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We hope that we can answer your questions to help you in the care of your eyes.
This page is not intended to subsitute for visits to your eye care specialist, but merely serves as a complementary service. If you have any unanswered questions after reading this material, please call your ophthalmologist.
| OVER-THE-COUNTER EYE CARE PRODUCTS.
Often when your eyes are slightly red, or irritable and tired, patients tend to use over-the-counter eye care products which they have on hand at home. Most over-the-counter eye care products, particularly those advertised for clearing up red eyes, are relatively safe when used in moderation. They are, however, capable of causing adverse effects if used for prolonged periods of time. These adverse effects are usually redness of the eye and irritation of the eye. The patient then instills more drops, not realizing that in this way , she is directly aggravating the condition. For this reason, most of the package inserts on these products advise against continuous use and advocate consultation with your doctor should the symptoms not improve on these medications or persist after a few days. It is important to remember to discard all eyedrops that have been opened for longer than 30 days to prevent infection due to contamination. The tip of the bottle should not touch the eyelashes when instilling drops, but should rather be held a little way above the eye. Do not use a friend or family member's prescription eyedrops without consulting your doctor, as they may contain cortisone or other potentially harmful ingredients, and if used for the wrong indication, could result in serious complications. Contact lens wearers are usually exposed to more over-the-counter products than any other people. Certain of these products contain preservatives that may cause irritation or allergic reactions. Patients who develop such problems with contact lens wear are advised to consult their eye care practitioners as there are several conditions which could cause these symptoms. If allergy is the cause, a different method of contact lens sterilization will be suggested such as heat sterilization. If infection is the cause, you will probably be asked to remove the contact lenses for a while and sterilize them, and while they are not being worn, the infection can be treated with eye drops. More serious infections can also be present and corneal ulcers can develop which may in the long term do damage to the sharpness of vision. It is for this reason that contact lens wearers are urged to see their eye care practitioners when faced with irritable, red eyes instead of managing the problem themselves. The most common manifestations of allergic reactions in the eyes are redness, itching of the eyes and lids, and swelling of the eyelids. A watery, sometimes stringy discharge may accompany these symptoms. |