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Tears don't care who cries them
Moist eyes are healthy eyes. Your tears are natural lubricants, but in a world of irritants, adverse conditions, and men who are supposed to be in touch with their feelings, you might need some help with dry eyes. Exposure to sun and wind from surfing, skiing, jogging, or hiking can cause dry eyes. So can your air conditioner, household chemicals, and staring at a computer screen. Using over-the-counter moisteners known as "artificial tears" will help reduce pain and redness associated with dry eyes. If left unattended, dry eyes can result in severe damage, including blindness. Go have yourself a cry, and we'll talk later.
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When Your Tears Aren't Flowing Naturally
- Use artificial tears during the day. At night, closed lids keep eyes moist.
- Dry eyes are common among the elderly and artificial tears are used routinely for the relief of discomfort.
- Artificial tears are considered safe and effective for self-treatment of redness and discomfort of the eyes. They have about the same saltiness and acidity as natural tears.
- Since vision may not be as clear in dry eyes as in adequately moistened ones, artificial tears can be beneficial when you are driving, reading, or watching TV, or when glare is a problem.
- If your eyes are dry and irritated, take out your contact lenses if you wear them. This helps reduce irritation.
- Artificial tears may contain preservatives that can cause further eye irritation in some people. If you experience eye irritation from artificial tears, consider switching to a preservative-free product.
More on Dry Eye
- Dry eye is termed keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
- It may cause irritation, sensitivity to light, or the feeling that something is stuck in your eye.
- Extreme cases may need frequent and liberal doses of artificial tears to avoid eye damage.
More Than Dry Eye
- See a physician if your eyes are chronically dry. This could be due to medications, a pre-existing condition, or other complications.
- Dry eye should not cause mucusy or watery discharge from your eye accompanied with inflammation of the eyelid or reddening of the eye. These symptoms can indicate conjunctivitis, and if you have it, artificial tears will not help.
- Conjunctivitis may be caused by a virus, bacteria, or seasonal allergy.
- You need to be concerned if it is bacterial conjunctivitis, because it could cause permanent eye damage.
- If you have conjunctivitis or its symptoms and there is no improvement or worsening of symptoms after three days, take this as a warning sign. You must consult a physician.
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Demulcents
Demulcents serve to coat, moisten, and lubricate the eyes. Though demulcents comprise only a small portion of artificial tears, they help hold moisture on the eye. They are relatively inert substances when used in the eye and should not cause eye irritation.
Astringents
Astringents help pull proteins out of solution, thereby helping clear mucus from the eyes.
Preservatives
Preservatives help to keep the eye solutions sterile and prevent degradation of active ingredients. However, many people find that preservatives irritate their eyes. Preservative-free eye drops are available; they contain lubricants like cellulose ethers or povidone but lack preservatives. Therefore, they are often packaged in single-use containers.
| Demulcents | Ingredient | Description |
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| Cellulose derivatives | | Include carboxymethylcellulose sodium, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose. Effective, with no known adverse reactions. | | Dextran 70 | | Produced by bacteria grown on sucrose (table sugar), it's chemically inactive. While rated safe and effective, it may produce temporary stinging or blurred vision. | | Gelatin | | A naturally occuring polymer, it's safe and effective when combined with other polymeric demulcents. | | Liquid polyols | | Include the polyethylene glycols, glycerin, polysorbate 80, and propylene glycol. Safe and effective demulcents, they are commonly used as bases for drugs and cosmetics. These drugs have few side effects and are able to coat surfaces well. | | Polyvinyl alcohol | | Safe and less viscous than other artificial tear substances. Helps stabilize the tear film without causing irritation. | | Povidone | | An inactive ingredient, it is safe and effective for soothing and lubricating dry eyes. | | Astringents | Ingredient | Description |
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| Zinc sulfate | | The only FDA-approved astringent for eye preparations. Not commonly found in nonprescription products. | | Preservatives | Ingredient | Description |
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| Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) | | An effective antimicrobial with a long shelf life, although it disrupts the eye's tear film. Not commonly found in nonprescription products. | | Benzethonium chloride | | An effective antimicrobial with a long shelf life, but disruptive to the tear film in your eye. Not commonly used in nonprescription products. | | Cetylpyridinuim chloride | | An effective antimicrobial with a long shelf life, but disruptive to the tear film in your eye. | | Chlorhexidine | | Good at inhibiting microbial growth, it does not disrupt the tear film of the eye. Not commonly found in nonprescription products. | | Chlorobutanol | | Not as effective as benzalkonuim chloride against microbes and has a short shelf life. | | EDTA | | Also known as ethylenediaminetetracetic acid, it's a metal chelator that helps maintain the integrity and activity of other preservatives. Some people may develop contact allergies from this ingredient. | | Methylparaben | | May not be stable in high pH environments and can sometimes induce allergic reactions. | | Phenylmercuric acetate | | A mercury-based compound that may cause eye irritation by breaking down into elemental mercury. | | Phenylmercuric nitrate | | A mercury-based compound that may cause eye irritation by breaking down into elemental mercury. | | Propylparaben | | May not be stable in high pH environments and can sometimes induce allergic reactions. | | Sodium benzoate | | Found in foods and cosmetics as well as eye drops. Not commonly found in nonprescription products. | | Sodium propionate | | Found in foods and cosmetics as well as eye drops. Not commonly found in nonprescription products. | | Sorbic acid | | Found in foods and cosmetics as well as eye drops. | | Thimerosal | | Another mercury-based compound that is not as likely to break down into elemental mercury as phenylmercuric acetate or phenylmercuric nitrate. Some people may develop contact blepharitis or conjunctivitis after prolonged use. |
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FDA-Approved Uses
Astringent
For the temporary relief of minor eye irritation.
Demulcents
For the temporary relief of burning and eye irritation due to dryness of the eye or exposure to wind or sun. Also protects against further irritation or dryness.
Proper Techniques for Using Eye Drops- Before you put any drops in your eye, check to ensure that the solution has not become cloudy or discolored.
- Wash your hands thoroughly to remove dirt and germs.
- Tilt your head backwards so that you are looking up.
- Using one hand, gently pull your lower eyelid away from the eye.
- With your other hand, place the dropper directly over your eye and look at the tip.
- Roll your eyes back and add one to two drops of solution.
- Look down for several seconds without moving your head.
- Let go of your eyelid and close your eyes for one to two minutes. Try not to blink or touch your eye during this time.
- Put a little pressure on the tear duct on the inside corner of your eye (by your nose).
- Blot excess fluid from your eye. Do not wipe or rub as this can further irritate your eyes.
- Repeat for your other eye if necessary.
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Warnings
Consult a physician before use or do not use if you have:- Eye disease, damage, or infection
Or if you:- Use on a child under age 12
- Use as an eye wash to moisten your eyes
- Use for more than 3 days
- Experience eye irritation, blurred vision, or dilation of pupils
- Think the product looks contaminated or you suspect that the product is contaminated
Side Effects
Some rare side effects include:- Blurred vision
- Dilated pupils
- Eye irritation
Artificial Tears Are Not Food
Artificial tears are for external use only. If swallowed, immediately seek medical attention.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Government Sources
- 1. Food & Drug Administration. Federal Register 3/4/88.
- 2. Food & Drug Administration. Federal Register 12/18/92.
Books
- 1. Covington, TR et al. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs, Eleventh Ed. American Pharmaceutical Assoc. Washington, DC 1996.
- 2. Kastrup EK et al. Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts and Comparisons.
- 3. Inlander, CB and Slamans, S.The Over-the-Conter Doctor. Cader Books. New York, NY 1997.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
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