Which Eyedrops Should You Use?
You can get over-the-counter eyedrops to take care of problems such as dryness, redness, and itching. However, if you have a persistent problem with your eyes, you should see your eye doctor. He or she might recommend prescription-strength eye drops, or there may be another, underlying issue that needs to be treated. Here are some other things you should know about eyedrops:
- Choose the right kind. It does matter what kind of eyedrops you get. For instance, if you are looking for help for dry eyes, you should opt for lubricating eyedrops (also known as “artificial tears”), but avoid decongestant eyedrops. These are for reducing red eyes, but they can make eyes more dry. If you have contacts, you should make sure to get eyedrops that can be used while you’re wearing them.
- Put them in correctly. You probably have your own way of putting eyedrops in that works best for you (or your eye doctor can help with some tips), but there are a few rules everyone should follow: remove contacts before using eyedrops (unless they are made to be used while wearing contacts); wash your hands before putting in eyedrops; and don’t touch the tip of the eyedrop bottle so that the eyedrops don’t get contaminated.
- Read the label. You might think that the more eyedrops you use, the better, but this isn’t true. Follow instructions on the label to find out how many drops to put in the eye, and also pay attention to the expiration date on the bottle and throw out eyedrops that you’ve had past this date.
Sometimes eyedrops just aren’t enough to help with an eye problem you have! It may be time to make an appointment at North Suburban Eye Associates, with offices in Waltham, Winchester, and Wakefield, Massachusetts. Call (781) 245-5200 for an appointment today!