devices for more than 8 hours a day. Young people stare at screens for long periods of time, reducing the frequency of blinking, leading to rapid evaporation of tears. In addition, the dry indoor environment in winter and poor air circulation further exacerbate the occurrence of dry eye syndrome. In addition, young people face high work pressure, fast-paced lifestyles, and lack sufficient rest and exercise, which can easily lead to eye fatigue and dryness, making them a high-risk group for dry eye syndrome. Identifying distress signals from the eyes. Dry eye syndrome not only affects the daily life and work of patients, but may also cause long-term damage to eye health. Dry eye patients often feel eye fatigue, dryness, and in severe cases, they may also experience stinging and foreign body sensations, which can affect reading and writing. In addition, dry eye syndrome may also lead to decreased vision and even cause eye diseases such as keratitis and conjunctivitis. For young people, dry eye syndrome may also affect their mental health, leading to emotional problems such as anxiety and irritability. If dry eye syndrome is not treated promptly and effectively, it may lead to further development of eye diseases. For example, eye diseases such as keratitis and conjunctivitis may cause more serious vision problems and even lead to blindness. Therefore, once abnormal signals such as dry eyes, foreign body sensation, burning sensation, photophobia, blurred vision, and fluctuations in vision appear, they should be immediately taken seriously and sent to the hospital for professional ophthalmic examination as soon as possible. For patients with mild dry eye syndrome, improving lifestyle habits such as reducing prolonged use of electronic devices, paying attention to eye rest, maintaining a moist environment, and using artificial tears and other medications can effectively alleviate symptoms and even achieve a cure. Moderate or severe dry eye syndrome may require more comprehensive treatment measures, including physical therapy, medication, and surgical treatment, for patients with moderate or severe dry eye syndrome. Through standardized treatment and long-term care, there is also a great opportunity to improve the condition and gradually restore the normal state of the eyes. The key to preventing dry eye syndrome is to improve living habits and work environment by collecting this eye care secret. Here are some effective preventive measures: use your eyes reasonably, avoid prolonged and continuous use of electronic devices, rest your eyes at regular intervals, look into the distance, or do eye exercises. This helps alleviate eye fatigue and dryness. When keeping indoors moist and dry in winter, a humidifier can be used to keep the room moist and reduce tear evaporation. Meanwhile, pay attention to maintaining indoor ventilation and avoiding excessively dry air. Pay attention to eye hygiene and avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands. Regularly clean eye cosmetics and dirt. This helps reduce the risk of eye infections and inflammation. Adjust your diet and eat more foods rich in antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, such as carrots, spinach, broccoli, etc. These foods help protect eye health and reduce the occurrence of dry eye syndrome. Increasing outdoor activities appropriately can promote blood circulation and metabolism in the eyes, helping to alleviate eye fatigue and dryness. Meanwhile, outdoor activities can also provide ample rest and relaxation for the eyes. Adjust the screen brightness and color temperature to an appropriate level for electronic devices, and choose a color temperature close to natural light to reduce eye irritation. Regular eye examinations should be conducted even if there are no symptoms of dry eye syndrome, in order to promptly detect and address eye problems. (New Society)