
How to Choose the Right Eye Drops for Dry Eyes
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Are dry, irritated eyes holding you back from enjoying your day? Whether it’s the relentless strain from hours of screen time, the dryness of air-conditioned environments, or seasonal allergies causing havoc, dry eyes are more than just an inconvenience—they’re a constant distraction. The good news? Relief is closer than you think!
Choosing the right eye drops can make all the difference, transforming irritated, tired eyes into refreshed, comfortable ones. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? At Glovida-Rx, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know to find the perfect solution (pun intended) for your eyes, so you can say goodbye to discomfort and hello to clarity and comfort. Let’s dive in!
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Understanding the root cause of your dry eyes is essential for determining the most effective measures to alleviate discomfort and improve eye health. Below are some common causes you may encounter in everyday life:
- Prolonged screen time: Studies show that prolonged screen time disrupts natural blinking patterns, resulting in ocular dryness. This affects both blink frequency and blink completeness, which are crucial for maintaining moisture levels on the eye's surface (Al-Mohtaseb, 2021).
- Air-conditioned environments: The reduced humidity in these environments accelerates the evaporation of tears from the surface of the eyes. This can disrupt the tear film that keeps eyes lubricated.
- Allergies or seasonal changes: Allergic reactions cause the release of histamines in the body, leading to inflammation that disrupts tear production and increases chances of dry eyes. Seasonal changes affect humidity levels in the air, affecting overall moisture levels that disrupt tear production. Different seasons may also result in the release of different forms of irritants in the air, such as pollen in spring, or dry winds in autumn.
- Contact lens wear or medical conditions: Contact lens sit on the surface of the eye, allowing it to absorb its moistures and leading to dry eyes. The lenses may also act as a barrier to tear spread, increasing its dryness.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eyes
By recognising the symptoms of dry eyes early and understanding their underlying causes, individuals can seek timely interventions, preventing further complications and improving overall eye comfort.
By recognising the symptoms of dry eyes early and understanding their underlying causes, individuals can seek timely interventions, preventing further complications and improving overall eye comfort.
- Dryness and irritation: A persistent feeling of dryness in the eyes.
- Redness: Visible redness due to inflammation or irritation.
- Itchy eyes: A frequent urge to rub the eyes.
- Burning or stinging sensation: A common discomfort experienced with dry eyes.
- Watery eyes: Paradoxical tearing caused by irritation (reflex tearing).
- Blurred vision: Temporary blurriness, especially after prolonged screen time or focus.
- Grittiness: A sensation of sand or grit in the eyes.
Types of Eye Drops and Their Uses
Whether you require lubrication for dry eyes, redness reduction, or treatment for specific conditions like allergies or infections, distinguishing amongst the different eye drops in the market helps you pick the appropriate product to serve your needs.
- Artificial Tears: Best for general dryness and mild discomfort. Artificial tears work by mimicking natural tears, providing lubrication, and helping maintain a stable tear film. They replenish the aqueous, mucous, and lipid layers of the tear film, enhance its stability, improve eye comfort and reduce symptoms like grittiness or burning.
- Lubricating Eye Drops: For long-lasting moisture, lubricating eye drops relieve the symptoms of dry eyes by enhancing the moisture and stability of the tear film. It also minimises friction between the eyelids and the cornea, alleviating the gritty or sandy sensation often associated with dry eyes.
- Preservative-Free Eye Drops: Ideal for sensitive eyes or frequent use. Preservative-free eye drops are a preferred option for managing chronically dry eyes. They function similarly to lubricating eye drops, and are compatible with contact lens wearers, and those recovering from post-eye surgery.
- Antihistamine Eye Drops: For allergy-related dry eyes, antihistamine eye drops relieve itchiness, redness, and watering by blocking histamine receptors. They are particularly effective against seasonal allergens like pollen and irritants like dust or smoke.
- Eye Gels: For severe dry eyes. Eye gels have a thicker consistency compared to regular eye drops, forming a protective barrier on the eye's surface to retain moisture for a longer time. Their thicker consistency makes them particularly effective for overnight use, keeping eyes hydrated while you sleep.
- Prescription Eye Drops: Prescription eye drops work by addressing specific underlying causes of eye conditions, including chronic dry eyes, inflammation, infections, or other eye-related issues. These eye drops are meant for chronic or severe conditions that don't respond to over-the-counter treatments, specifically when inflammation, infection, or pressure issues are involved.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Eye Drops
- Ingredients to look for: This would be dependent on the ocular-related issue you are facing such as:
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Dry eyes
- Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Helps retains moisture and promote long-lasting hydration.
- Hypromellose/Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC): Creates a protective barrier on the ocular surface, aiming to soothe dryness.
- Glycerine or Propylene Glycol: Provides lubrication and reduces tear evaporation.
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Allergies
- Antihistamines (eg. Pheniramine maleate): Helps by blocking histamine receptors to relieve symptoms.
- Mast Cell stabilisers (eg. Cromolyn Sodium): Provides long-term relief from allergies.
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Redness
- Vasoconstrictors (eg. Naphazoline hydrochloride): Temporarily reduces redness by constricting blood vessels.
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Infections
- Antibiotics (eg. Ophthalmic tobramycin) : Kills bacterial infection on the eyes by breaking down the bacterial DNA.
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Dry eyes
- Avoid products with preservatives if you have sensitive eyes, as they can worsen your condition. Preservatives are mostly used in multi-dose eye drops as their bottles are not designed to keep out bacteria from entering through the nozzle.
Common preservatives used in eyedrops include:
- Benzalkonium Chloride: Prevents bacterial growth in multi-dose eye drops
- Polyquad: Kills bacteria and maintains sterility
- Sodium Perborate: Kills microorganisms while minimising irritation
- Frequency of use: Single-use vials vs. multi-dose bottles.
- Compatibility with contact lenses.
Recommended Products Available at Glovida-Rx
At Glovida-Rx, we offer a diverse selection of eye drops tailored to meet various eye care needs. Below is a curated list of products designed for different purposes:
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Evolve Dry Eye Max: Evolve Dry Eye Max is a preservative-free eye drop with a patented valve system for bacterial protection. With 0.2% hyaluronic acid, it relieves dry eye discomfort, soothing soreness, itchiness, and irritation. Suitable for use with contact lenses. -
Lumecare Carbomer Eye Gel 10g: Lumecare Carbomer eye drops refresh and hydrate the eyes, offering up to seven times longer hydration than regular eye drops. Enriched with sorbitol, they deliver a cooling effect upon application, protecting the eyes from dryness. Ideal for use in dry climates. -
Naphcon-A Eye Drops 10ml: Naphcon-A Eye Drops combine the antihistamine pheniramine maleate (0.3%) and the redness-reducing agent naphazoline hydrochloride (0.025%) in a convenient topical eye drop solution. -
Hylo-Comod Lubricating Eye Drops 10ml: Hylo-Comod Lubricating Eye Drops relieve dryness, burning, and foreign body sensations caused by environmental factors or post-surgical recovery. Containing sodium hyaluronate, it takes the form of artificial tears, forming a long-lasting moisture film on the eye surface for effective hydration. - TOBREX (Tobramycin) 0.3% Eye Drop 5ml: A prescribed medicated eye drop containing Tobramycin – An aminoglycoside antibiotic that works by targeting bacterial infections of the eye.
For serious cases like conjunctivitis, kindly Whatsapp our pharmacists at WhatsApp: +65 8101 5555 for a complimentary consultation on the best eye solution.
Conclusion
Choosing the right eye drops is essential to address your specific needs and reclaim comfort from the discomfort of dry, irritated eyes. Whether caused by prolonged screen use, dry air, or seasonal allergies, these issues can disrupt your day. The good news? Relief is within reach.
By selecting a product tailored to your condition, you can go from tired, irritated eyes to refreshed and hydrated ones. With the variety of options available, finding the right solution may feel overwhelming – but Glovida-Rx is here to provide high-quality and reliable options. Let us guide you in choosing the perfect eye drops for clarity, comfort, and a better day ahead! Whatsapp our pharmacists at +65 8101 5555 for a complimentary consultation on the best eye solution today!
Citation:
Al-Mohtaseb, Zaina et al. “The Relationship Between Dry Eye Disease and Digital Screen Use.” Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 15 3811-3820. 10 Sep. 2021, doi:10.2147/OPTH.S321591