Artificial Tears: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Cost

Artificial tears are a specific treatment in which eye drops are designed to supplement the natural tears in your eyes. They help to lubricate, moisturise, and protect the surface of your eyes from irritation caused by dryness.

• Hypotonic Artificial Tears: Hypotonic artificial tears are made with a lower salt concentration than the natural tears in the eye. These types of tears are used to reduce osmotic pressure and relieve dryness, irritation, and burning.
• Hypertonic Artificial Tears: Hypertonic artificial tears contain a higher salt concentration than natural tears in the eye. They are used to draw fluid out of the eye and reduce swelling caused by inflammation or infection.
• Ophthalmic Ointments: Ophthalmic ointments are thicker than artificial tears and provide longer lasting relief from dryness, irritation, and burning. They also help protect the surface of the eye from further damage due to environmental factors such as wind or dust particles.
• Preservative-Free Artificial Tears: Preservative-free artificial tears do not contain any preservatives which can irritate the eyes over time if used frequently. These types of artificial tears are typically recommended for people with chronic dry eye syndrome who need frequent applications throughout the day without causing further irritation or damage to their eyesight.

• Artificial tears are used to treat dry eyes, a condition that can cause irritation and discomfort. They help to lubricate the eyes and provide relief from dryness.
• Artificial tears can also reduce inflammation caused by allergies or other irritants, such as smoke or dust.
• They can also help improve vision by providing a protective layer over the eyes, which can reduce glare and blurriness when looking at a computer screen or television.
• Artificial tears are also beneficial for people who wear contact lenses, as they keep the lenses moist and comfortable throughout the day.
• Artificial tears are often used after eye surgery to help promote healing and reduce discomfort in the days following the procedure.

• Artificial tears are used to lubricate the eyes and help reduce dryness, irritation, and discomfort.
• They can also help protect the eyes from further irritation caused by environmental factors such as wind, smoke, or dust.
• Most of the time, artificial tears are used to treat dry eye syndrome or other eye disorders that make the eyes feel dry.
• They can also be used as a preventative measure for people who spend a lot of time in front of computer screens or in air-conditioned rooms.

Artificial tears may contain preservatives, which can cause irritation of the eyes, especially if used frequently. Other risks include:

• Eye infections
• Blurred vision
• Increased pressure in the eye.

• It is important to thoroughly clean your hands with both soap and water before using the eye drops.
• Before using, give the bottle a good shake to make sure all of the active components are well distributed.
• Remove excess solution from your eyes with a tissue after application of eye drops.
• It is important to keep the tip of the dropper from coming into contact with your eyelid or any other surface, as this might lead to the solution stored inside the container being contaminated.
• Do not use if expiration date has passed as it may no longer be safe and effective in treating symptoms; discard unused product according to local guidelines.

• Using artificial tears is simple: apply one to two drops of artificial tears solution into the affected eye(s) as needed, or when you feel any dryness, discomfort, burning or itching.
• After application, keep eyes closed for a few minutes so the drops can disperse over your eye's surface.
• Avoid using the artificial tears of another person unless you have previously discussed the matter with a medical professional.

• Use soap and water to clean your hands.
• Gather the necessary supplies, including artificial tears, a clean tissue, and cotton swabs.
• Use a cloth that is both soft and moist to clean the region around the eyes.
• Keep your head slightly tilted back and sit in a relaxed position.
• Close your eyes and gently pull down on the lower eyelid to form a pocket between the eyelid and eyeball.

• Place one or two drops of artificial tears into each eye.
• To help the tears distribute evenly throughout the eye's surface, close your eyes for a few seconds.
• Gently press down on the inner corner of each eye for a few seconds to help spread the artificial tears throughout the eye surface and eyelids.

• Using a dry piece of tissue or a clean cloth, remove any extra moisture from the area around your eyes.
• To maintain the lubrication and comfort of your eyes throughout the day, repeat this technique as often as is necessary.
• If using more than one type of artificial tear product, wait at least 5 minutes between applications so that different ingredients do not mix together in your eyes and cause irritation or discomfort.

Generally, a 10 ml bottle of Artificial Tears can range from Rs. 70 to Rs. 150.

• Consume foods rich in vitamins and minerals, like fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and milk products with a low fat content.
• Eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and other fatty fish, may also help to decrease inflammation in the eyes.
• It is crucial to maintain good hydration throughout the day by eating enough quantities of water at regular intervals.

Yes, artificial tears are generally considered safe for use. They are a form of eye drops that contain ingredients that help to lubricate and moisturise the eyes.

No, artificial tears are not painful. Artificial tears are usually used to relieve dry eyes and discomfort caused by dryness. They can also be used to help flush out foreign particles or irritants from the eyes.

• The amount of time it takes to recover after using artificial tears typically depends on the severity of the eye irritation.
• Generally, people report experiencing relief within minutes of using artificial tears.
• For more persistent or severe cases, however, it may take a few days or weeks before symptoms are completely resolved.

The most common side effects of artificial tears are:

• Mild stinging
• Burning
• Irritation.
• Other potential side effects include a temporary blurring of vision, redness in the eyes, dryness of the eyelids, and an increase in tear production.
• In very unusual instances, the usage of fake tears has been known to provoke an allergic response.

After using artificial tears, it is important to take the following steps:

• Wash hands before and after use.
• Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when applying artificial tears.
• When using artificial tears, avoid making contact with the eyes or any other mucous membranes.
• Discard any opened bottles of artificial tears after three months of use and replace them with new ones.
• Avoid using expired or contaminated products, as these can cause irritation or infection to the eyes and surrounding areas.
• If redness, swelling, pain, or irritation persists after using artificial tears, seek medical attention immediately from an eye care professional for further evaluation and treatment if necessary.

Artificial tears are a safe and effective technique to alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes. It may aid in reducing inflammation, enhance eyesight, and alleviate eye irritation. Artificial tears can be used as a short-term solution for mild cases of dry eyes, but should not be used as a long-term solution. For more severe instances of dry eyes, it is essential to see an eye doctor for additional assessment and treatment options.