Do you?
Some of the symptoms:
Watery eyes (believe it or not!)
Burning, stinging or itchy eyes
Tired or red eyes
Irritation from wind or smoke
Grittiness or the feeling that there's something in your eye
One in four experience the condition
When the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly (due to blocked or abnormal oil glands), dry eye syndrome can occur. The eyes can become inflamed and irritated as the eyes dry out. Too much screen time or more online meetings can cause your eyes to feel dry and tired. Air conditioning can also leave your eyes feeling dry and tired, and many contact lens wearers will say their eyes can sometimes feel dry.
Ways to prevent dry eye
There is no real cure because there are so many factors involved. However, there are a number of different strategies that may help reduce the severity of the symptoms.
- Use humidifiers near radiators or maybe turn the air conditioning down
- Take regular breaks to rest your eyes if you do a lot of computer work
- Good lid hygiene (using Blephaclean wipes, more on that below)
- Use of an eye pack to warm the eyelids to help clear any blocked oil glands along the edges of the eyelids
- Use preservative-free artificial tear drops, such as Thealoz® Duo/Thealoz® Duo Gel or Hyabak - read on to learn more.
AN END TO DISCOMFORT
Refresh your eyes with the Thea range
You will wonder why you hadn't tried drops sooner! It's such a soothing feeling - refresh your eyes with any of the uniquely formulated preservative-free solutions we offer.
Thealoz Duo
Thealoz® Duo is ideal for moderate to severe dry eye disease. Clinical studies have shown that a single drop of Thealoz® Duo improves the thickness of the tear film for at least 4 hours (6 times longer than sodium hyaluronate alone). In one study8, 62% of patients receiving Thealoz® Duo were symptom free after 84 days, with significant improvements in blurred vision, stinging and itching!2
The uniquely designed, patented, preservative-free bottle allows easy application.
Products containing preservatives can cause ocular surface toxicity, leading to inflammation and cell death. Using preservative-free eye drops supports the health of the ocular surface.
Thealoz Duo UD
Thealoz® Duo UD is the same as the fantastic drops above, but in useful Unit Dose vials. Carry these around in your bag or purse and use them as and when your eyes feel as though they need a little refresh!
Thealoz Duo is suitable for all dry eye sufferers with mild to severe symptoms. It is also suitable for all contact lens wearers for improved comfort.
Each pack of Thealoz® Duo UD contains 30 single-use unit doses. Once the vial has been opened throw away, even if there is a small amount left, do not reuse (once opened, the microbial protection of the solution cannot be guaranteed).
Thealoz Duo is suitable for all dry eye sufferers with mild to severe symptoms. It is also suitable for all contact lens wearers for improved comfort.
Each pack of Thealoz® Duo UD contains 30 single-use unit doses. Once the vial has been opened throw away, even if there is a small amount left, do not reuse (once opened, the microbial protection of the solution cannot be guaranteed).
Thealoz Duo Gel
Thealoz® Duo Gel contains trehalose 3%, sodium hyaluronate 0.15% and carbomer 0.25% in a preservative free gel formulation. It's a thicker solution that many users find great to use at bedtime.
Trehalose helps protect corneal cells from the osmotic stress of a dry eye environment, by regulating the movement of water across cell membranes,1 stabilising the lipid bilayer3 and preventing the denaturation of proteins under osmotic stress conditions
Trehalose is a clinically proven bioprotective gel indicated for treatment of moderate to severe dry eye disease, providing osmoprotection and bioprotection for cells on the corneal surface.1-6 The viscosity of the gel formulation increases residency time in the eye, making it particularly suitable for night time use, leaving your eyes less dry the next day, meaning less need for so many drops throughout the day!
Trehalose helps protect corneal cells from the osmotic stress of a dry eye environment, by regulating the movement of water across cell membranes,1 stabilising the lipid bilayer3 and preventing the denaturation of proteins under osmotic stress conditions
Trehalose is a clinically proven bioprotective gel indicated for treatment of moderate to severe dry eye disease, providing osmoprotection and bioprotection for cells on the corneal surface.1-6 The viscosity of the gel formulation increases residency time in the eye, making it particularly suitable for night time use, leaving your eyes less dry the next day, meaning less need for so many drops throughout the day!
Hyabak
Hyabak is a hypotonic solution which addresses the hyperosmolarity of the tear film in chronic dry eye and effectively reduces symptoms.9,10 Hyabak is clinically proven to relieve symptoms of dryness and grittiness, and provides long-lasting relief from eye discomfort and dryness. It is suitable for all dry eye patients including those with moderate to severe dry eye disease.9,10
Hyabak is delivered in uniquely designed, preservative-free bottle for easy application. Products containing preservatives can cause ocular surface toxicity, leading to inflammation and cell death. Using preservative-free eye drops supports the health of the ocular surface, ideal for screen users, gamers and contact lens wearers.
Hyabak is delivered in uniquely designed, preservative-free bottle for easy application. Products containing preservatives can cause ocular surface toxicity, leading to inflammation and cell death. Using preservative-free eye drops supports the health of the ocular surface, ideal for screen users, gamers and contact lens wearers.
TheaLipid
TheaLipid: Restores and protects the ocular surface and provides long-lasting relief of the symptoms of Evaporative Dry Eye.
TheaLipid is a micro emulsion technology composed of an aqueous phase and a natural lipid phase with a micellar structure to encourage the tears to spread smoothly over the surface of the eye.
TheaLipid is a micro emulsion technology composed of an aqueous phase and a natural lipid phase with a micellar structure to encourage the tears to spread smoothly over the surface of the eye.
