2017 HCHB_digital

CONTINUING OTC EDUCATION
Type Symptoms Advice for customers Treatment options
MINOR EYE
IRRITATIONS
RED EYES
DRY EYES
BLEPHARITIS
STYES
PF = Preservative-free
Symptoms are red, sore, watering eyes, with
or without itch.
Causes are numerous, including allergies,
late nights (“party eyes”), wind, dust,
smoke, air conditioning, air pollution,
chemicals, sunlamps, glare (snow, sand,
sun, sea), staring at a computer.
A patch of bright red in the whites
of the eye is called a subconjunctival
haemorrhage. It usually causes no pain and
is self-limiting, clearing in about one week.
Symptoms are dry and gritty eyes (feels like
sand in the eye). Caused by an imbalance
in the tear film that lubricates the eye
between blinks so may also cause eyes
to water as tear film now ineffective for
lubrication. Eyes may look slightly pink or
have a fine crusting on the lids. Contact
lenses may not sit properly on the eye.
Caused by ageing, contact lens wear,
hormone fluctuations (eg, with menopause,
oral contraceptive use, pregnancy), medical
conditions (eg, rheumatoid arthritis),
irritants (eg, smoke, dust, wind), surgery,
trauma, and certain medicines (eg, diuretics,
antihistamines, decongestants and tricyclic
antidepressants).
Symptoms include inflammation of the
eyelids, with crusting or scales at lid
margins.
The eyelids are usually red, thickened,
burning, sore and feel itchy, and may be
stuck together in the mornings.
There may be photophobia (sensitivity to
light).
The condition is often chronic and tends to
be associated with dandruff and/or dry eye.
A stye is an infected gland at the base of
an eyelash. Symptoms include a localised
painful, swelling in the upper or lower
edge of the eyelid, which is sensitive to
touch. The eyes may water and be sensitive
to light. A person with a stye may report
feeling as if they have a foreign body in the
eye. Most styes resolve spontaneously.
Allergy is a common cause of red eye (see
allergic conjunctivitis previous page).
Avoid the cause if possible.
Eye drops containing decongestants should
not be used for more than three days, to
avoid rebound congestion in the eyes.
Treat cause if possible and keep wellhydrated.
Damage to the eyes can occur if
left untreated for too long, as the cornea can
easily get scratched.
Protect eyes from the wind and wear
sunglasses when outside. Use an eye wash
to soothe sore, irritated and tired eyes. Use
lubricant eye drops (artificial tears) during
day and lubricant eye ointment at night.
Throw multi-use eye drops away one month
after opening unless otherwise stated.
Consider using preservative-free eye drops
long term as sensitivities can develop with
regular use of preservative-containing drops.
Daily eyelid hygiene is important for control.
Baby shampoo (not soap) may be used to
make an effective eyelid wash solution. Put
about half a teaspoon of baby shampoo
into a bowl of hot, not boiling, water. Wet a
clean cloth with the solution. Place the cloth
over the eyes as a compress for two minutes.
Clean around the eyelashes gently, using a
cotton bud dipped in the hot baby shampoo
solution. Undertake this treatment twice
a day, then less often as the blepharitis
settles. Rinse the cloth first in nappy wash
solution and then fresh water before use to
avoid bacterial contamination of the cloth.
Treat any dandruff (see Dandruff).
Most styes resolve themselves when they
rupture and pus is released.
Warm-to-hot (but NOT boiling) compresses,
using a clean cloth applied three to six times
daily, can hasten the “pointing” of the stye.
Avoid touching the stye, or squeezing it, or
using make-up near it.
Treat minor eye irritations with lubricants or decongestant eye drops.
Lubricant eye drops/eye spray
[GENERAL SALE]
eg, Celluvisc (PF) , Clear Eyes Eye Mist Spray (PF) , GenTeal (PF , Hylo-
Fresh (PF , Optrex ActiMist 2 in 1 for Dry & irritated Eyes, Optrex
Actimist 2 in1 Itchy & Watery Eye Spray, Refresh Plus (PF) , Systane
Decongestant eye drops
[PHARMACY ONLY MEDICINE]
eg, Albalon A Allergy (with antihistamine), Albalon Relief (PF) ,
Albalon, Clear Eyes, Clear Eyes Allergy, Optrex Red Eyes Eye
Drops*, Visine Clear, Visine Advanced
Eye wash
[GENERAL SALE]
eg, Optrex Eye Wash with Eye Bath
Lubricant eye products do not cure dry eyes but mimic the
effect of natural tears so can relieve the symptoms. Regular eye
washes may help improve symptoms.
Eye wash
[GENERAL SALE]
eg, Optrex Eye Wash with Eye Bath*
Lubricant eye drops/eye spray
[GENERAL SALE]
eg, Celluvisc Drops (PF) , Clear Eyes-D, Clear Eyes Eye Mist Spray
(PF)
, Hylo-Fresh* (PF) , GenTeal (PF) , Optive, Optrex Actimist 2 in1
Dry & Irritated Eye Spray, Optrex Actimist 2 in1 Itchy & Watery
Eye Spray, Optrex Actimist 2 in1 Tired & Uncomfortable Eye
Spray, Optrex Sore Eyes*, Refresh Plus (PF) , Refresh Tears Plus,
Refresh Liquigel, Systane
[GENERAL SALE]
eg, lubricant eye ointment (Refresh Night Time Eye Ointment (PF) ,
Viscotears Gel)
These may temporarily blur vision after instillation.
Blepharitis is not curable but daily lid hygiene can help control
the symptoms. Lubricating eye drops also help to supplement the
inadequate natural tear film. Antibiotic drops are only required if
the blepharitis is not kept under control with lid hygiene.
Lubricant eye drops
[GENERAL SALE]
eg, Celluvisc Drops (PF) , Clear Eyes Eye Mist Spray (PF) , GenTeal (PF
, Optive, Optrex ActiMist 2 in 1 for Dry & irritated Eyes, Refresh
Plus (PF) , Refresh Tears Plus, Refresh Liquigel, Systane
Antibacterial eye drops
[PHARMACY ONLY MEDICINE]
eg, propamidine isethionate (Brolene Eye Drops)
Consider using single-use wipes to keep eyes clean. Topical
antibacterial/antibiotic drops may prevent secondary infection
occurring when the stye ruptures, but are usually not necessary.
Hypoallergenic pH-balanced wipes eg, Clear Eyes Wipes, Fess
Little Eyes Wipes
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