Why Eye Drops Are Bad For Your Eyes

People seeking relief from tired, red eyes don't have to look far. A lot of over-the-counter (OTC) eyewashes claim they can help. And they're not humble about it.

Visine promises to "get the red out in 60 seconds" while Eye-Mo has a daily care formula to "clean and refresh your eyes." Clear Eyes says it "soothes and cleanses red eyes of strain and everyday irritation." So popular are these products that in the United States alone, more than 15 million bottles of eye drops are sold yearly.

But soaring sales are not proof of efficacy. While some OTC eyewashes may relieve redness and soothe the eyes for a few hours, their usefulness is questionable.

The truth is your eyes don't have to be cleaned with eyewashes. Simple irritation caused by smog, strong light, sea bathing or bathing in chlorinated water is often self-limiting and natural tears do a better job of eliminating these problems.

"Normal eyes don't need cleansing, soothing or refreshing by solutions of vasoactive and antiseptic chemicals. Simple irritation disappears of its own accord in about a day. No synthetic solution can match natural tears for washing away small bits of dust, dirt or other irritating matter. And human tears contain an enzyme that has mild antibacterial properties at least as effective as those of commercial eye solutions," according to the editors of "The Medicine Show" published by Consumers Union (CU).

Decongestant eye drops containing naphazoline, tetrahydrozoline or phenylephrine relieve redness and discomfort by constricting the superficial blood vessels of the eyes. But what consumers don't know is that the more you use these products, the more sensitive and redder your eyes will be.

Dr. Charles N.S. Soparkar and his colleagues at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston said that frequent use of OTC eye drops may harm the eyes. In the journal "Archives of Ophthalmology", they reported that 70 people who had been using non-prescription eyewashes daily for three years developed acute and chronic forms of conjunctivitis marked by eye inflammation, discomfort, and discharge. In some, these symptoms persisted up to 24 weeks after the subjects stopped using the eye drops.

"There's no question that eye drops can make red eyes feel better and look brighter. Their shortcoming is that they counteract the symptoms without solving the problem. When the effect of the drops wears off after three to four hours, there may be a rebound effect: blood vessels dilate even more, and the eyes may redden and feel even itchier," revealed Candice Bushnell in "Health" magazine.

"The rebound effect shouldn't be a problem if vasoconstricting drops are used once or twice a day for a day or two and not again for a week. But apply them more often than that, and you will end up relying on eye drops every three to four hours to keep your eyes clear. The situation isn't difficult to remedy. You just have to go 'cold turkey' and live with red eyes for a day or two, and gradually the problem will resolve itself," Bushnell added.

Another bad effect of eyewashes is that they may mask symptoms of other diseases like glaucoma that is sometimes characterized by a vague discomfort - the kind of feeling you could mistake for tired eyes. In this case, eye drops won't solve the problem. You have to see an ophthalmologist for help.

Other possible causes of red eyes are bacterial or viral infection, errors of refraction like astigmatism or nearsightedness, hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), diabetes, and measles. In these cases, the use of eye drops is not advised and may delay the user from seeking expert medical help.

For tired but otherwise healthy eyes, CU's medical consultants said one or two drops of cold tap water placed in the lower lid with a clean eye dropper is sufficient. Iced wet compresses applied for 15 minutes will also help. These home remedies are less expensive than commercial eye drops and are less likely to give you trouble later.

For puffy eyes, dark circles, and eye bags that can make you tired and old, use Eyevive, a revolutionary cream that revitalizes your eyes to bring back their youthful sparkle.