Zaspray
Zaspray is a 3 in 1 solution designed to deliver long-lasting symptom relief from itchy, dry eyes caused by allergy, plus it's a great alternative for patients who struggle using drops. This easy to use spray is 100% preservative free and helps to restore tear film stability, keeping the eyes surface hydrated and lubricated. Zaspray® is a medical device, CE mark Class IIa that delivers a pleasant, fine mist in a precise measured dose using the innovative Aptar® bottle technology.
Zaspray formula contains a specific component, 4.5% Per-Lip® complex (4% liposomes: 0.5% perilla) & 0.2% Hyaluronic Acid. The combined action of Per-Lip® complex (liposomes + perilla) and hyaluronic acid helps to restore and improve the tear film stability, keeping the eye surface more hydrated and lubricated.
Zaspray formula contains a specific component, 4.5% Per-Lip® complex (4% liposomes: 0.5% perilla) & 0.2% Hyaluronic Acid. The combined action of Per-Lip® complex (liposomes + perilla) and hyaluronic acid helps to restore and improve the tear film stability, keeping the eye surface more hydrated and lubricated.
To summarise...
Some of the common symptoms of dry eye may include:
- Excessive watering
- Burning, stinging or itching
- Dryness
- Grittiness or the feeling that there's something in your eye
- Tired or red eyes
- Irritation from wind or smoke
Dry eye can be caused by a wide variety of everyday factors and may include:
- The dry environment caused by central heating and air conditioning
- Not blinking enough with concentrated tasks such as watching TV, computer use and driving
- Blepharitis (inflamation of the eyelids)
- General health problems such as arthritis
- Some medications may make your mouth dry and will probably also have a drying effect on your eyes
- Any eye drops which contain preservatives may reduce the effectiveness of your own tears. This is why all of our products are preservative-free
- Getting older! Unfortunately none of us can stop this from happening, but our tear quality and quantity changes as we get older
There is no real cure because there are so many factors involved. However, there are a number of different strategies that may help reduce the severity of the symptoms.
- Use humidifiers near radiators or maybe turn the air conditioning down
- Take regular breaks to rest your eyes if you do a lot of computer work
- Good lid hygiene (using Blephaclean wipes, see below)
- Using an eye bag to warm the eyelids to help clear any blocked oil glands along the edges of the eyelids (stocked at all Barracloughs stores)
- Use preservative-free artificial tear drops, such as Hyabak or Thealoz Duo mentioned above
Eyelid inflammation
Eyelid inflammation is commonly associated with dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction.11
To control and ease the symptoms, we recommend Blephaclean wipes.
To control and ease the symptoms, we recommend Blephaclean wipes.
Blephaclean
Blephaclean wipes are clinically proven to reduce symptoms of blepharitis;12 after 21 days of twice-daily use, patient OSDI scores were reduced to ‘asymptomatic’ in 55% of patients, with significant overall improvements in ocular comfort (p<0.001).12
Blephaclean wipes improved ocular symptoms, with patients reporting less crusting around the eyelashes, redness around lid margins, heavy or puffy eyelids and eyelids stuck together in the mornings.12
Blepharitis is a key cause of cataract operation cancellations.13 Providing pre-operative cataract patients with lid hygiene advice resulted in a 58% reduction (p=0.03) in cancellation rates. Microbial load on the eyelid was significantly reduced after using Blephaclean for 3 days compared to placebo.14
Blephaclean wipes improved ocular symptoms, with patients reporting less crusting around the eyelashes, redness around lid margins, heavy or puffy eyelids and eyelids stuck together in the mornings.12
Blepharitis is a key cause of cataract operation cancellations.13 Providing pre-operative cataract patients with lid hygiene advice resulted in a 58% reduction (p=0.03) in cancellation rates. Microbial load on the eyelid was significantly reduced after using Blephaclean for 3 days compared to placebo.14
1. Yancey PH. J Exp Biol 2005;208 (pt15):2819-30.
2. Chiambaretta F et al. Eur J Ophthalmol 2017;27(1):1-9.
3. Luycux J, Baudoin C. Clin Ophthalmol 2011;5:577-581.
4. Jain NK et al. Protein Sci 2009;18:24-36.
5. TFOS DEWS II Report. Ocul Surf 2017;580-635.
6. Uchida et al. J Toxicol Pathol 2014;27:153-158.
7. Zhang et al. Autophagy 2014;10(4):588-602.
2. Chiambaretta F et al. Eur J Ophthalmol 2017;27(1):1-9.
3. Luycux J, Baudoin C. Clin Ophthalmol 2011;5:577-581.
4. Jain NK et al. Protein Sci 2009;18:24-36.
5. TFOS DEWS II Report. Ocul Surf 2017;580-635.
6. Uchida et al. J Toxicol Pathol 2014;27:153-158.
7. Zhang et al. Autophagy 2014;10(4):588-602.
8. Schmidl D et al. Cornea 2015;34(4):421-6.
9. Troiana, P and Monaco G. Cornea 2008; 27(10): 1126-30
10. Purslow C. Acta Ophthalmologica 2014;92:s253.
11. Lindstrom R. Ocul Surf. 2009;7:S19-20.
12. Guillon M et al. Eye & Contact Lens 2012;38:306-312.
13. Stead RE et al. Eye (Lond) 2010;24:742.
14. Peral A et al. Eye & Contact Lens 2016 42:366-370.
9. Troiana, P and Monaco G. Cornea 2008; 27(10): 1126-30
10. Purslow C. Acta Ophthalmologica 2014;92:s253.
11. Lindstrom R. Ocul Surf. 2009;7:S19-20.
12. Guillon M et al. Eye & Contact Lens 2012;38:306-312.
13. Stead RE et al. Eye (Lond) 2010;24:742.
14. Peral A et al. Eye & Contact Lens 2016 42:366-370.
