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If you ask me what my biggest downfall is, I'd probably have to say coffee. I'm sure many of our American cousins might also have to concur with me on that as well. Cola based products, tea and many other products all have this stimulating drug inside them, and the ability to pour energising liquid fuel inside our bellies to keep us awake is often too difficult to resist, especially on a Monday morning. However, there are numerous health concerns with large intakes of this substance, weight gain and headaches amongst others which are put forward by dieticians hoping to make us carefully monitor how much we drink or eat. A new study has suggested however, that caffeine may have some positive medical side effects in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. I suppose it's just a shame that improved physique hasn't also been credited against it.
Dry eye syndrome is normally quite simply irritating, annoying and uncomfortable as opposed to life threatening, but as such the common complaint still requires treatment for the patients who suffer from the condition. A grainy, sandy feeling to the eyes is particularly well known. However, in some cases it can become vision threatening as the eye condition begins to escalate. The reduction in tears forming in the eye and the subsequent lack of lubrication and moisture causes this itchy irritation to the eyes.
Researchers in Tokyo, Japan have found that the lack of tear production can be significantly increased through a simple increase in the bodies caffeine intake. In simple terms, more coffee, means more tears, means more lubrication to the eyes, a reduction in irritation to the eyes themselves and thus the symptoms of dry eye syndrome fade away. The link comes from the drugs ability to increase bodily secretions such as saliva, and as such tears in the eye.
- 13% of regular caffeine users suffer from dry eye
- 17% of non regular caffeine users suffer from dry eye
- Significantly more caffeine users in the test showed an increase in tear production