All About Eyedrops
The fact that you can buy eye drops from a chemist without the requirement for prescription can lead to much confusion and misuse of eye drops, with increased importance placed on how, when and why they should be used.
When Would You Need Eye Drops?
Eye drops in all forms can help alleviate symptoms of a variety of eye complaints including dryness, redness and certain allergies relating to certain pets or dust for example. It is important to decipher exactly which types of drops are required for a specified eye problem or infection, while preservative free eye drops available over the counter can remove any potential problems with allergies to certain ingredients, which only causes further problems.
Unless the condition is severe, short-term dry eyes are probably the most likely reason to purchase eye drops not requiring eye doctor intervention. Many people experience dry eyes for short periods during their lives so naturally a lubrication that mimics tear drops could help to relieve dryness arising from extensive use of modern devices such as TV’s or computers during long office work hours.
It is vital not to purchased decongestant eye drops for dryness as these actually treat the symptoms of red eye, due to shrinking visible blood vessels, actually leading to further dryness!
How to use Eye Drops
It is important to ask a pharmacist for details of use when purchasing eye drops for the first time, but there are some general guidelines which can be adhered to for general safe use of eye drops, including:
• Washing your hands prior to use
• Tilt your head backwards before pulling down the bottom eyelid
• Only one drop should be lightly squeezed in the pocket of the lower eye initially
• Avoid contact with the eye and the provided dropper
• The eye should remain closed after using the drops to ensure full retention of fluid
• Repeat the process for the remaining eye if required, wiping away and excess fluid which drops from the eye
The drops should be kept in a dry and dark place, with a kitchen cupboard likely to be the ideal storage point, while it is also important that the tip of the dropper being used never comes in contact with any debris or unwashed fingers, risking further eye infection.
Many people may use eye drops again during a period of recurring problems, but this can lead to a contaminated bottle if opened for more than about a month, so if in doubt buy a new bottle and make sure any inquisitive children cannot reach the eye drop products.
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