Prescription vs Over-the-Counter: Finding the Right Dry Eye Medication for You
Dry eyes could either be a chronic or temporary condition.
In this condition, the eyes cannot produce enough tears.
This may be due to spontaneous tear evaporation.
Inflammation in and around the eyes could be another reason.
Patients with occasional or mild dry eye symptoms may use non-prescription eye drops regularly.
These types of eye drops are also called artificial tears.
Doctors may recommend specific medicines if your symptoms get severe and persistent.
Dry eye medication will rely on the factors affecting it.
Conditions, including skin diseases near the eyes, allergies, and eye glands, can all contribute to dry eye.
Yet the prevalence of dry eye may be even greater than these official numbers.
How To Treat Dry eyes
There are various ways to treat this condition.
Your healthcare provider will guide you through the possibilities of treating this condition.
They can suggest medications or natural remedies for dry eyes that you can do from the comfort of your house.
This way, you can reduce the symptoms and treat the condition.
Here we have discussed some dry eye medications. Continue reading to find out more about the treatments for dry eyes.
Types of Treatments
There are several procedures and medications available to treat chronic dry eye.
Some treatments focus on managing or reversing a condition responsible for your dry eyes.
In some cases, an external factor or underlying condition may lead to dry eyes.
So make sure to consult your doctor and decide the preferable treatment per your condition’s severity.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
OTC eye drops are among the most popular ways to treat dry eye.
These over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are also called artificial tears.
Preservative-based eye drops stay long on the shelf.
Whereas non-prescriptive dry eye medication comes in several disposable vials.
These medications are used once and thrown away.
Artificial tears moisten your eyes.
Artificial tears may be all you need If you have moderate dry eye symptoms.
But you may have to apply them several times a day.
Doctors may recommend ointments, but those have a tendency to make vision cloudy.
They coat the eyes better than eye drops.
So it is recommended to use these ointments before bedtime.
Avoid using dry eye medications that claim to reduce redness.
Those may end up irritating your eyes by constricting the blood vessels.
Prescription medications
Your prescribed medications could either be used as oral intake or eye drops.
Most medications reduce the inflammation of your eyelids.
If your eyelids are swollen, they prevent the oil from mixing with the tears.
In the absence of oil, tears evaporate too quickly.
Specific antibiotics might stimulate oil production in the glands around the eyes.
If your dry eye is caused due to inflammation, doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory antibiotics.
Cyclosporine (Restasis) is one such antibiotic.
It is also used to treat patients with Psoriasis and Rheumatoid arthritis.
This drug suppresses the immune system.
Thereby restricting the body from hurting itself.
Lifitegrast (Xiidra) is another prescription medication.
It is highly recommended and approved explicitly as chronic dry eye medication.
Eye inserts
When OTC tear drops don’t work, eye inserts are an option.
These small, clear tubes of medications resemble rice grains.
Their usage is similar compared to that of contacts.
Consult your doctor before using these eye inserts.
The space between the lower eyelid and eyeball is where you place the inserts.
Medicine is released throughout the day.
This is to keep your eyes moist.
Natural treatments
Several natural treatments can help you treat chronic dry eye.
These include –
- A wet, warm cloth. Hold it over your eyes for five minutes to reduce the symptoms of dry eyes
- You can use a mild/baby soap to massage your eyes
- Add Omega-3 as a supplement for dry eyes
- Foods like Salmon, Sardines, and flaxseed can benefit in the long run
- Incorporate vitamins for dry eyes, such as Vitamin A, C, etc. in your diet
- Castor oil as an eye drop can help reduce tear evaporation. Artificial castor oil eye drops are also available
- You can also use fish oil for your dry eyes
- Always consult your doctor before taking any natural remedy
Alternative therapies
Acupuncture and intense-pulsed light therapies are the best alternative therapies to help reduce chronic dry eye symptoms.
Acupuncture reduces inflammation and pain, improving dry eye symptoms and decreasing eye irritation.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy is also an effective treatment that reduces Acne and Rosacea symptoms.
Lifestyle changes
You can also implement lifestyle changes to improve chronic dry eye symptoms. These include:
- Stay hydrated throughout the day
- Limit exposure to secondhand smoke and avoid smoking
- Use a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air
- Wear side shield sunglasses to prevent tears from evaporating
- Frequent blinking when doing a task for long hours
Key takeaway
The dry eye medications will rely on several factors.
In case of an underlying condition, your doctor may prescribe a different medication.
It is essential to understand your comfort level.
The severity of your symptoms will also play a significant role in deciding your treatment.
It is closely associated with your healthcare provider to find the best solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
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