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Of course, it feels uncomfortable when the eyes become dry so it feels itchy and annoying. Various things can be triggers, including some habits that can unknowingly be the cause of dry eyes. For example, exposure to air conditioning to smoking.
By knowing what habits contribute to dry eyes, you can slowly change your lifestyle to a healthier one. Not only good for the eyes, who knows it also has a positive impact on body health.
Habits that cause dry eyes
It could be, some habits that cause dry eyes occur without realizing it. So what are some things that might go unnoticed?
1. Exposure to a fan or air conditioner
Exposure to wind from both fans and air conditioners can cause dry eyes. Therefore, if you have to move in a room that is exposed to air conditioning or fans, you should avoid direct wind direction to your face. To reduce the risk of irritation, you should not turn on the air conditioner or fan all night at bedtime.
2. Drying hair
If you don't have to, it's a good idea to let your hair dry naturally after shampooing. Because, using a hairdryer not only dries the hair but also the eyes. The dry and warm air from the hairdryer makes the eye's natural moisture evaporate. As a result, dry eye conditions are getting worse.
If forced to use it, limit the duration of using a hairdryer. For example, only dry the roots and let the rest of your hair dry naturally.
3. Smoking
If there are bad habits that cause dry eyes, smoking certainly deserves to be at the top of the list. Not just dry eyes even, but also chronic dry eyes. Unlike the usual complaints, chronic dry eye means this condition lasts long enough.
Cigarette smoke can be an irritant to the eyes by damaging their protective coating. Not only that, but smoking is also bad in the long term ranging from the risk of cataracts to macular degeneration.
Not only active smokers, passive smokers,s and also exposed to thirdhand smoke residues can also be exposed to the dangers.
4. Temperature extremes
Exposure to extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can also have a significant impact on the eyes. According to a 2016 study trusted Source, as many as 42% of people with dry eyes acknowledged heat as a trigger. In addition, 60% believe the trigger factor is sunlight.
Not only that, 34% of patients admitted that very cold air can cause dry eyes. Because cold temperatures can thicken meibum, the outermost oily layer of tears. As a result, it is difficult to spread it all over the eye.
So, to avoid the causes of dry eyes, it is better to be in a temperature-controlled environment. If necessary, use a humidifier to add humidity to the air and reduce the impact of an overly dry atmosphere.
5. Drive with the windows open
Even though it feels fresh, without realizing it, the habit of driving while opening the window can cause dry eyes. Not only that, the risk of eye contact with dirt or dust is also unavoidable. Therefore, if you want to drive while opening the window, you should wear sunglasses.
6. Staring at the computer screen
Not only knowing the right sitting position, but it's also important to make sure your eyes don't dry out when you have to stare at a computer screen for hours on end. Because naturally, humans will blink less often when staring at a computer.
In the Clinical and Experimental Optometry study in 2019, for example. A screen can reduce the frequency of a person blinking by 50-60%, it can even be worse. As a result, the eyes can become even drier.
Furthermore, light from a computer or laptop screen can also have an impact on vision. The eyes have to work harder to see so they can feel dry and tired.
Therefore, you should remember to keep blinking often when you have to stare at the computer screen. Apply the 20-20-20 rule, which is once every 20 minutes to look at an object 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds. This method can make the eyes not too tired.