Sometimes, some people don't actually know what is the function of an eye drop. Or some people just simply put a few drops of eye drop on their eyes when they feel less comfortable. This is actually very dangerous because there might be a risk for the person to get blind!! Thus, its better to make a consultation at eye doctors before simply get an eye drop. Basically, only few eye problems need an eye drop. These include,
# dryness
# itching
# swelling
# redness
# soreness
# mattering (eye goop)
# allergies or infection
Each type of these eye problems have their specific eye drops. Thus, be alert with the eye drops you are using and also your eye problem to prevent any risks.
Eye drops today mainly have 2 types, with or without preservative. But it is better to use those without preservative because its actually reducing the natural function of your cornea!! Thus, there are less preservative eye drops selling in the market or been using. Here, im only going to talk abt eye drops for dry eyes.
Actually dry eyes is the reduction in the number of conjunctival goblet cells on the surface of the eye. Eye drops therefore work to try and restore this balance in electrolytes as well as moisturizing and lubricating the eyes. Artificial tears or eye drops usually are the first line of treatment for dry eyes. While mild cases require application of lubricant drops four times a day, severe cases require more aggressive treatment, such as ten to twelve times a day. Thicker artificial tears can be used in severe cases, although these may temporarily blur vision.
For more severe cases of dry eye, in which the cornea is inflamed, anti-inflammatory agents are sometimes prescribed. Topical steroids (in eye drops) are safe for short-term use, to combat inflammation, but can cause side-effects when used for a long time. There is also another treatment which is called punctal occlusion. It is a procedure where tiny plugs are used to slow the rate of drainage of tears from the eye into the nose. This is usually for those forms of very dry eyes.
There are few active ingredients in eye drop. An artificial tear inserted that contains hydroxypropyl cellulose, which is one of it, can be used safely every morning. Another ingredient is benzalkoniun chloride. This is an ingredient that will produce allergic reaction for long-term continuous usage. Beside that, higher concentration of this also will cause the denature of corneal protein or punctures of the corneal epithelium. Thus they are normally in a very small concentration.
We know that most of the things will bring us harm if we overdose or over used that. Same goes to eye drop here. The over using of eye drop will give unpleasant side effects, and include vomiting, troubled breathing, and back pain. On the other hand, artificial tears do not contain the same ingredients found in prescription eye drops that can be harmful if overused. Therefore, it is much safer to use artificial tears repeatedly. And for the preservative-free artificial tears, there is almost no risk of overuse!! Its a good news for us.
In conclusion, please be careful with the products you are using for this will affect your sightness, the most important part of your body!! Also, please consult an eye doctor before you use an eye drop for safety purpose. And now, i can enjoy my active lifestyle with no worries of my eyes being dry and uncomfortable! Whee!!
Reference:
1) http://www.dry-eyes.co.uk/acatalog/Can_eye_drops_help.html
2) http://www.allaboutvision.com/buysmart/eye-drops.htm
3) http://www.drugs.com/pdr/genteal-eye-drops.html
4) http://www.docshop.com/2007/09/25/overusing-eye-drops-not-a-pretty-sight/
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