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A new study suggests that people with chronic dry eye can notice that the disease slows them down when they have to read more than two paragraphs.
Researchers found that, compared to people without dry eyes, people with this condition read more slowly when asked to read a 7,200-word text.
The study authors stated that traditional reading tests practiced during eye exams (of about 75 words) could make forget the difficulties caused by dry eye during prolonged reading. .
Dry eye is common, especially after 50 years. Symptoms include burning, redness, itching, or feeling of sand in the eyes; sensitivity to irritants such as wind or cigarette smoke; and excessive tearing, as the eyes sometimes produce excessive tears in response to the drought.
People with dry eyes often have a tendency to complain about reading problems, said researcher Dr. Sezen Karakus.
But these complaints do not always correspond to what we see during eye examinations, which could suggest that the view is in good condition, said Karakus, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University. Johns Hopkins, United States.
Then the researchers decided to explore more in-depth, using a longer reading test developed by one of his classmates, Dr. Pradeep Ramulu. It takes about 30 minutes and basically simulates reading a book, explained Karakus.
The researchers recruited a group of adults over 50 years old. The group included 116 people with "clinically significant" dry eye. This meant that they had certain abnormalities in the cornea (the transparent surface of the eye) and differences in the production of tears.
Thirty-nine other study participants complained of some dry eye symptoms, but did not show any abnormal findings in the eye exam. Finally, 31 people without signs or symptoms of dry eye were used as a control group.
The study found that on average, the three groups had similar reading rates in a standard reading test aloud. But differences appeared when they passed the extended reading test in a low voice. People with dry eye clinics read at a lower rate: 240 words per minute, compared with 272 per minute in the other two groups.
Dr. Angie Wen, an ophthalmologist at the New York Eye Hospital in Mount Sinai, New York City, said the results of this survey reflect what she often sees in her office: patients who see exams well. view that complaining about problems with "visual tasks supported" in everyday life.
Wen noted that the average slowdown of the extended reading test could be an obstacle for people in the "real world".
"You can really make a difference in terms of efficiency in the workplace or enjoy reading at your leisure," he said in remarks collected by journalist Amy Norton in an article published in HealthDay News. This negative difference is appreciated "especially in those with simultaneous eye problems, such as a decrease in contrast intensity due to cataract," added Wen.
Fortunately, there are treatments for dry eye. People who notice symptoms may try over-the-counter lubricating eye drops, he said, but the best thing to do is to go see an ophthalmologist to get an evaluation, Karakus said.
In some cases, warned Karakus, an underlying health problem (such as Sjogren's syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis) could be the cause. In addition, he added, some people might get better results with eye drops or other treatments. For example, doctors sometimes insert tiny "plugs" into the tear ducts to help the person's natural tears stay longer in the eyes.
In this study, people with a clinical dry eye were asked to stop using a prescribed drop for one month. This was done to isolate the effects of dry eye on its reading, explained Karakus.
It could have been better for them if they had used their recipes, he said.
Lifestyle changes can also relieve dry eye, said Karakus. If you get up with dry eyes, it may be wise to use a humidifier in the room. And if he spends a lot of time in front of a computer screen, he recommends taking a break every 20 minutes to flash 20 times.
Wen said that we know that people blink less when they are in front of a computer, when they drive or perform other supported visual activities. Dry eye could become a bigger problem, he noted, given the time people spend in front of their computers and phones.
The study appears in the November 15 online edition of the journal Optometry and Vision Science.
Portal of Montevideo
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