Artificial Tear Drops

Artificial tear drops are medicines in the form of drops used in the treatment of dry eyes to relieve the dryness felt in the eyes. Dry eyes develop because the tear-producing ducts do not function properly. Unless there is a problem that requires further treatment, dry eye is usually controlled with artificial tear drops. Although it is not difficult to use, it is important to use it correctly. By tilting the neck back and slowly stretching the lower eyelid with a clean hand, the bottle is turned upside down and the number of drops deemed appropriate by the doctor is dropped into the eye. While it may be disposable, the usage interval and amount may vary depending on the treatment. It can be used once or twice a day, with increasing frequency in cases of severe dryness. Artificial tear drops are sterile liquids and are classified according to whether they contain preservatives or not. There may be side effects such as allergic reactions, itching, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light; but these often do not require urgency. However, if you have a reaction such as eye pain, swelling, or dizziness, it is recommended that you see your doctor immediately.

What are Artificial Tear Drops?

Dry eyes may experience difficulty blinking, stinging, sensitivity to sunlight and discomfort due to insufficient moisture. Artificial tears relieve this condition and improve the person's quality of life. In addition to its relaxing effect, there are also healing types. The most suitable artificial tear drop for the person is selected and prescribed by the doctor. Artificial tear drops used in the treatment of dry eye may contain substances such as salt water, lubricant, dextran and hypromellose, depending on the density of the preparation (2). Since the scarcity of tears provides a more favorable environment for bacterial growth, artificial tear drops used in the treatment of dry eye may not be sufficient. In these cases, eye drops containing antibiotics and their derivatives can be added to the treatment (3).

How to Use Artificial Tear Drops?

The most important point to consider when using artificial tear drops is that the person pays attention to hand hygiene. Bacteria and similar microorganisms that can pass from hand to eye while using the drops may cause a more serious infection in the eye. If a person has difficulty dripping on their own, they can use a mirror. Care should be taken to apply the number of drops prescribed by the doctor for each eye. If more than one eye drop is used, it is recommended to wait for a while before using other drops.

The correct use of artificial tear drops is as follows (4):

1. Hands are washed.
< li>The artificial tear drop bottle is taken and the cap is opened.
2. The bottle is held between the thumb and other fingers with the tip facing down.
3. The neck is tilted back and the head is pushed back.
4. The eyelid is gently pulled downwards to create a small pocket between the eye and the lower eyelid.
5. The bottle is brought close to the eye.
6. Place the tip of the bottle on the eye, eyelid or Make sure that it does not touch any other area, as this may contaminate the drops.
7. Gently squeezing the bottom of the bottle turned down with the index finger will ensure that the medicine drips.
8. After use, the lower eyelid is released and applied to the inner corner of the eye.
9. If it is to be applied to both eyes, the same substances are applied to the other eye.
10. When the application is completed, the bottle cap is closed tightly.

After use, apply the inside of the eye. Pressing on the part is necessary to ensure that the artificial tear drop does not immediately drain into the body (transferring a fluid from one place to another in the body or is removed from the body) and to show its effect on the desired layer. Apart from this, it is a procedure that does not affect daily life and can be easily performed by the person himself.

What Are Artificial Tear Drops Used For?

Artificial tear drops, although they are mainly used for eye dryness, also help prevent bacterial growth and thicken the layer that protects the eye. Dry eyes are caused by the formation of dry spots on the surface of the eye due to insufficient production or rapid evaporation of tears. These points damage the tear film layer that protects the eye and dry eyes occur. This reduces the person's quality of life. It manifests itself as symptoms such as stinging, discomfort, difficulty blinking, and foreign body sensation. It may be caused by everyday reasons such as contact lenses, smoking habit, looking at the screen for a long time, or more serious reasons such as Sjögren's syndrome and inflammation of the eyelid. In this case, the artificial tear drop takes over the function that the tear film is insufficient to provide to the eye and provides the necessary lubrication. This function relaxes the patient and helps him return to his daily life.

How Are Tears Produced and What Do They Do?

Tears, as one of the basic barriers that protect the eyes, are produced in the lacrimal glands in the upper eyelids. Its combination is salt water and oil secreted from the gland on another side of the eye (meibomian gland). When the eye is blinked, the salt water produced by the lacrimal gland spreads over the surface of the eye. The oil in the secretion of the meibomian gland remains above the salt water and its function is to prevent the salt water from evaporating quickly. In case of low oil secretion of the meibomian gland, dry eyes may occur due to rapid evaporation. Tears are drained through punctums (small dot-shaped areas) on the inner side of the eyelid, two in each eye, and this production-drainage cycle continues. Blockages in the drainage system, an infection blocking your tear ducts, any disruption in the pathways described, problems that may occur in the normal production of the glands, can cause various diseases ranging from dry eyes to blood pressure.

Tears provide moisture to the eyes and prevent dryness thanks to the layers they form. Since the vascularity in the eye is limited to a certain extent, the nutrition of the cornea is provided by tears. The ease of clipping movements that you do countless times in daily life is thanks to the lubricity of tears. Tears are also one of the body's protective barriers against external factors and, when necessary, have a healing effect against microorganisms that settle in the eye. Artificial tears have a function in cases where the eye has difficulty in performing its function, so that this function is not interrupted.

Use of Artificial Tears in the Treatment of Dry Eye

The use of artificial tears is common in mild or moderate eye dryness. The main purpose is to permanently restore the lost moisture to the eye surface. Artificial tear drops are usually used twice a day (morning and evening); However, the frequency of use varies depending on the severity of dryness and whether there is an infection in the eye. The use of artificial tear drops alone may be sufficient for the treatment of moderate and severe dryness where infection is not an issue.

In cases where the tear film is not balanced and produces insufficient amounts, the use of artificial tear drops aims to fulfill these functions by replacing tears. The drops may cause temporary blurred vision after application. Waiting for a few minutes will be enough for the blurriness to pass and clear vision to be achieved.

Can Artificial Tear Drops Be Used Continuously?

Frequency of use may vary from once or twice a day to several times an hour, depending on the decision of the ophthalmologist. Criteria such as the person's dry eye level and whether they have a disease that affects the eye may change the interval in which the drops will be applied. It is necessary to avoid excessive dripping of the bottle with each use and the package insert must be read. Additionally, if other drops are to be used, the order and frequency of use should be consulted with a doctor. The desired effect is achieved not through continuous use, but through regular use in accordance with the periods determined by the doctor.

What are the possible side effects of artificial tears?

Some possible side effects of artificial tear drops, as stated in the drug leaflet and as informed by the ophthalmologist, are listed below.

• Itchy eyes
• Swelling
• Allergic reactions
• Red Eye
• Eye pain
• Stinging sensation when blinking
• Blurred vision

Reactions such as blurred vision and itching; It usually does not require any urgency and it is normal to see it for a while after using the drops. However, in cases such as persistent and increasing pain or long-term redness in the eye, you should definitely consult your ophthalmologist.