Why is blinking so important?

Every time you blink, you restore tear film across the surface of your eye. Light needs to pass through your eye smoothly. If your tear film is broken up, your vision is not clear. Tear film also acts as a barrier, protects your cornea and provides nutrition for the underlying structure.

Why do you experience dry eyes when using the screen for long?

When you’re concentrated on near work, you blink less. The average blink rate is 8-21 blinks per minute. Studies show that individuals blink approximately 60 percent less when using a computer.

This decrease in blink rate may be a result of serious concentration on the task at hand, or a relatively limited range of eye movement.  

When you blink less, your tear film is replenished less frequently and evaporates more quickly, causing ocular discomfort such as blurred vision, dry eyes, light sensitivity, watery eyes or a stinging sensation.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for dry eyes. However, you can still manage its symptoms. Here are 3 tips to avoid dry eyes or relieve your dry eyes:

 Tip 1: Adjusting your environment

Whether you are working in the comfort of your own home or clocking in hours at the office, the lack of moisture in your surrounding environment can cause irritation to the eyes as its surface starts to dry out. Having a humidifier near your workspace would be a great asset as it adds moisture to the air, thus providing better air quality and keeping your eyes hydrated!

Also, while using your computer or electronic gadgets, remember to adjust the brightness of your computer screen to match the light intensity of your surrounding environment to reduce eye strain.  

Tip 2: Applying Eye Drops and Using Eyelid Wipes

Artificial tears, also known as eye drops, help in maintaining eye surface moisture by providing lubrication to the eye.

Did you know that there are two different types of eye drops? 

  1. Preservative-free
    These eye drops come in single-use vials and can only be used within 24 hours of opening it.

SYSTANE® ULTRA UNIT DOSE Lubricant Eye Drops

SYSTANE® ULTRA Lubricant Eye Drops are clinically proven to deliver extended protection and high-performance dry eye symptom relief that lasts. 

  • Designed to provide fast and long-lasting relief with an intelligent delivery system. It provides minimal blurring and immediate comfort.
  • Systane Ultra is contact lens compatible.
  • Preservative free option for sensitive eyes.

2. Regular use

Unlike preservative-free eye drops, regular use eye drops have preservatives added to them in order to extend their shelf life.  

SYSTANE® ULTRA Lubricant Eye Drops

Similar to Systane Ultra Unit Dose, Systane Ultra is designed to provide fast and long lasting relief with intelligent delivery system. It provides minimal blurring and immediate comfort.

  • Systane Ultra is contact lens compatible.
  • Can be kept for 6 months after opening. Making it more cost-effective.

SYSTANE® COMPLETE Lubricant Eye Drops

  • Designed with nanodroplet technology to work on all layers of the tear film. Only product that contain both lipid and aqueous components in the same solution (oil in water solution).
  • Ideal first line recommendation since it works on all dry eye types.
  • For consumers looking for first time eye drop and for consumers who are looking for a better upgrade.
  • Other than applying eye drops, using eyelid wipes also help to relieve dry eyes, as these wipes help to cleanse the eyelids and lashes and support their natural eye lubricating functions.  

SYSTANE® Lid Wipes

  • Hypoallergenic, pre-moistened.
  • Gently removes oily residues and cleanses.
  • For daily lid hygiene and to wipe infectious or oily eye lids.
  • Also removes make-up.

Tip: Bring some eye drops and eyelid wipes with you while on the go. You’ll never know when you need them!

Tip 3: Eye Vitamins

If you wish to rely less on eye drops, eye vitamins are a good and natural replacement to keep your eyes healthy too. 

Lagad Lacrima® 

Protects against sensation of dry eyes. For dry eye sufferers who want to reduce reliance on eye drops. 
Contains vitamins, zinc, borage oil, omega 3 and alpha lipoic acid to improve the nutrition of the cornea and maintain a comfortable tear film.

If you are still experiencing severe visual discomfort after taking steps to adjust your environment and enhance your diet, we suggest you take a comprehensive eye exam to do a thorough check of your eyes and rule out any serious conditions that could potentially lead to blindness.  

See the recommended frequency of eye exams here: