Dry eye, allergies and CVS most common eye complaints

November 2, 2009

In a survey conducted by Vision Monday, eye doctors listed the most common eye health complaints of their patients – coming in as the top three were dry eye (35 percent), allergies (32 percent) and computer eye strain (32 percent).

Seasonal changes could be the cause behind many patients’ complaints. Dry eye can be caused by exposure to smoke, wind and dry climates, the American Optometric Association (AOA) reports. LASIK vision surgery and long-term contact use could also cause discomfort.

To keep your vision clear and your eyes comfortable this winter, the AOA recommends using over-the-counter, preservative-free eye drops to treat mild irritation. Schedule an appointment with your eye care professional if the problem persists.

For patients suffering from computer eye strain, a side-effect of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), the AOA suggests blinking frequently while working and taking short, frequent breaks to allow your eyes to refocus.

Wink glasses could be an option for those who spend most of their days staring at a screen. The glasses connect to a computer through a USB device and begin to fog over if users don’t blink every five seconds.