March 26, 2008 11:21 am
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Health Watch by Zack Mack
Special to The North Jefferson News
It can be very confusing when you look over the array of products in the eye care section of your local pharmacy.
The task of selecting the proper product becomes much easier with some basic knowledge of the products and with a little help from your pharmacist.
Spring is a time of year when many people suffer from allergies to pollen and other airborne irritants. These allergies often involve the eyes with symptoms including itching, watering, and redness all being common. This is known as allergic conjunctivitis.
Dry eyes are also a common problem. There are various reasons why people suffer from dry eyes but it is often due to drug therapy for another condition which causes the eyes to decrease production of tears. In other cases, people naturally decrease production of tears as they age. There are over-the-counter products that are often effective for either of these conditions.
The initial treatment for most minor eye irritations is an artificial lubricant. Artificial lubricants are often marketed as a replacement for natural tears. They are the cornerstone of treatment for dry eyes and are often the first choice in allergic conjunctivitis as well. These products generally contain cellulose as the primary lubricant along with povidone or polyvinyl alcohol.
There are also ointments and gels available for the treatment of dry eyes. These products are made primarily of white petrolatum which lubricates the eye and functions as the base of the ointment. Some of these products may also contain ingredients such as mineral oil to assist in lubrication.
The eye drops are usually the initial choice of treatment due to ease of administration. The ointments may be useful for patients who do not get adequate relief from lubricant drops.
Allergic conjunctivitis patients whose symptoms are not relieved with lubricant drops may benefit from drops containing antihistamines and/or decongestants. Those of you who suffer from other allergic symptoms are probably already familiar with both of these types of drugs. It should come as no surprise that they are effective at treating ocular allergy symptoms as well.
Ophthalmic products that contain a decongestant are usually labeled as eye redness treatment. This is because these decongestants work by causing blood vessels in the eye to constrict.
This not only reduces pressure in the eye but decreases visible redness as well. Visine, Murine and Clear Eyes all make products that contain a decongestant.
Decongestant products do present risks if they are used inappropriately. Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma should not use these products at all. If patients use decongestants excessively there is a risk for rebound congestion. This can be worse than the original congestive symptoms.
Decongestant use should never exceed the directions on the package labeling in either dosage frequency or duration. These are for short term management only.
There are also several choices when looking for an antihistamine. These drugs block the effects of histamine on the eye thereby decreasing itching and watering of the eyes. Naphcon A, Visine A and Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Relief are all products that contain an antihistamine and are readily available at many pharmacies.
Not all of these products contain the same antihistamine so there is the possibility that one of these products will work better for an individual than another. You may have to experiment and see which formula suits you the best.
While the drugs used to treat dry eyes and allergic conjunctivitis are safe, there are still precautions associated with their use. These products should not be used while wearing contact lenses due to possible adverse effects. If the condition persists for more than three days, then you should see your physician. Prescription medication may be needed in these cases.
If you follow the directions on the package and the advice of your pharmacist, many of the minor eye irritations associated with dry eyes or allergies can be successfully treated at home.
Zack Mack is a PharmD candidate working at The Pharmacy in Mt. Olive. The Pharmacy can be reached at 631-1201.
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