By Alyson Pickryl, Student Pharmacist and Karen Kier, Pharmacist 
On behalf of the ONU HealthWise team

In 1972, singer-songwriter Jackson Browne released "Doctor, My Eyes," which reached number 8 in the United States and number 4 in Canada.  Jackson Browne started with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band early in his career and left the group shortly after. He continues to entertain and is known for his political activism. Browne was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common eye condition that is complex and is responsible for the majority of visits to eye specialists.  Approximately 20-30 million Americans suffer from DED. 

This chronic disease has typically been treated with artificial tears to relieve the ocular surface by providing lubrication. Artificial tears provide temporary relief and are considered an essential part of therapy, but they do not address underlying causes or modify the disease process. 

In December of 2002, cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion was FDA-approved to manage DED as the first disease-modifying therapy. Since then, the FDA has approved an additional seven prescription medications for managing patients with DED. Some of these drugs have different mechanisms of action and provide alternatives for patients who may not respond to an initial therapy. 

Some common risk factors for DED include age over 50 years due to diminishing tear production and quality.  Females are more likely to suffer from DED primarily due to hormonal fluctuations, which can result from pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, perimenopause, and menopause.  Prolonged screen time reduces active blinking that reduces tear production. Other lifestyle risk factors can include sleep deprivation, poor blink habits, and contact lens use. Environmental factors can include air conditioning, low humidity, wind exposure, smoke, air pollution, allergies, and high altitudes. Underlying autoimmune diseases and certain medications can be contributing factors. 

There are 3 types of DED, including evaporative dry eye and aqueous-deficient dry eye. Some patients may experience a mixed version, which includes both. The most common form of DED is evaporative dry eye, with about 82-85% of patients presenting with this type. It is not uncommon for patients to present with the mixed form of DED. Evaporative dry eye is usually caused by a dysfunction in the meibomian glands resulting in a disruption of the lipid layer. The meibomian glands could be clogged or poorly functioning. 

Besides artificial tears and prescription medications, blinking exercises are another option, especially for those using computers and electronic devices. 

Blinking is an unconscious movement we perform every day. The importance of blinking is to keep the eyes moist, clean, and healthy by spreading a fresh layer of tears across the cornea, which is the outermost layer of the eye.

Blinking exercises can quickly improve dry eye symptoms by reducing incomplete blinks, stabilizing the tear film (which maintains moisture, supports clear vision, and protects the eye), and increasing palpebral fissure height (the vertical distance between the eyelids). In 2025, a study examined 28 males and 72 females aged 18 to 60 to assess whether blinking exercises improved eye dryness.

The 20-20-20 rule is another method that can be useful when trying to prevent eye strain caused by screen use. The rule indicates for every 20 minutes you spend looking at a screen, you should take a 20-second break to look at an object at least 20 feet away. Usually, we blink around 15 times per minute, which is cut in half when we are looking at screens. This rule helps relax the eye muscle and increases blinking to re-lubricate the eye. If you are in a small space without a 20-foot reach, then close your eyes tightly for 20-30 seconds. Another trick is to be conscious of blinking;, studies have shown a benefit with routine blinking exercises.

Individuals can implement the blinking exercises into their daily routines by taking five short breaks throughout the day. You want to incorporate these exercises by performing them five times a day for three days. You will do five sets per session. There are four steps to complete the blinking exercise: Step 1: Instill a drop of artificial tears into each eye, Step 2: Blink twice, Step 3: Squeeze eyes closed tightly, Step 4: Open eyes halfway and grab the outside of your eyes and pull outward. View Dr. Reiko Arita’s Dry Eye Clinic exercise here. 

Contact your physician if you notice redness, burning or dryness around the eyes. Additional symptoms may include light sensitivity, a gritty sensation in the eye, blurred vision, or irritation while wearing contacts. Environmental factors such as cold, wind, or dry air can exacerbate these issues. For at-home relief of dry eye, you may use a humidifier, apply warm compresses, increase your daily fluid intake or use lubricating artificial tears.

Check with your eye specialist. Doctor, check my eyes!