Dry Eye Syndrome is common among Internet users

Filipinos spend more time on the Internet than people in any of the other 29 countries in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, North America, and Europe profiled in the “Digital in 2017 Global Overview” report. Produced by global advertising agency We Are Social and social media management platform Hootsuite, the report shows that the average Filipino Internet user spends nine hours online each day, with mobile Internet access accounting for more than three and a half of those hours.

“It is a welcome development that more Filipinos now have Internet access. Digital connectivity brings many socio-economic benefits such as improved communication, knowledge dissemination, and economic opportunities, among others. However, spending too much time online also has its drawbacks,” said Cheryl Maley, president & managing director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

The prevalence of Dry Eye Syndrome (DES, also known as dry eye disease or simply dry eyes) is increasing worldwide and is now an important public health problem. One reason for the rapid rise in the number of cases of dry eye disease over the last few years is thought to be prolonged visual display terminal (VDT) exposure because of increased computer use. VDT exposure is also becoming common in the general population because of the widespread use of Internet-based mobile technology and portable information terminals, especially smartphones, among all age groups.

“When we work at a computer or use our smartphone or other portable digital device, we tend to blink our eyes less frequently. This leads to greater tear evaporation and increased risk of DES,” said Dr. Richard L. Nepomuceno, cornea and external eye disease specialist.

Maley and Dr. Nepomuceno spoke during a media briefing held by Novartis Healthcare Philippines to promote awareness on DES and highlight Systane Ultra Lubricating Eyedrops. Developed by the Novartis eye care division Alcon, Systane Ultra Lubricating Eyedrops are clinically proven to deliver extended protection and high-performance dry eye symptom relief that lasts.

To help prevent DES among office workers, call center agents, and other individuals who spend long hours online, experts recommend the “20-20-20 rule”: Look away from the computer/ smartphone/portable digital device screen every 20 minutes, focus on an object 20 feet away, and look at it for at least 20 seconds.

Systane Ultra is available in all leading drugstores nationwide. For more information about Systane Ultra, visit the Novartis Healthcare Philippines official website, novartis.com.ph or Facebook.com/SystanePH; follow @systaneph on Instagram.