2023-06-30 06:59:00
If there are problems with the eyes, those affected usually first go to the pharmacy. Symptoms such as burning, itching or dryness are often described. In practice, it is important to be able to distinguish between different symptoms in order to recommend the right eye drops. Especially in times of allergy, it is important to be able to differentiate dry eyes from allergic symptoms.
Allergy or Dry Eye?
In the case of an allergy, the eye problems are often accompanied by massive redness and itching, while dry eyes often lead to a foreign body sensation and a burning sensation. Those affected often describe the symptoms as a grinding wheel in the eye. Sometimes both symptoms can occur at the same time and intensify the respective symptoms. In the case of allergic symptoms, other typical symptoms such as a cold, a runny or blocked nose or shortness of breath often occur. Other eye problems that can be treated with self-medication include slight irritation or inflammation.
In memory of: The tear film consists of three layers. The outer is fatty, the middle is watery, and the innermost is mucous. As long as all three layers are intact and in balance, the eye is healthy. However, if a proportion is missing, dry eyes can develop. For example, when the fatty layer is missing and the liquid in the aqueous layer underneath evaporates faster.
MDO or EDO?
Depending on the indication, suitable eye drops can be recommended to moisten or relieve symptoms. However, there are often different dosage forms to choose from: in addition to multi-dose containers (MDO), single-dose pipettes (EDO) are also available. The latter have the advantage that they are preservative-free. In the meantime, however, MDOs without preservatives are also on the market.
Many patients are sensitive to these additives – especially if the eye is already irritated.It is therefore best to avoid using preparations containing preservatives. Because these can also lead to further drying out by reducing the tear film. In addition, wearers of soft contact lenses can suffer irreversible discoloration of their visual aids from benzalkonium chloride.
Whether MDOs or EDOs are selected depends above all on the preferences of the user: EDOs are particularly practical for on the go, MDOs are larger overall and therefore often easier to handle, especially for older people. If the eye drops have to be used several times a day, MDOs are a good idea, as the bottle is then used up quickly and not so many individual ampoules have to be used. If the drops are only used seldom, EDOs are often more worthwhile, since the unused pipettes have a longer shelf life.
EDOs should be consumed within 24 hours of opening. A new ampoule must then be opened due to the lack of sterility. With the MDOs, the use-by periods following opening are very different. Therefore, you should always take a look at the outer carton or the package leaflet and note the date of first use.
The correct use of eye drops
Problems can arise, especially when eye drops are used for the first time. Many customers shy away from using it on their eyes or find it uncomfortable at first. However, with a little practice, using it will quickly become routine.
It is important that the bottle never comes into contact with the eye, but is always dripped “out of the air”. This is the only way for the eye drops to remain sterile in their container and prevent contamination of the container. In addition, putting the bottle on or in the eye can cause injuries.
Eye drops should always be dripped into the conjunctival sac. To do this, the respective lower lid of the eye is pulled down slightly. The drops can then ideally land in the conjunctival sac and be distributed over the entire eye by blinking. To avoid blinking during use, look up so as not to see the falling drop directly. If different eye drops are used, a drop interval of at least 15 minutes should be maintained between the individual preparations.
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