Accra:A medical report released on Thursday highlights several strategies to alleviate dry eyes and irritation caused by heating and air conditioning systems. The report underscores the importance of maintaining air humidity, using lubricating eye drops, and taking regular breaks from electronic screens.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the report published by Asharq Al-Awsat and citing the medical website WebMD, explains that air produced by heating and air conditioning systems accelerates the evaporation of tears from the eye’s surface, which increases the likelihood of dryness and irritation, particularly when directly exposed to airflow.

To address this issue, the report recommends directing air conditioning and heating vents away from the face and eyes, whether at home or in a vehicle, and maintaining indoor humidity levels between 40% and 60%, using a humidifier if necessary.

The report also advises against sitting or sleeping directly beneath ceiling fans running at high speeds, as they can increase moisture loss from the eye’s surface. Continuous exposure to direct air currents should be avoided.

Additionally, the report suggests using preservative-free artificial tears to help replenish moisture and reduce irritation. It also emphasizes the ’20-20-20′ rule every 20 minutes while using a screen, take a break to look at an object about 6 meters (20 feet) away for at least 20 seconds to help restore a natural blinking rate.