Dry Eye Research

Eye Opening Discoveries

New Hydrotherapy Discoveries

"These new hydrotherapy discoveries, for the first time, enable individuals to take control over dry eyes through a simple and safe daily (or even hourly) moisture supplementation regimen."

It's called "dry eye," "dry irritated eyes," "ocular dehydration," "eye strain," "eye fatigue" or even "jet lag," and it is experienced by nearly everyone. Within the next 20 years, dry eye problems, and dehydration related eye diseases could become a global health crisis. Recent research indicates that the immediate cause of dry eye is moisture loss in the eyes' tear film. Numerous wider causes include lifestyle choices, environmental degradation, forced air heating and cooling systems, and global drying.

Dehydration and re-hydration.

In recent decades, dehydration related health issues, such as dry eye, dry skin, dry mouth, computer eye irritation, contact lens dryness, allergies, increased viral and sunburn sensitivity, adult acne, dermatitis, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, and cancers of the skin and eyes, have increased dramatically. Bio-Logic Aqua Research attributes this to multiple causes:

• "Global drying," resulting in a decrease in unpolluted and health promoting humidity in the air. Global drying is caused by rapid population growth, air and water pollution, loss of fresh water as land is developed, and ozone depletion.
• Forced air heating and cooling systems, insulated walls and windows, low indoor humidity and other increasingly common adverse indoor conditions.
• Smoke, dust, wind, extreme heat and cold and other outdoor conditions.
• Contact lenses, allergies, extreme sports, caffeine and alcohol, not drinking enough water and other health and lifestyle situations.

The amazing tear film.

Dry eye mainly occurs in the tear film that covers the eyes' exposed portions. Though only about five microns (millionths of a meter) thick, the tear film is amazingly complex.

Tear film layers:

Lipid layer. This outer layer is a thin film of fatty oils (over 100 different fats and oils have been identified), that lubricate the eyelid and slow moisture evaporation from lower layers.

Aqueous layer. The middle and thickest layer contains most of the tear film's moisture (water). It also contains electrolytes, beneficial proteins and enzymes, and bacteria-fighting antibodies.

Mucin layer. This bottom layer glues the tear film to the ocular surface.

Dry irritated eyes.

Dry eye are experienced as itching, burning, irritation, eyestrain, headache, and/or a "grainy" sensation. The ultimate cause is over-concentration of salt (electrolyte), due to moisture (water) loss in the tear film's aqueous layer. When moisture is depleted, electrolyte and other substances become over-concentrated and discomfort results. When the electrolyte is properly diluted, the discomfort vanishes.

Soothing dry eyes.

Researchers have long known that the simplest and most natural way to soothe dry irritated eyes is to add two-to-five-billionths of a liter of moisture (water) to the aqueous layer. However, a commercially viable method of achieving this was not developed until 2002. In that year, Bio-Logic Aqua Research developed a system that emulates the air's natural humidity by applying moisture as an ultra-fine, pH-balanced (<7.0) water mist around the face rather than in the eyes. The mist droplets penetrate the lipid layer like vinegar penetrates salad oil: The oils parts, the droplets pass, and the oil closes. This new hydrotherapy discovery, for the first time, enables individuals to take personal control over dry eyes through a simple and safe daily (or even hourly) moisture supplementation regimen.

Formulated Eye Drops.

Prior to 2002, the solution to dry irritated eyes had been formulated eye drops delivered with an eye dropper. Eye drops pose several drawbacks: (1) They are artificial chemical formulations, (2) eye droppers may be difficult to use, unsanitary and even dangerous, (3) eye droppers place far too much liquid into the eye, (4) drops are ineffective for many people, and (5) eye drops lack the pure, titratable (minute dosage) water required by a dehydrated aqueous layer.

The best of both worlds.

The primary benefit of formulated eye drops is trapping and sealing existing tear film moisture to slow moisture loss. Drops accomplish this most effectively when the tear film's moisture content is at full capacity. For best results, therefore, an ultra-fine water mist should be applied immediately before eye drops. A good eye mist may also be applied between eye drop applications, or when eye drops are not convenient.

Bio-Logic Aqua Research has developed a new category hydrotherapy product that is (1) the only eye care product applied as a mist, and (2) the only eye care product containing 100% pure and safe, all natural, pH-balanced (6.49), minerally correct, tissue culture grade water ideal for tear film penetration.