The Pharmacy Counter Is The Perfect Place To Offer Advice And Product Guidance When It Comes To Eye Health.
Maintaining our eyes and our sight are an integral part of our health and wellbeing, a fact acknowledged by patients, parents, and healthcare professionals.
It is estimated that there are over 270,000 people living in Ireland who are blind or vision-impaired. In Ireland, a significant proportion of people — particularly the older population who are more vulnerable to age-related sight loss conditions — suffer from sight loss which is almost entirely preventable. Research shows that up to 75 per cent of blindness and vision loss can be avoided through early diagnosis and treatment.
As well as injuries, there are a number of common eye conditions, including amblyopia, conjunctivitis, and dry eye.
COMMON EYE COMPLAINTS
Amblyopia is reduced vision in an eye due to a lack of normal visual development during childhood. It affects 3-to-4 per cent of children and usually involves one eye, though it can, rarely, involve both. The best time to correct amblyopia is during infancy or early childhood. After the first nine years of life, the visual system is usually fully developed and cannot be significantly changed. It is treated by patching the stronger eye to strengthen the weaker eye. Patching may vary from a few hours a day to almost the entire day, depending upon the visual acuity.
Conjunctivitis refers to inf lammation or infection. It is very common and can vary from a mild redness to a severe condition causing damage to the eye.
The most common type of conjunctivitis is viral. This will disappear on its own but is very contagious and can spread rapidly, especially among children. It is therefore important that hands be washed frequently and kept away from the face. Towels should not be shared. Bacterial conjunctivitis is much less common and is treated with antibiotics. Bacterial conjunctivitis generally has a lot of pus-like drainage from the eye.
There is also allergic conjunctivitis. People should be advised to refrain from rubbing their eyes, as it only makes the inf lammation and itching worse. Cool compresses may offer some relief from symptoms.
Fortunately, these conditions can be managed with advice and over-the-counter (OTC) products available from the pharmacy.
PRODUCTS
Dry eyes are a very common problem, and can cause eyes to be itchy, sore, gritty, red, blurry, sensitive to light, and more watery than normal. A person may be more likely to get dry eyes if they are over the age of 50, wear contact lenses, and look at computer screens for a long time without a break. Factors such as air-conditioning, smoking or alcohol, as well as certain medicines — for example, some antidepressants or blood pressure drugs — can also contribute.
Advice for sufferers is to keep their eyes clean and take breaks when using a computer screen. They can also be advised to soak a f lannel in warm water and gently press it on the area around the eyes. This makes the oil produced by the glands around the eyes more runny. Sufferers of dry eye can also be advised to gently massage their eyelids with their finger or a cotton bud. This pushes the oils out of the glands. Eyelids can also be cleaned by soaking cotton wool in warm water and gently wiping away any excess oil, crusts, bacteria, dust, or grime that might have built up.
SUFFERERS OF DRY EYE CAN ALSO BE ADVISED TO GENTLY MASSAGE THEIR EYELIDS WITH THEIR FINGER OR A COTTON BUD
There is also a number of products available to manage and treat dry eye, including Hylo-Tear drops.
Hylo-Tear drops is a carefully formulated product containing 0.1% sodium hyaluronate that can quickly relieve moderate symptoms of dry eye. Sodium hyaluronate is a natural and long-acting ingredient which is present in many parts of our body, including the eye. Delivered via the unique, patented system, Hylo-Tear will release one drop for every click in a pump action technique. It is preservative-free and will remain sterile for six months from the time of opening, making it extremely economic and cost effective.
Hylo-Tear eye drops are recommended for moderate forms of dry eye. They are suitable for adults and children of all age groups and can also be used during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Hylo-Tear eye drops are safe to use with contact lenses.
There are also products from the Artelac range. Artelac Every Day hydrating eye drops gives fast and lasting relief from symptoms of dry eyes. It contains a natural moisturiser found in the tear film which refreshes and calms the eyes. It is super hydrating, preservative-free, and contact lens-friendly.
There is also Artelac Night. This supports all three layers of the tear film with its intelligent hydration system for dry, tired, burning, and tearing eyes. It also provides lasting relief from dry eye discomfort during the night.
Artelac Protect reinforces the eyes’ natural barrier against allergens and reduces inf lammation and irritation. It contains Ectoin, a 100 per cent natural molecule, with cell-protective and anti-inf lammatory properties. The formulation also contains sodium hyaluronate, a natural moisturiser that soothes and calms irritated eyes.
The well-known and popular brand Optrex has a number of products to treat irritated and infected eyes.
