Data from the Department of Ophthalmology and Neuropsychiatry at the University of Tokyo (Japan) reveal a correlation between dry eye syndrome and white-collar workerswho are used to spending most of their working hours in front of digital devices, such as computer o smartphone.
Focus dry eye
Dry Eye Disease- (DED). https://www.oculistaitaliano.it/articoli/focus-sul-dry-eye/) is a disorder of the ocular surface characterised by a marked reduction in tear film homeostasis. This alteration leads to countless visual impairments as well as important negative effects on the quality of life of the affected person. In fact, DED is considered a debilitating disease because it can impair visual function with important repercussions in the social, psychological and, not least, physical sphere of the person.
Epidemiological data indicate that approximately 20-30% of the general population suffer from it after the age of 50with a clear prevalence in women, especially around the menopause. The health picture around DED, moreover, seems to be even more critical if one considers that in recent years prolonged and constant exposure to digital devices increases the likelihood of the onset of this chronic condition. The considerable increase in the use of digital devices is also associated with a reduction in physical activity, especially outdoors, compared to earlier times, and this reduction seems to be associated with an increase in the likelihood of the onset of this eye disease.
What does the data say?
Proof that lifestyle intervention can have an effect on dry eye syndrome can be found in data from a study conducted by a team of Japanese researchers and published in Journal of Occupational Health.
Around forty-one employees, both men and women, were, in fact, divided into two groups:
- Participants in the first group were subjected to a lifestyle intervention involving a healthy diet and daily physical activity. In addition, subjects in this group were encouraged to a positive and optimistic attitude;
- The participants in the second group, considered the control group, on the other hand, continued to follow exactly their normal habits.
The results of the research showed that two months after the start of the experiment, symptoms of dry eye syndrome among participants who had changed their lifestyle had decreased significantly compared to the control group.
Therefore, adopting a balanced lifestyle that includes constant physical activity accompanied by a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, better known as omega-3, certainly contributes to an improvement in dry eye symptoms and also reduces the risk of its occurrence, especially in the office worker category.
Source
Kawashima M. et al. Impact of lifestyle intervention on dry eye disease in office workers:a randomised controlled trial. J Occup Health 2018; 60: 281-288.
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
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