WHAT EYE DROPS WORK THE BEST FOR DRY EYES?

Although many new therapies have been developed to help treat Dry Eye Disease, eye drops are still one of the fundamental treatments we recommend for most types of dry eye. If you look at the eye products display in a typical pharmacy, you’ll see dozens of different options, all claiming to help with symptoms of dry eyes. Which one do you choose?

Step One – get the right diagnosis

There are nine different types of Dry Eye Disease and a multitude of contributing factors. An eye doctorwith special training and an interest in managing dry eyes can determine your specific diagnosis and prescribe the correct therapy that will not only alleviate your symptoms, but effectively treat the disease. At MVO we have three optometrists who have these qualifications – give us a call to book an appointment for an advanced dry eye workup, and get started on the right path to dry eye relief.

Step Two – stay preservative-free

Inflammation is a key component of Dry Eye Disease. The last thing we want to do is aggravate that inflammation within your eyes by asking you to use ingredients that may be toxic. For this reason, all eye drops we prescribe are free of preservatives.

Step Three – look for key therapeutic ingredients

Quality eye drops will have components specifically chosen for their therapeutic activity. Here are a few common ones in the drops our Dry Eye docs frequently prescribe:

• Hyaluronic Acid – helps keeps your eyes moist by enabling the drop to mix well with your tears
• Trehalose – derived from a desert plant, this helps protect the sensitive surface of the eye and reduce inflammation
• Carbomer 980 – helps retain the moisture on the eye’s surface
• Glycerol – present in drops or gels for more severe cases, glycerol is a more powerful anti-evaporation agent

There are also prescription medications that can be made in eye drop format. Some are actually made right from your own blood! This gives the most natural and effective treatment for people with certain forms of severe dry eye disease.

Not every type of dry eye drop is appropriate for everyone, and some may actually worsen your underlying issue. Come in and speak to one of our optometrists at your next visit for the best advice about managing your dry eye condition.

Reference: https://mydryeye.ca/what-are-the-best-eye-drops-for-dry-eyes/