If you use a computer all day, you should not be using your grandmother's lubrication!
Double protection anti-evaporation products like Thea Thealoz Duo eye drops are much better targeted for computer related dry eye
Grandmas have lots of sage advice. However when it comes to eye drops for computer dry eye, what works best for her ... probably is not going to work for you.
When we use a computer, tablet or smart phone for an extended period, many of us experience digital eye strain. There are several reasons why this occurs including:
- digital dry eye*
- posture & ergonomics
- long periods of sustained focus
- back-lit screens
- improper prescription glasses or contact lenses
- eye muscle / alignment issues
* Although there are many reasons for digital eye strain, this blog focuses on digital dry eye. This is the condition that occurs when we blink significantly less at a a screen leading to eye irritation, blurry vision and fatigue. This blog entry focuses on the evaporation problem that occurs with less blinking... Digital Dry EYE. You can learn more about the other reasons for digital dry eye here.
The most common mis-targeting of drops that I see in clinic...
Different over-the-counter rewetting eye drops work on different targets and if you are aiming at the wrong thing... your drops will not work well. They will fail to work at all or you will have to use them over-and-over to achieve relief.
Drops which truly target evaporation are few and far between.
If you use a computer all day - regardless of your age - highly-branded, heavily-marketed, lubrication-centric formulations are typically the wrong choice.
Most advertisements for eye drops seem to feature young individuals blissfully instilling drops in white-bleached eyes. This is not reality and the #1 consumers of eye drops are over 50 females. Because that is the biggest market, most drop formulations are designed to target the dryness issues of that demographic. Products like Thea Thealoz Duo eye drops are very different... they target evaporation of health tears.
A computer user needs eye drops for both evaporation protection + moisture
Directionally, a heavy computer user of any age needs:
1] evaporation protection eye drop due to the long hours staring at a screen
2] added moisture
Anti-evaporation eye drops are better and are designed to target issues the evaporation issues that fuel digital dry eye.
Three examples of anti-evaporation products that we successfully use in clinic every day are
Thea Thealoz DUO Eye Drops , I-Drop MGD Eye Drops and LAB TriActiv
I would encourage you to try these drops if you have dry eye symptoms that are worsened by screen use e.g. office, extended phone and/or tablet use
If you suffer from dry eyes and irritation, the first step is to figure out the why. Your eye care professional will use tests, observation and history to establish if your symptoms are related to things such as: medications, allergies, genetic causes, environment, visual demands, age, infection or lid issues. Once cause(s) is established, treatments are targeted to solve the issue. You can go though something like a product guidance questionnaire for basic targeting but your Optometrist will be the expert for answers.
What is the Trehalose anti-drying ingredient in Thealoz DUO and LAB TriActiv?
Trehalose is a safe naturally derived sugar that is used in many industries for its anti-evaporation properties:
1. Food Industry
- Used as a sweetener and stabilizer
- Improves texture and shelf life in baked goods, frozen foods, and dried products
- Helps retain moisture and flavor
2. Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
- Protects proteins and cells during freeze-drying (lyophilization)
- Used in some vaccine formulations and biologic drugs
3. Cosmetics and Skincare
- Acts as a moisturizing agent and antioxidant
4. Medical and Eye Care
- Used in eye drops to treat dry eye and oxidative stress on the ocular surface (often combined with hyaluronic acid)
- Sometimes found in wound care products
5. Research and Lab Use
- Preserves the structure of proteins and enzymes during storage and analysis
RELATED TOPICS: The Basics of Dry Eye, How to read an Omega 3 Label, Eye Lid Care / Blepharitis, What is the most potent Omega 3 we have found
https://www.meyespa.com/pages/contact-us
Away from corporate influences and their churn, I believe in time and an unhurried environment. At mEYEspa and my clinic, we are UNcorporate Optometry. I have special interest in occupational vision needs, concussive injury to the visual system and dry eye management. I am the owner of mEYEspa and a dedicated to the delivery of relevant information and clinic-tested eye care products. -Doctor of Optometry - University of Waterloo 1994 -Honors Bachelor of Science – Waterloo 1994 -Registered Ontario College of Optometrists -Member of Ontario Association of Optometrists -Member of Canadian Association of Optometrists -10 year straight winner of 3 Best Rated Optometrists London ON
