In a new study from the University of Waterloo, researchers discovered that a big 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—an essential protective coating necessary for maintaining healthy ocular function.
Healthy tear film comprises three layers–oil, water, and mucin–that 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.
In the study, the team tested 52 participants who were divided into two groups—athlete and non-athlete—to 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 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, the team found all participants experienced a meaningful boost in tear quantity and tear film stability after the exercise session.
The team says it can be challenging for people to regularly exercise when the demand is there to work increasingly longer hours in front of screens.
The findings suggest physical activity can be really important for not just the overall well-being, but for the ocular health too.
If you care about eye health, please read studies about diet linked to blinding eye diseases in older people, and vitamin B3 that could help treat common blinding eye disease.
For more information about eye disease, please see recent studies about sleep problem linked to blinding eye disease in people with diabetes, and results showing that unhealthy diet may increase risk of this dangerous eye disease.
The study is published in the Experimental Eye Research journal and was conducted by Heinz Otchere et al.
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