Optrex Hayfever Drops are clinically proven to relieve symptoms of hay fever-related eye allergies. They contain sodium cromoglicate and can target the source of itchy eyes. It can be used in conjunction with antihistamine treatments.
Optrex Double Action Drops for Itchy & Watery Eyes Single Day Vials are also available and provide soothing and lubricating double-action relief. They are suitable for use with contact lenses.
Optrex Bloodshot Eye Drops, also available OTC, are medicated eye drops to relieve redness of the eyes. They are mildly astringent to temporarily relieve redness of the eye caused by minor eye irritation. They help provide relief for eyes that have become red and sore due to environmental factors such as dust, chlorine, etc. The drops help to reduce the bloodshot appearance and restore normal blood f low, and are recommended for adults and children over 12 years old.
There is also Optrex Bacterial Conjunctivitis 1% w/w eye ointment. A topical ointment administered to the eye, it is used to treat acute bacterial conjunctivitis.
There is also a range of anti-wrinkle and puffiness creams available from the community pharmacy. One of these is the Nivea Q10 60+ Anti-Wrinkle & Anti-Puffiness Eye Cream.
It is an anti-wrinkle eye cream for use on 60+ skin. It produces radiant, smooth eye contours and healthy-looking skin. This anti-puffiness cream has been formulated to deliver three key benefits to help eyes shine even brighter. It reduces puffiness, improves the skin’s elasticity around the eyes, and smooths fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area.
The cream contains an innovative triple-strength formula specially designed for 60+ skin combining co-enzyme Q10, rose petal oil, and calcium.
The Thealipid range is also available, which includes Thealipid eye drops, which provide relief from evaporative dry eye and restore the ocular surface. They are clinically proven to reduce all dry eye symptoms and are 100 per cent preservative-free.
Blephagel Eyelid Cleansing Gel is also available to help refresh and soothe sensitive eyelids. It gently removes dirt, tears, secretions, and make-up. It is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It is hypoallergenic, preservative-and perfume-free, and also ophthalmologically tested.
Well-known brand Medicare produces Sensitive Orthoptic Eye Patches for common childhood eye conditions such as amblyopia (‘lazy eye’) and crossed eye. They are also suitable for use after surgery or if a person has a sensitive or damaged eye. They are skin-friendly due to their hypoallergenic and latex-free adhesive.
LUTEIN IS A HUGELY BENEFICIAL ANTIOXIDANT WHICH IS FOUND IN MANY FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
There is also the Medicare Hot and Cold Gel Eye Mask. This helps relieve tension and aids in clearing sinuses. This soothing eye mask conforms comfortably to the eye area to ensure maximum comfort and relief. It helps clear sinuses and relieves tension, headaches, and migraines.
ADVICE
As well as medication, there are a number of lifestyle changes that people can make to improve their eye health.
The Irish College of Ophthalmologists encourages people to take positive steps to protect their sight, an action aimed at ultimately improving the nation’s eye health and reducing avoidable sight loss.
“Regular sight tests are essential for maintaining healthy eyes. More than half of all sight loss is avoidable when detected early and a regular eye test can identify early indications of eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD),” the College said in a statement.
Studies have also shown that what we eat can affect vision. Certain foods are particularly high in antioxidants, which can help to prevent retinal damage and certain eye conditions like cataracts and AMD. Lutein is a hugely beneficial antioxidant which is found in many fruit and vegetables. Foods recommended for eye health include: Broad leaf greens such as kale and spinach; brightly-coloured fruit and veg such as corn, carrots, orange sweet peppers, and oranges; oily fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel; broccoli; and eggs.
The Irish College of Ophthalmologists also recommends exercise, particularly for people aged 60 and over. Exercise may reduce the risk of sight loss from narrowing or hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Reducing the amount of alcohol is also a good idea, as excessive alcohol consumption can lead to serious health conditions which can have a detrimental effect on eye health. Similarly, smoking cessation is also a good idea. According to the College, after ageing, smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing macular degeneration. Smoking also increases the risk of developing cataracts.
Furthermore, certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma, can be hereditary, so advising people to know their family history is helpful.
Wearing sunglasses reduces the risk of eye damage caused by the strong ultraviolet light from the sun’s rays. It is also very important to take frequent breaks from the computer screen, at least once an hour, to allow your eyes to rest. This will help to avoid problems such as eye strain, lack of focus, and headaches.
People who have diabetes are at risk of developing a condition called diabetic retinopathy and should ensure they have regular eye tests to enable early detection and treatment.