WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Those of older age Contact lens wearers People who work in specific environments (e.g. job roles with prolonged eye strain) In those with some medical conditions (e.g. Sjögren's syndrome), or on specific medications (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants)
Ask your friendly pharmacist to learn more about possible causes of drug-induced dry eyes!
DID YOU KNOW?
Not all remedies for dry eyes work the same way in relieving dry eyes.
Read on to find out the differences!
Y EYE
S
R
D
Dry eyes occur when tears produced are unable to provide sufficient lubrication for the eyes.
WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS? Red, irritated eyes Persistent blurry vision Sensation of foreign body in the eye Watery eyes
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR? Seek medical advice if: There are visual changes There is eye pain There are signs of infection (e.g. eye discharge or pus) There is/was an eye injury SELF-MANAGEMENT:
HOW
Lifestyle adjustments, such as reducing prolonged use of contact lenses Over-the-counter lubricant eye drops or ointments
SELF-MANAGEMENT:
Y EYE
S
R
D
Speak to a pharmacist to find out if any particular dry eye remedy may be better suited for you!
EYE DROPS
There are several types of over-the-counter eye drops and eye gels to moisturise dry eyes Artificial tears, being the most common lubricant, work by mimicking real tears In general, they are made up of ingredients such as lubricants, electrolytes, humectants These ingredients may vary in composition Certain eye products containing preservatives may not be suitable for contact lens wearers or those with sensitive eyes SELF-MANAGEMENT:
SUPPLEMENTS
In general, some nutrients essential for healthy vision can be obtained from dietary sources. Some examples are Vitamins A, B12, zinc and Omega-3 These may be found naturally in food, like carrots, oily fish, eggs and meat. One may also incorporate supplements for eye health to increase their intake of the nutrients Clinicians may also recommend supplements for eye health to people with conditions like age-related macular degeneration Brought to you by: Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Pharmacy