SEOUL, June 20, 2025 – The number of people suffering from dry eye syndrome in South Korea is soaring, with nearly 2.7 million patients in 2023, a 13% increase from the previous year.
Dry eye syndrome is becoming increasingly prevalent, linked to modern lifestyles and environmental factors.
- Dry eye syndrome affects nearly 2.7 million people in South Korea.
- Symptoms include eye irritation, a gritty sensation, and excessive tearing.
- Treatment involves medical intervention, lifestyle adjustments, and eye drops.
Dry eye syndrome, characterized by insufficient tear production or tear film instability, saw a significant rise, affecting approximately 2.69 million individuals in 2023. This eye condition is becoming increasingly common due to factors like increased screen time and environmental irritants.
Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome
Dry eye syndrome damages the eye’s surface due to tear deficiency or an imbalance in tear components, leading to unstable tear evaporation. This can cause significant discomfort.
Common symptoms include eye irritation, a feeling of something in the eye, light sensitivity, itching, and sometimes even excessive tearing. This complex interplay of symptoms requires careful attention.
Addressing and Managing Dry Eye
If you’re experiencing symptoms, it’s important to prevent and manage dry eye due to the risk of conjunctivitis and keratitis. Seeking professional medical advice is recommended.
Effective management includes professional treatments, such as laser therapy and drug procedures, and lifestyle adjustments. Proper hydration and maintaining indoor humidity levels are also essential to prevent worsening symptoms.
Additionally, warm compresses, caring for your eyelashes, and incorporating vitamin-rich foods into your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and fish, can help. Regular use of artificial tears also provides continuous moisture.
New Treatments for Dry Eyes
A step-by-step approach to addressing dry eye is offered by the eye drops brand Ikul, recently introduced by Dong-A Pharmaceutical. These drops are designed to cater to various needs.
The line includes four products: I-O-Cheon number 0.5%, Ikul number 1.0%, Ikul Pro, and Ikul Renew PDRN. These products offer tailored relief.
The main components of two Ikul formulations are carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), included at 0.5% and 1.0% concentrations. This thickens the tear layer, helping to alleviate dryness.
The 0.5% formulation is ideal for first-time users, providing a light feel. The 1.0% formulation has a longer moisturizing effect, with twice the CMC concentration compared to the 0.5% option.
For those managing dryness post-LASIK or LASEK, these eye drops are especially useful.
beyond Eye Drops: Exploring Advanced Dry Eye Treatments
While artificial tears and lubricating eye drops, such as those by Ikul, offer immediate relief, teh escalating prevalence of dry eye syndrome necessitates a deeper dive into complete treatment strategies [[1]]. This condition, affecting millions in south Korea and worldwide, often demands more than just surface-level solutions.
the core goals in managing dry eye syndrome include tear replacement, reducing tear drainage, and preserving existing tears [[1]]. This multifaceted approach helps address the root causes and alleviate both the symptoms and discomfort.
In-Office Procedures and Treatments
For individuals whose dry eye is more severe or resistant to simpler remedies, specific in-office treatments may provide impactful relief.
- Punctal Plugs: These tiny devices, often made of silicone or collagen, are inserted into the tear ducts to reduce tear drainage, keeping the natural tears in contact with the eye longer [[2]]. This helps to maintain eye moisture.
- Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy: IPL therapy is used to treat meibomian gland dysfunction, a common cause of dry eye. By applying light pulses, IPL reduces inflammation and encourages better tear film production.
- Tear Duct Cauterization: A more permanent procedure involving cauterizing the tear ducts to minimize tear drainage.
Prescription Medications
In addition to over-the-counter treatments, several effective prescription medications are available to manage dry eye syndrome. These medications tackle the underlying causes of the issue.
- Cyclosporine (Restasis, Cequa): This medication reduces inflammation on the surface of the eye and helps increase tear production.
- Lifitegrast (Xiidra): This drug also addresses inflammation, thereby reducing the signs and symptoms of dry eye.
- Autologous Serum Eye Drops: These utilize the patient’s own blood serum, wich is rich in growth factors, to promote corneal healing and reduce inflammation.
Lifestyle Modifications and Dietary Adjustments
Beyond medical treatments, incorporating specific lifestyle changes can considerably impact the severity of dry eye symptoms. These adjustments act as a supplement to medical care.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed oil, fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), and walnuts, may improve tear quality.
- Humidifiers: Using a humidifier, especially in the winter months, can add moisture to the air. This, in turn
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