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If you may sometimes suffer from tired eyes with a gritty or itching sensation, then you may suffer from ‘dry eye’, a common problem for computer-users.

Good eye hygiene as described below will help prevent dry eye syndrome and the associated condition of blepharitis, which is inflammation (redness and swelling) of the rims of the eyelids.

• Wet a cloth with warm water and hold it against your closed eyes for five to ten minutes. The heat warms up the tiny eyelid glands which release a mucus-like fluid and make it flow more easily. The cleansing action decreases the number of bacteria that break down the oil.

• Massage your eyes by gently rolling your first finger over them in a circular motion – this helps draw the oil out of the glands.

• Gently clean your eyelids using cotton wool and cooled boiled water – a cotton bud can also be used to clean your upper and lower eyelid and remove any crustiness.

• When using a computer try to look away from the screen at regular intervals.

• Use a humidifier and reduce the use of fans in hot, dry environments.

• Consider use of a gentle tear replacement fluid, such as one of the Clinitas products, to provide more moisture and lubrication for the surface of your eye to bring relief, looking for a preservative free solution (such as Clinitas Soothe) would also be beneficial.