Dry Eye Awareness Month
July is Dry Eye Awareness Month. Dry eye is a condition caused by low tear film production, improper tear film drainage from the eye, and/or poor quality of tear film in the eye. If dry eye is ignored, it can cause damage to a person’s cornea. 
Prevent Blindness declared July as Dry Eye Awareness Month to educate the public on how prevalent and harmful dry eye is. Prevent Blindness will be releasing an episode in the Focus on Eye Health Expert Series that will be focused on dry eye disease: “ Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD)“ presented by April Jasper, OD, FAAO, Advanced Eyecare Specialists. MGD is a condition where the eyelid glands do not produce enough oil or produce oil of low quality. Dr Jasper offers a unique perspective on the issue as she is affected by dry eye, and she is an eyecare provider.
There are risk factors that make someone more likely to be affected by dry eye; some of these are:
- Being over 50 years old
- Hormonal changes
- Wearing contact lenses
- Prolonged exposure to digital screens like phones, laptops, etc
- Medical conditions like diabetes, lupus and other autoimmune diseases
Moreover, taking medication like sleeping pills, antidepressants, allergy and cold medication and heartburn medicines can make people more susceptible to experience dry eye.
Symptoms of dry eye can include itchiness, redness, burning, increased sensitivity to light and many more. Symptoms of dry eye and many other health conditions overlap so it is important to confirm a diagnosis with a doctor.
Read more about the symptoms and risk factors of dry eye here: https://preventblindness.org/eye-and-vision-health-fact-sheets/ 
There are measures many of us can take to prevent the development of dry eye; some recommendations are drinking water, using a humidifier, and taking frequent breaks from digital screens. Doing little things every day to keep your eyes and body healthy goes a long way regarding vision care. Using over-the-counter eyedrops can also help provide moisture to your eyes.
There have been a lot of breakthroughs regarding the development of treatments for dry eye. America’s FDA recently approved MIEBO (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution), known previously as NOV03, as a treatment for dry eye disease. MIEBO is currently the only prescription eye drop that targets tear evaporation in the eyes, as it affects the meibomian glands. This new development is significant as it gives patients with dry eye disease another effective option for treatment.
For this Dry Eye Awareness Month, try to raise awareness on the condition by posting about it on social media platforms and educating yourself more on the issue. Also, you should take the necessary preventative steps regarding your own personal eye health.
https://preventblindness.org/2023-dry-eye-awareness-month/
https://preventblindness.org/understanding-dry-eye/
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230518005700/en/
