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Swimmer's and Surfer's Dry Eye and Pterygium

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Press release - March 5, 2012

New Education about Swimmer's and Surfer's Dry Eye and Pterygium

Radio Host Sharon Kleyne Talks about Swimmer's Dry Eye, Surfer's Dry Eye, Dry Eye Prevention and Tear Film Hydration

Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water may be heard on World Talk Radio, Voice America, Green Talk Network and Apple iTunes

Sharon Kleyne, host of the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water, has been researching dry eye and eye hydration for two decades. As mother of two competitive swimmers, Mrs. Kleyne is aware of the frequent eye irritation experienced swimmers and surfers, which she calls "swimmers dry eye" and "surfers dry eye." A condition called pterygium, or "surfer's eye," according to Mrs. Kleyne, has a cause similar to surfer's dry eye.

Swimmer's and Surfer's Dry Eye and Pterygium

Although frequently ignored, swimmers and surfers dry eye are common and can become serious. Sharon Kleyne believes that all swimmers and surfers should educate themselves about these conditions and their causes and symptoms, and take common sense measures to protect their eyes.

Swimmer's dry eye and surfer's dry eye, according to Mrs. Kleyhne, are caused by changes in the microscopically thin tear film that covers and protects the exposed portions of the eye. The tear film is 99% water, Mrs. Kleyne explains. Dry eye symptoms can occur when environmental conditions increase the evaporation rate of the tear film's water content. Diminished tear film water creates an over-concentration of salt resulting in temporary physical discomfort and blurred vision. Frequent tear film water loss can lead to a self-perpetuating syndrome of chronic severe dry eye (Mathers, WD, MD, Tear Film and Treatment of Dry Eye Disease, RxSchool, 2005). .

Sharon Kleyne has discovered that the chlorine and saline used to treat pool water, and the salt in ocean water, are environmental factors that can affect tear film water content in the eyes of swimmers. In addition, says Mrs. Kleyne, ultra-violet (UV) radiation from the sun can not only dehydrates the tear film and cause dry eye symptoms, it can lead to a condition called "surfer' s eye" or "pterygium", in which an unsightly membrane forms over the eyes' exposed surface. Snow skiers are also susceptible to pterygium but are usually more conscientious about eye protection (Kleyne, SF, "Let's Wipe Our Surfer's Eye," Bio-Logic Aqua Research, 2008).

According to Mrs. Kleyne, the most sensible ways to protect against dry eye caused by swimming and surfing are to, (a) wear eye and sun protection, (b) drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day and more on days that you swim, and (c) make sure your tear film is healthy and hydrated immediately before going into the sun or entering the water, and immediately after leaving the water.

Researchers have long known that the simplest and most natural way to soothe dry eyes and restore lost tear film water is to add two-to-five millionths of a liter (micro-liters) of water to the tear film's aqueous layer (Mathers, 2005). A commercially viable method of administering water to the tear film in such minute quantities was discovered in 1999. That's the year that Sharon Kleyne's Bio-Logic Aqua Research Center developed Nature's Tears® EyeMist®, a personal, hand-held eye hydration device that supplements tear film moisture with a soothing, all-natural, all-water, pH balanced (6.49) mist (Mathers, 2005).

The mist is applied in seconds and is 100% safe, with no discomfort, blurred vision, saline solution, allergenic preservatives or tear film flooding.

Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water is sponsored by Bio-Logic Aqua Research, whose Nature's Tears® EyeMist® instantly soothes swimmer's and surfer's dry eye. Nature's Tears® EyeMist® is available at www.BioLogicAqua.com, Amazon.com, drugstore.com and selected drugstores nationwide.

Listen to the Sharon Kleyne Hour Power of Water Mondays, 10 a.m., PST/PDT. The syndicated radio talk show is heard on Voice America/World Talk Radio, Green Talk Network and Apple iTunes. Go to www.SharonKleyneHour.com for written summaries and on-demand replays. Also visit www.naturestears.com, whatistheeye.wordpress.com, "Nature's Tears EyeMist" on Facebook and "Bio-Logic Aqua" on Twitter.

© 2012 Bio-Logic Aqua Research (118)




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