A team led by researchers from the University of 蓝莓视频 discovered that a significant increase in tear secretion and tear film stability after participating in aerobic exercise can be another remedy for relieving dry, itchy eyes.
Every time we blink, our eyes are covered in tear film鈥攁n essential protective coating necessary for maintaining healthy ocular function. Healthy tear film comprises three layers鈥搊il, water, and mucin鈥搕hat work together to hydrate the ocular surface and protect against infection-causing irritants like dust or dirt.
When any part of the tear film becomes unstable, the ocular surface can develop dry spots, causing eye symptoms like itchiness or stinging and burning sensations.
鈥淲ith so much of our activity tied to screen usage, dry eye symptoms are becoming increasingly common,鈥� said Heinz Otchere, a PhD candidate in vision science at 蓝莓视频. 鈥淚nstead of having to use eye drops or other alternative treatments, our study aimed to determine if remaining physically active can be an effective preventative measure against dryness.鈥�
Fifty-two participants were divided into two groups鈥攁thlete and non-athlete鈥攖o participate in an exercise session. Participants in the athlete group exercised at least five times per week, while non-athlete participants exercised no more than once per week. Researchers, which included experts from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, performed visual examinations before and five minutes after each exercise session, where tear secretion and tear break-up time were assessed.
While participants in the athlete group showed the largest increase, Otchere says all participants experienced a meaningful boost in tear quantity and tear film stability after the exercise session.
鈥淚t can be challenging for people to regularly exercise when the demand is there to work increasingly longer hours in front of screens,鈥� Otchere said. 鈥淗owever, our findings show physical activity can be really important for not just our overall well-being, but for our ocular health too.鈥�
The study, , was co-authored by Otchere, the University of Cape Coast鈥檚 Samuel Abokyi, Sekyere Nyamaah, and Michael Ntodie, and Ghana鈥檚 Our Lady of Grace Hospital鈥檚 Yaw Osei Akoto. It was recently published in the Experimental Eye Research journal.
