It is important to protect our eyes in air-conditioned offices

Why is air conditioning a problem?

An air-conditioned environment damages the natural protection of the eye in several ways. “Air conditioning causes dryness through two main mechanisms: on the one hand, it significantly reduces the humidity of the air, and on the other hand, it creates a continuous air flow,” explains optometrist Mária Boros. “In addition, the problem does not only affect offices. During long flights or train journeys, air conditioning at work or driving, cold, dry air flows everywhere, which dries out the eyes. In summer, we cannot avoid such places. Our vision is very strained, so it is advisable to moisturize our eyes regularly,” adds Mária Boros.

The reduced humidity causes the tear film to evaporate from the surface of the eye more quickly, while the direct airflow further enhances this effect. According to research, the incidence of dry eye complaints among people working in air-conditioned environments increased by 48% over 2–4 years. Symptoms of dry eyes can include itching and burning, a feeling of sand or a foreign body in the eye, redness of the eyes, increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and – paradoxically – excessive tearing. A study by the University of Tokyo in Japan found that spending 3+ hours a day in an air-conditioned office increases the risk of developing dry eyes by 2.7 times. The problem becomes especially serious when the use of digital devices is taken into account, as the frequency of blinking is significantly reduced during monitor use, which further deteriorates the quality of the tear film.