Signs You May Be Overusing Your Eye Drops
- Posted on: Jul 29 2019
Eye drops are frequently used to manage conditions like dry eyes, eye allergies and glaucoma. Though the drops may seem harmless, overusing them can prevent them from working as intended — or worse, cause new problems.
Here, Dr. Gregory Pamel, an ophthalmologist in New York City, reveals signs that you may be overusing your eye drops and putting yourself at risk of serious problems.
You use Visine regularly, but your eye redness is getting worse instead of better.
The blood vessels on your eye’s surface dilate in response to irritants. The increased blood flow associated with this dilation is intended to send oxygen and nutrients to repair whatever has irritated the eye. Medicated eye drops like Visine work by “clamping down” on the blood vessels and constricting blood flow so the eyes look less red and irritated.
Using these eye drops occasionally is not a problem. But overusing the drops can set up a cycle of dependency. Your eyes have to work even harder to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the blood vessels. The more you use the drops, the redder your eyes become. This is sometimes referred to as “rebound redness.” Eventually this can escalate to chronic eye redness.
If you use the drops for a few days and don’t see relief, it’s important to see an eye doctor to determine the root cause of the problem and find a better solution.
You see them as a cure to your problem.
Artificial tears can be very soothing if you suffer from dry eye syndrome. They mimic natural tears and help maintain the moisture in your eyes. However, unless you are following your doctor’s instructions for long-term use, the constant use of artificial tears can actually cause your natural tears to wash away, and with them natural moisturizers that protect your eye.
Artificial tears are not a lasting cure to dry eye. Dry eye is caused by insufficient tear production or an imbalance in your tear film. These problems are best addressed with a dry eye doctor who can recommend ways to correct the underlying issue.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Pamel
Instead of continuing to use eye drops incorrectly, you could benefit from a visit with Dr. Pamel to discuss your symptoms and determine a plan of action. Call our practice today to request an appointment with the doctor.
Posted in: Eye Health
