Experiencing dry eyes? Reaching for eye drops? Stop! Check the expiration date first!
Yes, eye drops can expire, and the expiration date actually matters. Using expired drops can do more harm than good.
Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to look for and don’t make a dangerous mistake.
There’s a lot of unclear information available about using eye drops for contact lenses. Getting it right can be the difference between clear vision and comfort or dry, itchy eyes. No one wants the latter, so I’m here to ensure you walk away from this article confident in your contact lens maintenance routine.
Dry eyes are such a pain! If you’re like me, you wake up with stinging eyes. A trip to the bathroom to douse water over them doesn’t work. Sometimes, water makes the condition feel worse. Even after a good night’s sleep, your eyes feel tired. You are sensitive to light. And you may also feel some itchiness and a sandy feeling in your eyes.
These are just some symptoms of dry eyes and dry eye syndrome, a condition affecting up to 34% of the population and up to 70% of older people.
Despite these staggering statistics, many people choose to ignore their dry eyes. Or, they don’t book an appointment with their eye doctor to get a proper diagnosis and prescription. It is tempting to self-diagnose and just choose from the many over-the-counter eye drops for dry eyes. But do you know which ones to choose? And do they really work?
“Get the red out” eye drops are often advertised as a quick, easy solution for red, irritated eyes. These red eye drops are popular, cheap, and readily available.
Who hasn’t picked up one of these at the drugstore for a recurring red eye? But are they safe for long-term use?
While these products can temporarily reduce redness, they often contain ingredients called vasoconstrictors that constrict blood vessels to alleviate redness for a short time. Unfortunately, chronic use of these red eye drops can lead to long-term eye health issues, including “rebound redness,” worsening dryness, and even more serious eye conditions.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could improve your cosmetic appearance with an eye drop?
Forget surgery or hours spent having false eyelashes applied, and the added risk of an eye infection or dry eye. Several topical glaucoma eyedrops have been repurposed to improve the appearance of the eye or the structures around the eye.
But is it safe? Let’s review the safety profile, potential side effects, and what to expect.
