At the beginning of the 2025 season, one of the Aprilia riders contacted us about severe eye irritation. It was a complex situation related to several factors: the heat generated by the motorcycle, intense air flows inside the helmet, and reduced cleansing of the ocular surface caused by unintentional dysfunction of the eyelid muscles. A dangerous mix that, combined with frequent smartphone use, created the “perfect storm.”
Those who suffer from dry eye syndrome struggle with burning, itching, foreign body sensation in the eyes and, in severe cases, even blurred vision. On the track, all this can impair concentration and performance, putting not only the race but also safety at risk.
We adopted a targeted strategy with the pilot: regular use of artificial tears, specific humectant products, protective goggles to reduce airflow, and dedicated therapy also for the eyelid dermatitis that developed later.
But the case is not isolated. In Italy, more than 25 percent of the population suffers from dry eye, and the numbers are steadily growing. Our lifestyle – between screens, smog and air conditioning – does not help. Dry Eye Syndrome (DES, Dry Eye Syndrome) or Tear Film Dysfunction Syndrome is an underestimated condition that, if left untreated, can seriously affect the quality of vision.
The main risk factors
Some of the most common causes include:
- Contact lens use (present in 50% of cases)
- Chronic ocular infections and inflammation
- Systemic diseases such as hypothyroidism or rheumatoid arthritis
- Smoking (female smokers have a fourfold increased risk)
- Overuse of cosmetics or botox
- Dry climate, smog, sun exposure, air-conditioned environments
- Prolonged use of computers or smartphones, which alter posture and blink frequency
Diagnosis and treatment: the new frontier of Pulsed Light
Diagnosis should always be referred to an eye doctor, who can devise a personalized treatment plan. Among the most effective innovations is Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment. The EYE-LIGHT protocol, adopted by EyeCare Clinic, combines two patented technologies, OPE (Optimal Power Energy) and LM (Light Modulation – LLT), optimizing the energy of light and heat to stimulate tear gland function.
The treatment is painless, lasts only a few minutes, and offers perceptible improvements after only a few hours. Two to four sessions are planned, 15 to 20 days apart.In addition to the clinical benefit, EYE-LIGHT also has an aesthetic application, with positive effects on the eye contour and expression lines.