By Janet Martin

Six Foods That Improve Your Vision

You may already be stocking up on carrots to keep your vision in great shape, but did you know there are dozens of other foods that can reduce your risk of vision loss? Poor eyesight is often associated with aging and genetics, but experts suggest that eyesight damage can be prevented with everyday foods. Adding a few leafy greens, dark chocolate and garlic to your daily plate are just a few ways to keep your eyes - and body - in good health.
If you're concerned about vision loss and improving your eyesight, consider adding these six foods to your weekly menu:
1. Salmon - not only does salmon contain high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, but it's also full of Vitamins A and D. Together, these dietary essentials can help boost your brain power and improve eye health. Add at least 2-3 servings of fresh salmon to your weekly menu to optimize your diet.
2. Garlic - if you're suffering from poor circulation, eating garlic regularly can enhance blood flow and give your immune system a boost. Garlic is also rich in sulfur which is essential for keeping the lenses of your eyes strong and resilient. Fresh garlic is more potent than cooked varieties, and can easily be added to entrees for a more flavorful - and healthy - dish.
3. Dark chocolate - lauded for its antioxidant benefits, dark chocolate also contains flavanoids which are essential for a healthy heart. Flavanoids help to protect the blood vessels of the eyes so that the cornea and lens stay strong as you age. Purer forms of dark chocolate are the most potent, so look for chocolate bars that contain at least 60% cacao extracts for maximum health benefits.
4. Leafy green vegetables - you already know the importance of eating your greens each day, but all that spinach, broccoli and kale will provide essential vitamins and minerals for good eye health. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, spinach in particular contains high levels of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin which are essential for protecting the eyes from degeneration (Source: Glaucoma.org). Eating your greens fresh is the best way to maximize their health benefits.
5. Bilberries - these dark purple berries contain anthocyanosides, a compound that may reduce the risk of vision loss. They're a tart and tasty fruit that can be eaten fresh, or enjoyed as a jam or jelly. Antioxidant-rich berries are another valuable source of nutrition that may also improve your eyesight.
6. Eggs - whether you enjoy them scrambled, boiled or sunny side up, eggs are a valuable addition to any diet. Egg yolks contain several essential nutrients and protein that can keep you healthy; in addition to lutein and essential fatty acids, eggs contain B-vitamins and zinc that are essential for overall eye health.
From dark chocolate to garlic, stocking up on these six essential foods can help you maintain a balanced diet and improve your eye health.
If you're concerned about vision loss and vision impairment, a consultation with a optometry doctor in your area can determine whether you're a good candidate for LASIK or corrective eye surgery. Still, preventive measures with some simple dietary changes may help you maintain healthy vision as you age.

By Sean M Reed

Cool Tricks on De-puffing Your Eye Bags

After crying a river of tears, having too much booze the night before, or spending little time for sleep, you may find yourself with red puffy eyes. Although you can cover your eye bags with a cool pair of sunglasses, you still have to deal with your eye problem when you have to remove your shades. What's more, bags under the eyes are usually accompanied by other problems such as dark circles or extreme redness.

Puffy eyes usually last for hours or a couple of days. If you are not going anywhere, it is actually good for you to just let nature determine when your poofed-up eyes are going to deflate. However, if you have an important meeting, a date, or you are going to attend a special occasion, having eye bag woes can really be annoying. Here are some tricks on how you can de-puff your eye bags in a jiffy:

Prevention Is Best

Some people are prone to eye bags, while others are not. If you are one of the individuals who seem to be prone to having swollen eyes, then you should stay away from things that are causing your eyes to puff.

If you have an important date, you should remember to sleep well the night before. Also, make sure that you don't go on an alcohol spree, which may be responsible for fluid retention. Getting easy with salty foods may also be a good idea because like alcohol, too much salt can also make you retain much water.

Simple Eye Massage

If you were not able to prevent your eyes from becoming swollen, then do not despair. There are plenty of things you can do, such as performing eye massage to help reduce inflammation.

Using your ring finger, simply massage your eye area in circular motion, starting from your nasal sinuses then to the cheeks. Make sure that you slightly push the skin upwards so as not to cause wrinkles. Repeat the massage for about five times on each eye. Gently massaging the area will help flush out pooled fluid faster.

Soothe Your Eyes With A Cool Eye Mask

Placing a chilled eye mask (choose the one without holes for more coverage) on your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes will help soothe your eyes. Moreover, your blood vessels will constrict or tighten due to the cold temperature. This will help facilitate draining of fluid located beneath the skin under your eyes. If you do not have a plastic eye mask, you can use chilled cucumbers or used teabags.

Stay Away From Hot Beverages

If you have swollen eyes, it would be best for you to drink plenty of cold water or other cold beverages. As mentioned earlier, the cool temperature encourages blood vessels to constrict, which will help in promoting better fluid drainage. Basically, the bags under your eyes are simply water or fluid that was not properly flushed out of your system.

Say No To Exfoliation

It would be best for you to skip using products that have ingredients such as salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and retinoids. These ingredients could irritate your skin and make swelling much worse.

Skip The Eyeliner

If you still have eye bags even after you performed the tricks above, then you need to skip eyeliner for the day. This makeup is used to enhance the shape of the eyes so if you have swollen eyes, the eyeliner will only highlight the flaw. Instead, use an eye shadow that is of the same shade of your upper eyelid to mask the swelling. You can also sweep the same color just beneath your lower lashes to help cover the flaw.

Since puffy eyes are usually accompanied by other eye problems, such as dark circles, crow's feet and wrinkles, you should use natural and high-quality eye creams. One eye product that could help reduce fine lines and skin discoloration around the eyes is Eyevive. For more details,

By: Janet Martin