PBA focuses on dry eye in April

Chicago-April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month, and Prevent Blindness America (PBA) offers the following tips that you can share with your female patients to help them avoid irritation from dry eye syndrome:

• Use a humidifier to keep natural moisture in the air.

• Avoid hair dryers, harsh winds, overly warm rooms, and cigarette smoke.

• When outdoors, wear goggles or sunglasses that wrap around the eyes.

• Use artificial tears, if directed by your doctor, especially in climates with low humidity, in air-conditioned environments, and in airplanes or cars when the heater or defroster is on.

• When using a computer, remember to blink often and give eyes a rest from staring at the screen.

• Apply a warm washcloth to soothe irritated eyes.

• Do not use harsh soaps or cleansers on or around the eye area.

About 6 million women have moderate to severe symptoms of dry eye syndrome, compared with 3 million men with such symptoms, according to the National Women’s Health Resource Center. For more information on dry eye and other eye diseases and conditions with higher incidence rates in women, contact PBA at 800/331-2020 or visit www.preventblindness.org.