Surprising Benefits Of Eye Drops
Our eyes are a beautiful, amazing and powerful part of our body, yet they are very sensitive and prone to a wide range of irritants, injuries, infections and visual problems. Some eye related diseases like cataracts and glaucoma, if left untreated, can lead to blindness.
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That’s where medicated eye drops come into play. There are so many kinds available on the market for a large variety of symptoms, conditions and infections, such as dry eye, conjunctivitis (pink eye), allergies, surface eye scratches, etc. But medicated eye drops can also have some other great and not commonly known benefits, which will be listed below. But before buying over-the-counter eye drops, it’s of vital importance to first know if the ingredients are suitable for you, how to properly use and store them, as well as identifying the signs of a tainted and unsafe product.
Important Things To Know
Eye drops usually have saline as a base ingredient. Saline can keep your eyes better protected by providing it with vital wetness and get rid of redness, also known as “bloodshot” eyes. Many eye drops contain some form of medication to help fight off specific ailments, infections and conditions, such as the ones mentioned above, but most of these require a doctor’s prescription first in order to obtain it.
When you’re shopping for eye drops, always check the packaging first. If it looks unsealed, broken or tampered with in any way, it might be tainted, so do not buy it. Find another one that is sealed and packaged properly. Then, read the label carefully to make sure there’s nothing in it that your allergic to. If you find an ingredient in an over-the-counter eye drops that you are not familiar with or just unsure of, do not buy it. Consult with your doctor first to see if it is indeed safe for you.
If the product you chose is suitable for you, always read and follow the instructions written on the box or leaflet before using it. It’s also important to remember that all eye drops have an expiration date and must be kept in the fridge after opening. It’s safest and best not to use it if it’s past the expiration date.
Listed below are some surprising benefits of eye drops.
Glaucoma Treatment
This condition is characterized by increased fluid pressure inside your eyes. It can cause serious optic nerve damage and vision loss if you don’t treat it. In it’s early stages, eye drops can reduce the amount of fluid production and help more liquid drain from your eyes to minimize the pressure. They may also prevent some people from developing glaucoma altogether.
If you have glaucoma, never use eye drops that contain vasoconstrictors, which are decongestants that make blood vessels in your eye smaller. That will only exacerbate the eye pressure further.
Eye Infection (Herpes Simplex) Treatment
Early signs of this virus may include a painful sore on your eye surface or eyelid, and an inflamed cornea. Prompt treatment with antiviral eye drops or gel can help speed up recovery and prevent damage to the eyes.
Like many other kinds of viral and bacterial infections, eye herpes is extremely contagious. So, if you have eye herpes or any other version of herpes, avoid physical contact with everyone until it clears up and you know you’re no longer infectious.
Infected Cornea Treatment
Contact lenses can lead to bacterial or parasitic infections if they are used for too long. Others don’t replace or clean the lenses, solutions, and cases as prescribed. It can also happen if you leave them in while you swim. You’ll probably get antibacterial eye drops for a minor problem. For a more severe infection, however, you might need fortified antibiotic drops or more extensive treatments, maybe even surgery.
If surgery is required, also known as corneal transplant surgery, you’ll get drops after this operation, in which the doctor replaces your diseased or scarred cornea with a healthy and clear one (usually from an eye bank). The drops help with post- surgery healing and prevent scarring and rejection of the donor tissue.
Post Cataract Surgery Treatment
Before this operation, your eye doctor will administer eye drops to make your pupil larger and numb the area. After the doctor removes your cloudy lens and replaces it with a man-made model, these eye drops will also lower the chances of infection and help your eyes heal properly.
Nearsightedness In Children (Myopia)
Although it is not yet 100% proven and conclusive, there is growing evidence being found by professionals and clinical studies, that the use of atropine or dilute atropine drops in children showing signs and symptoms of nearsightedness, can slow down the progression of their nearsightedness and improve their overall vision.
Final Thoughts
When using eye drops, especially to treat an eye infection, avoid letting the tip of the dropper touch any part of your eye. If it does, make sure to disinfect it right away with alcohol before using it on either eye. Follow this habit even if you currently aren’t aware of any infection, because you might have something that is yet to become obvious.
If you find an ingredient you are not familiar with or are concerned that it might cause an allergic reaction, do not buy it. Always consult with your doctor first to see if it is indeed safe for you.
