Dry Eyes? Blink!
@nanette64 (20364)
Fairfield, Texas
March 17, 2018 11:51am CST
It use to be just older people had what is called Dry Eye Syndrome but today, it is becoming more of a problem for the younger generation and is gaining epidemic proportions. Why? Computers, Ipads, cell phones, etc. Screen time is causing irreversible damage.
With the concentration of 'staring' at the screens for long periods of time, the eyelids are not blinking which is causing the dryness. Sure, eye drops do help but if you're not using the natural tears in the eyelid to 'wash' the eyes, you can cause permanent damage.
They say for every 20 minutes you are staring at a screen, you should look away and blink for roughly 20 seconds to help restore the natural liquid to the eyeball.
And if you've got kids at home, pull them away for awhile from those dang gadgets.
https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye
46 people like this
44 responses
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Mar 18
Be careful on the floaters too @Kandae11 . Fish oil believe it not helps with those. When I first saw the doctor about those, that's what he recommended. Also can be a sign of early cataracts.
4 people like this
@rebelann (111249)
• El Paso, Texas
17 Mar 18
Yes, this is wonderful advise.
I'm lucky, I learned a couple decades ago that I'd have to do the whole blinking thing or else just walk away from the puter. Lucky for me my boss was in tune with this dry eye remedy and encouraged all of us to do just what you've posted here.
5 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Mar 18
You had one smart boss @rebelann .
4 people like this
@rebelann (111249)
• El Paso, Texas
17 Mar 18
It took a while to convince him that our monitors were causing problems @nanette64
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
@rebelann Just like when my sister worked for Aetna and she kept telling them that she could constantly hear buzzing in the headsets. They didn't believe her. She wound up having ear surgery.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
18 Mar 18
Yeah, Nanette, I learned this a long time ago, right after Pretty and I bought our first computer.
Thank you, for the timely reminder! 
Thank you, too, @rebelann, for thinking of me when you suggested this discussion to your friends... and those you love to torture! 
Thank you, too, @rebelann, for thinking of me when you suggested this discussion to your friends... and those you love to torture! 3 people like this
I beautify @DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
19 Mar 18
@rebelann 
Uhm... only if you call ripping tape off some 
poor, sweet person beautifying them!
BTW, I tried to call you at about 6 pm, but somebody was tying up your phone line
...
Uhm... only if you call ripping tape off some poor, sweet person beautifying them!
BTW, I tried to call you at about 6 pm, but somebody was tying up your phone line...3 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
You are welcome @DaddyEvil . I love to help when I can.
2 people like this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
17 Mar 18
I get away from my computer to go exercise or stretch, I keep my eyes closed a lot in that time.
I find staying hydrated helps too. A lot of people forget to drink when at the computer.
3 people like this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
18 Mar 18
@nanette64 Yes, coffee and soda are not good hyrdrators. It can actually do the opposite, really. XD
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
@OneOfMany Yeah, I know; I'm a bad girl.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Mar 18
That is true @OneOfMany . That's why I always have my coffee at hand; although coffee isn't much of a hydrator.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Mar 18
It sure doesn't take long for things to change that's for sure @Courage7 .
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
29 Mar 18
Yup, but you'd be surprised how many people don't do that @inertia4 .
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
29 Mar 18
@rebelann That's good that the doc did that. I think more bosses should be aware of the problem.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Mar 18
It's easy to forget doing things like that @mydanods .
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458972)
• Switzerland
17 Mar 18
It is correct, you should look at a more distant target every 20 minutes, it's a sort of exercise for the optic nerve. We are going to have a new generation with plenty of health problems. Brain damages due to the radiations and eyes problems, not to mention the polluted air. I am so glad I am no more young.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458972)
• Switzerland
18 Mar 18
@nanette64 Not to mention that many will lose their haring when still young, because they listen to loud music all the time wearing headphones.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Mar 18
Yeah, it's amazing how the younger ones are affected so much by so many things @LadyDuck that were thought happened just to old people.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
@LadyDuck Oh exactly and that has already been proven.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Mar 18
At our age @jaboUK , we've got enough problems without our eyes screwing up.
2 people like this
@gr8nana6 (6614)
• Conyers, Georgia
22 Mar 18
That is some great advice, I did start getting the dry eyes after I had my cataract surgery. I will do what you suggested and maybe I don't have to use my eyedrops as much. Thanks @rebelann1949 for the suggestion!!
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
22 Mar 18
You are welcome @gr8nana6 . Simple solutions are sometimes the better ones.
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
Exactly @DianneN . A lot of people don't realize just how much strain they put on the eyes.
3 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
Absolutely @Hannihar . I would rather go deaf than to have problems with the eyes. I have cataracts that I would like removed but the insurance company doesn't think I'm 'blind' enough yet.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Mar 18
Maybe taking the breaks you won't have to use the med as much @WriterAl .
2 people like this
@WriterAI (5373)
• Bulgaria
18 Mar 18
@nanette64 I try to take breaks but I am not able to do it constantly. Anyway, thanks for your piece of advice.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
Yeah, meds play a big role in causing other side affects @shaggin .
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
18 Mar 18
Most people don't know about this, but I have known this for 8 yeas now.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
It can definitely make a difference that's for sure @toniganzon .
1 person likes this
@Carmelanirel2 (8084)
• United States
18 Mar 18
I knew this and I do look away as much as I can. Thnaks for the info, now I know how long to look away before continuing.
2 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
20 Mar 18
You are welcome @Carmelanirel2 .
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
18 Mar 18
And for the people who work jobs that require staring at screens for hours at a time, it can sure make a difference @JudyEv .
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
17 Mar 18
Even just getting up to do a quick chore or look out the windows at birds or seeing what the weather is doing, or getting a glass of water or tea; anything to break up the time @Icydoll .
1 person likes this
