In our daily lives, our eyes are put under a lot of stress, especially when we look at screens for long periods of time. As the prevalence of dry eye syndrome increases, many people are looking for ways to relieve their discomfort, and eye drops have become an important option.
Eye drops are liquids that are applied directly to the surface of the eye, usually in small amounts.
The main ingredient of eye drops is usually saline, which can match the salinity of the eyes to reduce discomfort. These eye drops sometimes contain only a lubricant and are used as artificial tears to treat symptoms of dry eye and simple eye irritations such as itching or redness.
Depending on different eye diseases, eye drops may also contain a variety of pharmaceutical ingredients. For example, some eye drops contain steroids, antihistamines, or antibiotics, which are effective in treating eye diseases such as keratitis and glaucoma.
For dry eye syndrome, eye drops do not necessarily contain drugs, and sometimes they only serve to lubricate and replace tears. There are a variety of artificial tears available on the market, such as some eye drops containing bicarbonate ions, high-viscosity gels and ointments.
Each eye drop has its own unique benefits, so you may need to try different products to find what works best for you.
Antibiotic and steroid eye drops are commonly used to treat eye infections and prevent infections after surgery. When using these eye drops, doctors may ask patients to continue using them for a specified period of time to avoid interruption of medication, which may lead to recurrence of infection.
When conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops; but not if it is caused by a virus. In the case of allergic conjunctivitis, artificial tears can help dilute allergens in the tear film and relieve symptoms.
Eye drops for glaucoma can promote the drainage of fluid in the eye and reduce the production of fluid in the eye, thereby lowering intraocular pressure. These eye drops are usually classified according to their active ingredients, including prostaglandins, beta-blockers, alpha-agonists, etc.
Some patients may need to use multiple eye drops at the same time to achieve optimal results.
Although eye drops have fewer side effects than oral medications, you still need to be aware that they may cause temporary stinging or discomfort. Long-term use of steroid eye drops can lead to serious problems such as glaucoma or cataracts.
For some users of eye drops, symptoms such as eye flushing, stinging, and blurred vision may occur. If you encounter these situations, you must contact your doctor promptly.
In fact, many patients may try a variety of eye drops due to different needs, and ultimately find a soothing product that suits them. But do you fully understand the selection and use of various eye drops?