All about eyes

The Red Centre of Australia is a “must see” for all Australians; and for tourists no visit to Australia is really complete without a view of Alice Springs, Uluru and the surrounding natural wonders of the Northern Territory.

Nevertheless, if you are planning a journey to the dry inland of the driest continent, it might be worth a detour first to the red eye centre of a pharmacy.

Red eye is one of the commonest problems about which pharmacists are consulted and dry eye is one of the most likely causes of red eye. However, red eye can also be an indicator of infection or allergy. So if your eyes are already red where they should be white, or you want to stop the red eye condition occurring, call in to a pharmacy for some good advice.

Sometimes dry eye is just a natural part of growing older – it is common in people over the age of 50, particularly in women after menopause; but our lifestyle, occupation and surroundings can also cause dry eye. Of course, it is not just dry, windy weather that makes the eyes dry. You do not have to trek across the Simpson Desert and you do not even have to go outside to experience the problem. Air conditioning and heating in offices and homes will lead to dry eye as well, and air pollutants such as cigarette smoke are a significant factor.

Dry eye symptoms can include burning, itching, stinging, soreness, grittiness, sensitivity to light and the feeling that “there is something in the eye”.

Tears, which are part of the eye’s natural defence mechanism, are not simply water. They are made up of several components which nourish and protect the eyes. So although the eyes become “watery” in association with a dry eye condition, this fluid may not provide sufficient lubrication or nourishment to the surface of the eye.

To avoid the problem avoid the cause. That’s simple enough, but not always so easy to do. Smoke-filled rooms, late nights, long hours of study or looking at computers or TV screens may be very much part of our lifestyle, and we can’t avoid getting older.

As well, it is interesting to note that some medicines have the potential to cause dry eye; medicines such as those used to treat high  blood pressure, anti-depressants, anti-histamines and sedatives.

People showing any of the symptoms of dry eye should consider the regular use of lubricating eye drops. Remember though, not all eye drops are suitable for treating dry eye; so check at the pharmacy for the most appropriate product. Tear replacement products can be used as often as necessary; and for occasional use, when the eyes are red, moisturising drops with a decongestant are preferred .Eye drops should be discarded one month after opening to prevent contamination; but if you need drops only now and again, products which come as a box of single-use vials of artificial tears are the ideal alternative. One vial is used when required and the remainder stored for later use. These drops and others are also suitable for contact lens wearers.

In this sun-drenched country of ours, just as we protect our skin from dryness, so we should also protect our eyes. Eye problems and solutions are all outlined in the new Self Care fact cards called Dry Eyes and Red Eyes now available at our pharmacies.