During an entire day's work at the PC and lengthy time periods of gazing at the monitor, often in an overheated or airconditioned room, predisposed individuals may develop problems with dry eyes - the so called office eye syndrome. The main reason for this is the permanent gaze at the monitor which limits eye movement and decreases the blinking frequency so that the tearing film cannot cover the entire surface of the eye.
 

Most common subjective symptoms of the dry eye syndrome, the so called office eye syndrome and OSD (ocular surface disease):

Burning, tearing and reddening of the eyes, the sensation of a foreign object or sand in the eye, pressure, eye fatigue, uncomfortable light sensitivity, bad tolerance to movement in the wind, a smoky room, in an airconditioned environment, worsened vision in the evening, fluctuating vision during the day and parodoxically sometimes even increased tearing.

Principles of working at the PC:

• positioning of the PC monitor at a window (importance of daylight) with blinds protecting from bright sun beams
• minimalization of light reflections on the screen which are caused for example by a window positioned behind the employee
• correct distance of the eyes from the screen is around 50 - 70 cm, the monitor should be positioned in such a way that the user's view is directed downwards under an angle of around 30 degrees (better position of eyelids and thus increased humidification of the eyes with the tearing liquid)
• regular and frequent short breaks + eye exercises and frequent blinking
• ensuring sufficient air humidity at the workplaces (proper and frequent ventilation, installation of air humidifiers)
• drinking of a sufficient amount of liquids (minimum 2 litres per day)
• restricting consummation of alcoholic beverages, not smoking
• regular checking of visual acquity and regular visits to an eye doctor
• regular use of artificial tears even several times a day

Recommended medication for dry eye treatment:

• artificial tears in the form of drops, best without preservatives, e.g. Unitears (contains panthenol), Ocuflash blue (with anti-inflammatory pot marigold), Refresh, Ocutears, Thealoz duo, Systane ultra or Systane hydration, Optive, Hylocomod
• artificial tears in the form of a gel suitable for night application: Vidisic, Recugel (with panthenol), Oftagel, Systane gel, Hylogel
• artificial tears suitable for contact lens users: Refresh, Ocutears, Optive, Hylocomod, Systane ultra or hydration
• artificial tears suitable for patients with chronic blefaritis: Systane balance, Optive plus, Evotears ... in combination with regular cleaning of eyelids and Blefagel massages, eventually with prior heating of eyelids with Posiforlid eye mask