Water and hydration: can a lack of water cause dry eye syndrome in programmers?

Dry eye syndrome has become a true occupational hazard for people whose work involves continuous computer use. Programmers, QA engineers, and designers blink about two to three times less often during deep concentration, which leads to the rapid evaporation of the protective tear film. However, few people consider that a banal lack of clean water in the body can be the cause of this problem.

Tear fluid consists of ninety-nine percent water. When a person drinks insufficient fluids during the day, the body triggers a resource-allocation defense mechanism. It begins to conserve moisture, directing it to vital internal organs while tear production decreases. As a result, the eyes lose their natural lubrication, leading to a burning sensation, redness, a feeling of grittiness, and blurred vision when trying to focus on text.

Solving this problem with moisturizing drops alone is far from always successful, as they only work superficially. A comprehensive approach starting from the inside is necessary. Maintaining an optimal level of hydration ensures the stable operation of the tear glands and keeps the chemical composition of tears normal.

To maintain eye health during intensive work in front of a monitor, it is helpful to follow this algorithm: