Sometimes our eyes get really tired, don't they? After staring at the computer all day, staying in an air-conditioned (AC) room, or coming back from a dusty environment, you may have experienced discomfort such as dry, red, and itchy eyes. It is at times like these that many people use eye drops called ' Artificial Tears '. Let's talk a little about this today.
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What are these artificial tears?
Simply put, these are a liquid that is made to resemble the tears that our eyes naturally produce. When our eyes become dry and lack moisture, these artificial tears are used to relieve the discomfort and provide lubrication to the eyes. To be precise, they help relieve eye irritation, itching, and general discomfort. These are available from pharmacies under various brand names.
Things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before you use this medicine, it is very important to discuss these issues with your doctor, because in some cases we need to be careful when using these.
- If you have recently noticed any changes in your vision .
- If you have an infection or injury to your eye .
- If you are a contact lens wearer.
- You are allergic to artificial tears, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.If there is an allergic reaction .
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
It is very important for your safety to inform the doctor of this information in advance.
How do you use these eye drops correctly?
Okay, now let's see how to do this exactly. Follow these steps, and it's very easy.
1. First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. This should be done before and after using the product.
2. Tilt your head back slightly and gently pull down your lower eyelid with your index finger. This will create a small pouch-like space between the eyelid and the eye.
3. Do not touch the tip of the bottle to your eyes, fingertips, or any other surface. Doing so may introduce germs into the bottle.
4. Put the amount of eye drops your doctor recommends (usually one or two drops) into the bag formed by your eyelid.
5. Then, slowly close your eyes and wait a few seconds. This will allow the medicine to spread throughout the eye.
6. Take the medicine at the right time as instructed by your doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
What if it is used for small children?
Although these are recommended for children over 6 years of age in some cases, you should definitely seek advice from a pediatrician if you are giving this medicine to a child.
If you accidentally take too much of this medicine or if someone drinks it, do not panic. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What are the special things to be careful about?
If you forget to take your medicine...
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once, adding to the missed dose.
If used with other eye drops...
If you are also using other types of eye drops, you should leave at least 5 minutes between the two. This way, one medicine will not interfere with the effectiveness of the other.
If used with an eye ointment...
If you are using an eye ointment with eye drops, you should wait about 10 minutes after putting in the eye drops before applying the ointment. This will give the eye drops time to absorb into the eye properly.
Especially for those who use contact lenses...
If you wear contact lenses, you should remove them before applying eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after applying the medication before putting them back in.
What are the possible side effects?
Most of the time, these don't cause serious side effects, but it's good to be aware of the things that can sometimes happen and the things we need to be concerned about immediately.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | If you experience symptoms such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, see a doctor immediately. |
| Vision changes | If blurred vision persists or other vision changes occur. |
| The situation is getting worse. | If eye pain, redness, or discomfort does not improve after 72 hours (3 days) and worsens, discontinue use. See a doctor immediately. |
| Temporary inconvenience | You may experience a slight burning sensation, stinging sensation, or temporary blurred vision immediately after applying the medicine to your eyes. This usually goes away after a while. If it persists, tell your doctor. |
How do you store the medicine bottle properly?
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius). Keep away from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
- Never store in the freezer.
- Throw away expired medicine.
- Most importantly: It is generally safest to throw away any eye drops you have opened for 30 days after they are used, as germs can enter the bottle over time.
Take-Home Message
- Artificial tears are a type of eye drop that is used to relieve dry eyes and related discomfort, and keeps the eye moist.
- Before using these, tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have, allergies, and other medications you are taking.
- When applying the medication to the eye, be careful not to touch the tip of the bottle to the eye or anywhere else.
- If the eye discomfort does not improve after 3 days of using the medication or if it worsens, see a doctor immediately.
- If using a different type of eye drops, leave a 5-minute gap between the two types.
- It is safest to throw away any remaining medicine 30 days after opening the bottle.
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