Dry eye? Don’t get DOOPED by dangerous drops

Folks, living with dry eye is NO FUN.

The common symptoms of dry eye – like BURNING, REDNESS, and the constant TEARY feeling – can hit you in the blink of an eye (no pun intended).

Unfortunately, the conventional approach to FIXING dry eye isn’t so great either…

That’s because over the last few weeks, the Feds have slowly been RECALLING several brands of eye drops due to concerns of bacterial infections. These infections have caused dozens of injuries… blindness… and even DEATH.

In early February, drug manufacturer Global Pharma Healthcare, said it was voluntarily recalling all lots of its EzriCare and Delsam Pharma brands of Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops due to a possible microbial contamination…

And, according to a filing from the FDA, there are 55 reports of adverse events involving these eye drops, including:

• Eye infections
• Permanent loss of vision
• Death from a bloodstream infection (sepsis)

Needless to say, if you’re using any of these drops – I recommend tossing ‘em.

And if you are using other drops, I’ve got better, safer “no-drop” solutions to soothe your pesky eye troubles from the inside-out.

A key ingredient for dealing with almost any eye problem is vitamin A.

Vitamin A IMPROVES the smoothness of your tear film – which is the thin layer of fluid on your eye. Vitamin A also SUPPORTS the formation of tears – which aren’t just for crying… they are also ensure natural lubrication of the eye.

Some studies say that as little as 5,000 IUs of vitamin A can get the job done. I’ve recommended higher doses depending on the severity of the eye “issue” – but a good practice is to stick with what’s listed on the product label.

Another overlooked culprit of dry eyes is hydration – or lack thereof. I’ve found that most folks with dry eyes are NOT adequately hydrated, and this can show in poor tear formation.

Seniors in particular are more susceptible to dehydration – partly due to lack of thirst sensation and changes in the body’s water and sodium balance that naturally occur as people age.

So, it’s important to remember to drink water frequently. Remember, if you “feel” thirsty, you’re already technically dehydrated! Don’t wait to get to that point.

Finally, there are studies published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) that have found that acupuncture can also relieve symptoms of dry eye.

Acupuncture reduces inflammation, which can be a big problem for dry eye patients. It can also help decrease chronic pain, another issue that some people with dry eye have.

Bottom line? If you have dry eye and use drops, talk to your doctor about this recall, and consider an alternative, drop-free approach for relief.

In Your Corner,

Dr. Allan Spreen

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Sources:

Lenihan, Rob. “Feds Recall Several Types of Eyedrops Amid Reports of Blindness and Death.” https://www.thestreet.com/retailers/feds-recall-several-types-of-eyedrops-amid-reports-of-blindness-and-death

Nunez, Kirsten. “Vitamins and Supplements for Dry Eyes.” https://www.healthline.com/health/dry-eye/vitamins-for-dry-eyes

PubMed.gov. “Preventing and treating dehydration in the elderly during periods of illness and warm weather.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19214345/

Caceres, Vanessa. “Should You Use Acupuncture to Treat Dry Eye?” https://www.verywellhealth.com/acupuncture-for-dry-eyes-5212966