subject: Eye Drops for Dry Eyes: Avoid Products With Preservatives That "Get the Red Out" [print this page] Eye Drops for Dry Eyes: Avoid Products With Preservatives That "Get the Red Out"
A lot of the eye drops that you buy at the drug store for dry eye symptoms may actually make the problem worse since the preservatives in them can actually harm your eyes.
Preservatives in many products can aggravate dry eye symptoms, and even kill corneal cells. Eye drops that promise to "get the red out" will reduce circulation in the eye, decrease production of the tear film, and worse, eventually make your eyes even drier. A study published in the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology describes how eye drops with preservatives are not the way to deal with dry eye syndrome
Since dry eye is actually a whole body issue, it is important to look at your diet and lifestyle as well as find the proper drops. Eat lots of fruits and veggies (especially leafy greens), quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, reduce stress, and get plenty of exercise. It is important to Avoid sugar and/or artificial sweeteners, Consumption of more than 11 teaspoons of sugar a day has been linked to dry eye syndrome (a single can of soda contains approximately 9 teaspoons of sugar). Sugar is hidden throughout processed and refined foods including cereals, ketchup, and salad dressings.
For more on ways to prevent dry eye syndrome and for recommendations on the best products to cope with the symptoms, please have a look at this site: http://www.naturaleyecare.com/dry_eyes_short.asp?d_num=5
In addition using high quality eye drops and considering your diet and lifestyle choices, you can also make a few other changes to improve your dry eye condition:
Use a humidifier at home and/or at work to keep the air from drying out in the winter.
Remember to blink, especially while working at the computer.
Check your medications for any side effects that may cause dry eyes.
Gently massage your upper and lower lids, a couple of times a day to stimulate the tear glands.
There are good products on the market that do not contain preservatives and that do more than address the symptoms of dry eye - they work on the cause of the condition. This page features comments by people who have found products that work for them and that are good for their eyes.
