When to treat
Most dry eyes are mild, but in more severe cases it can cause permanent damage to the surface of the eye.49 That’s why it’s important to treat symptoms early to prevent any vision loss. If with lifestyle changes and treatment, your symptoms aren’t getting better, then you should speak to your ophthalmologist, pharmacist, optician or GP. They’ll then assess how severe your symptoms are and recommend the best treatment for you.
Treating dry eyes
It’s possible that changing your lifestyle may not be enough, or even possible (we can’t always avoid getting on a flight or going out in windy weather!). Since there is no cure for dry eyes, using eye drops is an effective and convenient way to manage symptoms, particularly if they are mild.50 These contain moisturising ingredients to replenish the quantity and quality of tears.
If you find eye drops don’t help or your symptoms are more severe, there are other options you can try for managing dry eyes, for example, gels and ointments are also available – they usually last longer in the eye and need to be put in less frequently but can blur the vision. Your healthcare professional will be able to recommend the best treatment for you.
Top tips
As well as eye drops, hot compresses, eyelid massages and Omega-3 supplements can also help improve symptoms of dry eyes.
Pop your eye drops on your bedside table as eyes tend to feel most dry first thing in the morning.
Eye drops and preservatives
Some dry eye drops, particularly older ones, contain preservatives to prolong the shelf life of the medication. These preservatives contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the eyes and so, in recent years, manufacturers have begun introducing preservative free eye drops. If you regularly use eye drops and they contain preservatives, it might be worth switching to a preservative free option.
Top tip
Some eye drops contain preservatives – a chemical used to prolong the shelf-life of the solution – this can sometimes cause irritation and worsen the dry eye, so look for a preservative free option.
Cationorm® is a first-of-a-kind eye drop that acts like the body’s natural tears to provide long-lasting relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of dry eyes.
Unlike traditional eye drops which may wash away quickly, Cationorm® uses ionic technology which attracts its positively charged solution to the negatively charged surface of the eye, locking in hydration for longer. Kind to even sensitive eyes, Cationorm® is preservative free and is suitable for everyday use and for contact lens wearers. Always read the label.
Try Cationorm®