Dry eyes, a common condition, result from insufficient lubrication and moisture to protect the eyeball's surface and nourish the cornea, leading to discomfort. While it can affect all ages, it is particularly prevalent among older adults, individuals working in air-conditioned environments, frequent users of electronic devices, or those who have undergone refractive error or cataract surgery.

Doctor Hoang Quyet Tien, from the Medical Information Center at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, recommends that older adults adopt the following simple habits to mitigate dry eyes and support vision protection.

Blink frequently

Blinking is a natural reflex that stimulates tear production, distributing moisture evenly across the corneal surface. This action lubricates the eyes, enhances clarity, and is the simplest, quickest way to alleviate dry eye symptoms.

While an average person blinks about 20 times per minute, this rate significantly drops when concentrating, particularly during extended use of electronic devices.

Limit prolonged screen time

Blue light from electronic devices like computers, phones, iPads, and tivi carries high energy, penetrating deep into the retina. Extended exposure can damage visual cells, particularly retinal pigment epithelial cells, and disrupt eye accommodation. This often leads to dry and fatigued eyes, contributing to computer vision syndrome and other ocular issues.

Doctor Tien advises adhering to the 20-20-20 rule: after every 20 minutes of screen use, look at an object 20 feet (approximately 6 m) away for at least 20 seconds to allow your eyes to relax.

Healthy retina (left) and damaged retina (right) due to factors like aging and harmful metabolites. Photo: Eco Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.

Drink enough water daily

Water is vital for numerous bodily functions, including regulating lacrimal gland activity. Adequate hydration helps maintain a moist eye surface, reducing dry and burning sensations in older adults. Dehydration can decrease tear production, leading to dry eyes.

Warm compresses and eye massage

Applying warm compresses to the eye area for 5-10 minutes daily, combined with gentle fingertip massage, can relax eye muscles and stimulate lacrimal gland circulation. This boosts tear production and alleviates dry eyes.

Avoid direct wind and air conditioning

When using fans or air conditioners, adjust their direction to avoid direct airflow towards the face. Direct wind can rapidly evaporate the tear film, leading to dry, stinging, or watery eyes.

Dry, irritated, and blurry eyes are common conditions in older adults. Photo created by AI.

Supplement with eye-healthy foods

Maintain a balanced diet rich in essential eye nutrients such as vitamins A, E, C, zinc, omega 3, lutein, zeaxanthin, and thioredoxin. These can be found in meats, eggs, fish, green vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole grains. Natural broccophane extract from broccoli can also enhance the body's synthesis of thioredoxin, which protects and nourishes the retina and lens, improving vision and reducing dry, blurry, and tired eyes.

Use artificial tears when necessary

As people age, lacrimal gland function often diminishes, leading to more frequent dry eyes. Artificial tears can replenish moisture, stabilize the tear film, and alleviate feelings of dryness and irritation.

According to Doctor Tien, the aging process causes a gradual decline in eye structure function. Therefore, middle-aged and older adults should not only maintain these habits but also undergo regular eye examinations for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Dinh Dieu