Eye drops can feel like magic in a bottle by instantly soothing dry, itchy eyes, clearing away irritation and offering quick relief when needed. But while they can be a lifesaver for our eyes, they can also be a source of frustration and lead to dependency, or worse, mask deeper issues that need professional eye care.
Nokubonga Mahlangu from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal says she never thought something as simple as eye drops would become such an integral part of her daily life. What began as a remedy for occasional eye irritation, has now become something she feels she can’t go without.
“I first started using eye drops because my eyes would get so dry and itchy. The eye drops instantly make my eyes feel better, but I use them every day, and it’s like they are now becoming more dependent on the eye drops to feel normal.
Nokubonga Mahlangu
“My dependence on them worries me, but they’re the only thing that helps me at the moment. I do plan on getting my eyes checked by an optometrist soon.”
For Lizalise Dlala from Gqeberha, eye issues have been an ongoing journey. To address it, she began monthly appointments at her local hospital where she was prescribed eye drops to help manage her condition.
“My optometrist discovered that my left eye had high pressure and my eyes were also very dry, so I had to start going for eye appointments.
“The eye drops were meant to reduce the pressure in my eye and add moisture, and they help reduce the dryness, but they leave my eyes swollen.”
Optometrist Mbalenhle Sithole from Johannesburg highlights that there are many different types of eye drops, some for diagnostic use and others for treatment. She states that common and recommended usage of eye drops should however always follow the guidance of a healthcare provider.
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Different drops for different diseases
“Diagnostic eye drops are given for the purpose of trying to figure out what causes the problem, and the therapeutic ones are given to remedy or cure the disease. There are many different kinds of eye disease, and therefore there are many types of eye drops,” Sithole says.
“The benefits of eye drops should be them performing the intended job and giving desired results. The benefit of eye drops is faster absorption since the administration is on the eye. At times it takes other drugs way too long to get to the eye through systemic absorption, making topical administration a better option.”
Sithole warns that side effects of eye drops vary depending on the type of eye drop used.
“There are a lot of side effects from different eye drops. Should you suffer from side effects from eye drops, you must consult with your healthcare provider.”
Optometrist Mbalenhle Sithole
“The healthcare provider will consider different options, such as lowering the dosage, substituting with another eye drop that has the same function, or adding another eye drop or a system drug to counter the side effects.”
Sithole also stresses that you should not use eye drops if they are not prescribed for you.
“Before you get eye drops, you should get a diagnosis for your eyes. Eyes can be rinsed with water if there has been exposure to a harmful chemical or an allergen to the eye. After chemical exposure, it is very necessary to consult with a healthcare provider for further therapeutic intervention.”
Keep your eye on safety
For safe and effective use of eye drops, Sithole shares a few key tips to prioritise.
“Wash your hands before you put eye drops in, and follow the prescription instructions from the healthcare provider. When there’s a follow-up appointment, it’s very necessary to comply.”
Optometrist Mbalenhle Sithole
“It also helps to press on the nose part, just next to the eye, to help slow down drainage through to the nose. Nose drainage is normal, but you want maximum absorption by the eye structures.”
Furthermore, Sithole highlights the importance of understanding the purpose of eye drops, particularly when treating conditions like glaucoma.
“Glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the nerves inside the eye. There are a lot of risk factors for glaucoma, high intraocular pressure being one of them. Intraocular pressure-lowering eye drops are often prescribed to control and maintain safe pressure.
“When there has been some visual loss due to glaucoma, it cannot be regained. Its eye drops will help control and maintain the safe pressure, thus preserving the remaining vision and preventing deterioration.
“Oftentimes people think the lost vision will be restored with the use of the eye drops, and some default on the treatment because they don’t notice the improvement, and some, unfortunately, end up being blind.”
Additionally, she stresses the importance of knowing what you put in your eye as some over-the-counter eyedrops can be harmful with long-term use.
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