Sicca syndrome: causes and symptoms

More and more people are suffering from sicca syndrome. This is usually caused by sitting in front of a PC for hours on end. This is because we forget to blink while staring at the screen. We normally do this 15 to 20 times a minute, but only two to three times when working at a computer. The result: too little tear fluid is produced.
Other causes: Contact lenses, dry air, smoke, exhaust fumes, vitamin A deficiency or inflammation of the sebaceous glands at the edge of the eyelid.

What helps against dry eyes

To help the eye produce tear fluid again, computer screen workers should take a break from time to time and blink deliberately. A humidifier or bowls of water in the room ensure better air humidity. A walk in the fresh air is also good for the eyes. And you should always drink enough.

It is better to avoid draughts and air conditioning, as the air flow dries out the eyes even more. Too little sleep also exacerbates the problem - you should get at least six hours a night.

First aid from the pharmacy

If natural remedies no longer work, a tear substitute such as Cationorm from Santen can help. The over-the-counter tear substitute is considered a good basic therapy for dry eyes. What makes it special: It is the only cationic emulsion that supports all three layers of the tear film. This means that its mode of action is based on an electrostatic attraction between the positively charged particles of the emulsion and the negatively charged surface of the eye. As a result, the eye is well moistened and the emulsion is optimally distributed. The moisture is long-lasting, which in turn alleviates the symptoms well.