Keeping an eye on dry eye syndrome

A PATIENT of mine who suffered from dry and allergic eyes and eyelids told me recently that she deemed me a role model because of my "sparkly eyes". As an eye doctor of 20 years and counting, it was the first compliment of its kind, amidst the usual polite comments on my youthful appearance or "nice eyes" I received.

As I pondered it, it drove home to me how precious having healthy eyes is. Aside from seeing well, with good quality of vision, eye health also encompasses healthy appearance and eye comfort, which together contribute to a good quality of life.

It is probably no coincidence that some of the common eye complaints I manage are eye irritation and discomfort. In times of hot, dry spells and haze, eye clinics including ours see even more such cases.