Dry Eyes and Irritation
About two-thirds of New Zealanders have an eye problem at some time. Dry and irritated eyes are a common problem. Conjunctivitis, blocked tear glands and styes are also common, but are not discussed here.
Dry eyes are caused by an imbalance in the tear film that lubricates the eyes between blinks. Tears are of poor quality and are ineffective at lubricating the eye. Although the eye feels dry, it tends to water more, as it attempts to make up for the lack of lubrication. Symptoms of dry eye are more common in older people and after menopause. Sometimes dry eye is caused by eyelid inflammation, computer use or because of some diseases and medicines.
Symptoms of dry eye include:
Sore, gritty and irritated eyes – as if you have something in your eye, like sand
Eyes that are sensitive to bright light, open air and wind
Watering eyes – dry eyes can water a lot, even though they still feel dry
There may be a fine crusting on the edges of the eyelids
Eyes that look slightly red or pink.
Other causes for dry or irritated eyes include late nights (‘party eyes’), wind, dust, smoke, air conditioning, air pollution, chemicals, sunlamps, glare from snow, sand or the sea, or sleeping with contact lenses in.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
If you have a weakened immune system or serious medical condition always talk to the pharmacist. Also talk to the pharmacist if:
Your eye or eyes are red, painful, or sensitive to light or severely dry
You see colour or halos around lights or your sight is affected
Only one eye is affected
You have strangely shaped pupils or cloudy eyes
Your eyes produce a discharge, such as pus
You have other symptoms, such as headache, vomiting or a rash
Your eyes do not respond to treatment, or improve within two days
You have had the problem before
You think the problem was caused by something stuck in your eye
You have a cold sore, herpes or shingles
The person with the eye problem is a baby, young child or elderly person
You are pregnant or breastfeeding – some medicines may not be suitable
You have allergies to any medicines
You wear contact lenses.
Always seek medical advice if you have red or painful eyes, any unusual discharge, or if your vision changes.
Treatment Tips
Treatment tips for dry and irritated eyes
Try to remove or avoid the cause of your dry or irritated eyes if possible
Protect your eyes from the wind and sun by wearing sunglasses
Wear glasses instead of contact lenses if you have dry or irritated eyes or an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis
Throw eye drop bottles or eye ointment tubes away one month after opening – mark the date you open them on the bottle
Check with the pharmacist if you wear contact lenses as some eye drops or ointments contain ingredients that may damage contact lenses
Drink plenty of water and keep your eyes lubricated with eye drops when they are dry as dry eyes that are left untreated for too long can easily get damaged
Consider visiting an optometrist every two years for an eye examination.
Tips for applying eye drops
Always wash your hands first
Pull your lower eyelid down gently with your index finger to form a pocket, tilt your head back slightly and look up
Hold the bottle between your thumb and index finger and squeeze gently to release the recommended number of drops into your eyelid pouch
Do not touch your eye with the dropper tip
Do not blink, as this draws the drops into the tear duct and out of the eye
Close your eye and press gently on the corner near your nose, to stop the drops draining through your tear duct
Remove excess drops with a clean tissue
If you have more than one type of eye drop or ointment to put in your eye, wait 10 minutes before adding other eye products
Use eye drops before any eye ointment.
Tips for applying eye ointment
Always wash your hands first
Pull your lower eyelid down gently with your index finger to form a pocket, tilt your head back slightly and look up
Hold the tube between your thumb and index finger and rest your hand against the base of your nose, to position the tube tip
Apply a small blob or ribbon of ointment into your lower eyelid pouch
Do not touch your eye with the tube tip
Remove excess ointment with a clean tissue
Eye ointment may blur vision for a short time after use. Do not drive or operate machinery until vision is clear.
Treatment Options
Both dry and irritated eyes can be relieved with lubricating eye preparations, designed to mimic the effects of natural tears. These soothe dry eyes, and also wash away any gritty particles which may be causing the irritation.
Lubricant eye drops are best used during the day with lubricant eye ointment recommended at night since it will stay in the eye longer
Some people may be sensitive to the preservatives used in eye preparations. You should discontinue use if eye drops/ointments make your eyes red or even more irritated
If your eyes are slightly red, eye drops containing a decongestant can relieve the redness – but they should only be used for a few days.
Always discuss treatment options with your pharmacist to ensure the best outcome.
Eye drops and gels to soothe dry eyes
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Bion Tears, Blink Intensive Tears, Celluvisc drops, Optive drops, Refresh Liquigel, Refresh Plus, Refresh Tears Plus, Refresh Contacts, Systane, Tears Again, Thera Tears
These eye drops lubricate the eye between blinks.
Eye ointments to soothe dry eyes
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Lacri-Lube, Viscotears
These eye ointments are longer lasting than lubricating eye drops but may cause blurred vision so are best used at night.
Eye drops to soothe irritated eyes which are slightly red
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Albalon Relief, Prefrin
[PHARMACY ONLY]
e.g., Albalon, Albalon A Allergy Eye Drops, Clear Eyes, Clear Eyes Allergy, Optrex Red Eyes Eye Drops, Visine Clear, Visine Advanced
These eye drops contain a decongestant to take away the redness
Decongestants should not be used for more than three days – they can worsen the redness if used longer than this (causing a ‘rebound’ redness from overuse).
Eye washes
[GENERAL SALE]
e.g., Optrex Eye Wash with eye bath
Eye washes are useful for rinsing the eye to remove minor irritants such as dust, dirt and sand
Follow instructions on the package carefully.
More Information
Availability of medicines
GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.
PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.
PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.
Consumer Medicine Information on some medicines is available at the government website www.medsafe.govt.nz
