Eye Dryness on Increase
The number of people suffering from dry eyes has doubled in the past six years, possibly due to workers staying indoors without adequate ventilation systems.
According to research by the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC), the number of people treated for lachrymal gland disorders marked 1.5 million in 2008, compared to 744,000 in 2002. The corporation had to spend 77 billion won in 2008 for coverage.
Dry eyes is a condition in which a person’s eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly.
This can lead to eyes drying out and becoming inflamed. In serious cases it can cause visual impairment or scarring of the eye’s surface.
More women suffer from the disease― their number is double that of men. The NHIC assumed that changes in hormone levels after menopause can affect the secretion of tears.
There are various other causes for the condition ― a disorder in the immune system, genetic factors, or injuries among others.
However, the state-run organization said working in offices with heating or cooling systems operating all day long can explain the growing number of patients, many of whom are younger than the conventional patients in their 60s.
“Many people visit their optician in August and January, when many workplaces and houses keep the windows shut because they have air conditioning or heating on. We also think many workers looking at computer screens all day long causes great fatigue and various disorders to the eyes,” the corporation said in a press release.
Dr. Jang Jae-woo of Kim Optical Clinic advised people to use “artificial tears” to soften up the eye’s surface. He also advised people not to rub the eyes and to wear safety glasses when it feels like the wind is hurting the eyes.
“With yellow dust expected to get into the eyes, people should pay extra attention to eye health,” he said.
According to research by the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC), the number of people treated for lachrymal gland disorders marked 1.5 million in 2008, compared to 744,000 in 2002. The corporation had to spend 77 billion won in 2008 for coverage.
Dry eyes is a condition in which a person’s eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly.
This can lead to eyes drying out and becoming inflamed. In serious cases it can cause visual impairment or scarring of the eye’s surface.
More women suffer from the disease― their number is double that of men. The NHIC assumed that changes in hormone levels after menopause can affect the secretion of tears.
There are various other causes for the condition ― a disorder in the immune system, genetic factors, or injuries among others.
However, the state-run organization said working in offices with heating or cooling systems operating all day long can explain the growing number of patients, many of whom are younger than the conventional patients in their 60s.
“Many people visit their optician in August and January, when many workplaces and houses keep the windows shut because they have air conditioning or heating on. We also think many workers looking at computer screens all day long causes great fatigue and various disorders to the eyes,” the corporation said in a press release.
Dr. Jang Jae-woo of Kim Optical Clinic advised people to use “artificial tears” to soften up the eye’s surface. He also advised people not to rub the eyes and to wear safety glasses when it feels like the wind is hurting the eyes.
“With yellow dust expected to get into the eyes, people should pay extra attention to eye health,” he said.