Excessive use of electronic devices can cause dry eyes, a Taipei-based traditional Chinese medicine practitioner said, adding that traditional medicine can supplement Western medicine’s treatment for the disorder.
Feelings of dryness and irritation in the eye might be caused by dry eyes and not be merely fatigue, Tai Yu-hsuan (戴毓萱), an internist of traditional Chinese medicine at Taipei City Hospital’s Kunming Branch, said in a news release on Sept. 22.
If people experience discomfort in their eyes with foreign body sensation, pain, itchiness, heat, redness and hypersensitivity to light, they are advised to make an appointment with their eye doctor, she said.
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According to the traditional Chinese theory of medicine, dry eyes could indicate another ailment affecting the spleen, lungs, liver or kidneys, meaning practitioners might use treatments that improve the patient’s health as a whole, Tsai said.
Long-time users of contact lenses, office workers exposed to excessive air-conditioning and screen time, professional drivers, and people with diabetes, glaucoma or recent lasik surgery are at heightened risks of dry eyes, she said.
People affected by stress could also be vulnerable to the disorder, Tai said.
Patients undergoing a conventional treatment for dry eyes are encouraged to improve their constitution by changing their diet to include more water consumption, fish oils, deep-sea fish, carrots, spinach and broccoli, she said.
These foods are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and anthocyanidins, Tai said.
Taking a 20-second rest for every 20 minutes of screen use, looking at objects about 6m to 7m away, or simply closing eyes and avoiding heavily seasoned or deep-fried food could help with the condition, she said.
Keeping the workplace moisturized and not exposing ones eyes directly to air-conditioners and fans would also help reduce the risks of developing dry eyes, Tai said, adding that unnecessary use of contact lenses should be avoided.
Massage therapy or acupuncture targeting the pressure points around the eye can help treat the condition, she added.
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