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Frequently Asked Questions:
What's the difference between all the different eye drop products I see in the eye care aisle?
Are there different types of artificial tear products? If so, what are they?
What if I need more help than retail products can provide?
What are some tips on preventing or minimizing Dry Eye symptoms?
How are Dry Eye symptoms treated?
Dry Eye Resources
What's the difference between all the different eye drop products I see in the eye care aisle?
There are three different kinds of eye drop product. Each is designed for a specific purpose:
Artificial Tears
- Designed to treat Dry Eye symptoms by providing moisture, surface wetting, and comfort to people who suffer from scratchy, dry and gritty-feeling eyes
- Artificial tear products such as Refresh promote the overall health of the ocular surface by helping to create an optimal ocular environment that discourages irritants
Decongestants
- Product used to reduce the red appearance eyes may display when irritated
- Works by constricting the blood vessels within the eyes
- Decongestants function more as a cosmetic "quick fix" for red eyes and may make dry eye symptoms worse
Contact Lens Rewetting Solutions
- Designed to relieve dryness and irritation that can occur during contact lens wear
- Some rewetters (like Refresh Contacts) contain a moisturizing lubricant that helps the eyes and lenses remain moist and comfortable
Are there different types of artificial tear products? If so, what are they?
There are 3 different types of artificial tears products. They are
Preserved Artificial Tears
- A common treatment for dry eye symptoms
- Provide moisture, surface wetting, and comfort for people who suffer from dry eye symptoms
- Generally come in a multi-dose bottle
Preservative Free Artificial Tears
- Recommended by Doctors post surgery
- Also beneficial for people with sensitive eyes
- Generally come in single use vials
Thicker Artificial Tears and Ointments
- May be preferred for nighttime use
Click here to view the full range of Refresh products and find out which ones are right for you.
For more information on eye health, visit the Dry Eye Resources page.
What if I need more help than retail products can provide?
If Dry Eye symptoms persist and retail eye care products aren't enough, you may be suffering from an advanced condition known as Chronic Dry Eye and may need to seek out a prescription eye drop such as RESTASIS® Cyclosporin Ophthalmic Emulsion 0.05%. It is the only prescription eye drop for treating Chronic Dry Eye that helps your eyes increase their own tear production with continued use.
Ask your doctor for more information or visit www.restasis.com.
Click here for disclaimer.
What are some tips on preventing or minimizing Dry Eye symptoms?
- Avoid drafts from heating or air conditioning vents, especially in cars and airplanes.
- Take frequent breaks to relieve eye strain during periods of prolonged computer use.
- Remove your contact lenses and keep them especially clean when your eyes are feeling dry.
- After LASIK surgery, use Refresh® Brand eye drops to soothe and comfort your dry eyes during recovery. Visit the LASIK page for more information
- Be aware that certain over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs can contribute to dry eye symptoms.
- Use a humidifier at home and in your workplace.
- If you have had refractive surgery, artificial tears should be used following doctor's instructions.
How are Dry Eye symptoms treated?
- If you suspect you have dry eye symptoms, see your doctor. He or she can determine which treatment is appropriate for you. Depending on the severity of your condition, tear replacement is the most commonly recommended therapy-this involves the use of lubricant eye drops. The primary goal of treatment is to keep the eye moist and comfortable and to protect the eye's delicate surface.
- In addition to making changes to your environment, you may want to also use REFRESH® Brand artificial tears to ease your symptoms.
- You should also try to eliminate the factors that exacerbate or contribute to dry eye:
- Schedule regular breaks from reading, television viewing, and computer use.
- Contributing eye abnormalities (such as blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids) should be treated.
- Try to avoid excessive heat, air conditioning, and low humidity - they can aggravate dry eye symptoms as can being close to air conditioning ducts or heating vents.
- Lower your computer screen so that you are looking down at it. This may decrease some of the discomfort that is often associated with prolonged computer use.
- Avoid or eliminate those elements that are known to cause or aggravate dry eye symptoms. You may want to review the What Causes Dry Eye? section of this Web site.
- The use of antihistamines or diuretics should be decreased as much as possible. However, it is important that you talk to your doctor before adjusting the dosage of or stopping any medications.
- If symptoms persist over time and/or you use artificial tears 3 or more times per day, talk to your eye doctor. You may have chronic dry eye.
Dry Eye Resources
The links noted below are for reference only. Allergan is not responsible for the content on these third party websites and does not ensure the validity of the information within these websites.
Health/Ophthalmic-Oriented Sites
- Allergan
- The American Academy of Ophthalmology
- The American Academy of Optometry
- National Eye Institute
- National Women's Health Resources Center
- North American Menopause Society
- Prevent Blindness America
Related Disease Sites
- American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association
- American College of Rheumatology
- American Thyroid Association
- Arthritis Foundation
- Lupus Foundation of America
- Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation