Posts tagged with eye drops

Now that winter is here, many of us are enjoying cozy evenings by the fireplace and outdoor winter activities. However, for some, winter also brings a common discomfort: dry eyes. The cold air, combined with indoor heating, can lead to irritated and parched eyes. In this blog, we'll explore the causes of dry eyes during winter and provide practical tips to keep your eyes comfortable and healthy!  Understanding Dry Eyes in Winter  During winter, humidity levels drop, creating a dry environment both indoors and outdoors. This decrease in moisture can result in heightened evaporation of the tears that naturally shield and lubricate our eyes, leading to a sensation of dryness and irritation. Indoor heating systems can inadvertently worsen the situation by lowering indoor humidity levels, intensifying the dryness. Additionally, the combination of cold winds and bright sunlight during winter often leads to reduced blinking, impeding the proper distribution of tears across the eye's surface, thereby compounding the issue of dryness.  Tips for Alleviating Dry Eyes  Use a Humidifier:  Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can help maintain comfortable humidity levels in your home or office, reducing the risk of dry eyes. Stay Hydrated:  Drinking an adequate amount of water helps maintain the production of tears. Take Breaks from Screens:  Extended screen time can lead to decreased blinking and exacerbate dry eye symptoms. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. For additional protection against blue light, try Focus Blue Light gummies! Blink Frequently:  Blinking helps to spread tears evenly and keeps your eyes moist. Avoid Direct Heat:  Position yourself away from direct heat sources like radiators or heaters to prevent excessive evaporation of tears. Use Eye Drops or Artificial Tears:  Over-the-counter artificial tear solutions can provide temporary relief for dry eyes. Focus PI eye drops are formulated for post-injection, but due to their high viscosity, they are great for long-lasting dry eye relief! Take Omega-3 Supplements:  Omega-3s can improve the composition of tears, making them more effective in keeping the eyes properly lubricated. Focus Relief Plus® delivers 1620mg of powerful Omega-3 fatty acids (rTG form) daily, with more than 90% EPA and DHA. This concentration surpasses other popular supplements! Winter's dry conditions can pose challenges for maintaining comfortable, well-lubricated eyes. By understanding the causes of dry eyes in winter and implementing these practical tips, you can minimize discomfort and keep your eyes in optimal health throughout the season. Remember, if dry eye symptoms persist or worsen, consult with an eye care professional for personalized advice and treatment options. 

February is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Awareness Month, and we'd like to share some important information about AMD with you. Read on to learn about the different types of AMD, the risk factors, and what you can do to protect your vision. What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)? Age-Related Macular Degeneration is a chronic and progressive eye disease that affects the macula, which is where your vision is sharpest. The macula is responsible for central vision, which allows seeing fine details clearly and therefore being able to perform daily activities such as reading and driving. As the macula degenerates, it can result in blurring, darkening, or distortion of one's central vision. AMD has become a leading cause of blindness in adults and primarily affects older individuals. There are two different types of AMD: dry and wet. Each type affects the eyes differently. Contributing Factors to AMD There are several risk factors that can contribute to developing age-related macular degeneration, including: Age - being 50 and olderFamily history of macular degenerationSmokingGenderRaceDiet - eating a diet high in saturated fatHigh blood pressure or hypertensionSun exposureDry AMD Most people who have macular degeneration have Dry AMD. Dry AMD is a slow deterioration of the cells in the macula over the years. These cells die off and are not able to be renewed. It can start in one eye before developing in the other, or in some cases, it may develop in both eyes at the same time. Vision loss is typically central, and people retain their peripheral vision. Some people have only mild central vision loss. In others, it can be more severe.  Dry AMD is characterized by tiny yellow deposits that form under the retina called drusen. Drusen can be detected using advanced imaging technology by your eye physician, which is why it's important to get your eyes checked every year.  Unfortunately, there is currently no medical treatment for dry AMD. However, a large scientific study performed by the National Eye Institute has shown that the antioxidant vitamins and zinc contained in Focus MaculaPro® supported eye health. Wet AMD Wet age-related macular degeneration develops when abnormal blood vessels grow into the macula leaking blood or fluid, which leads to scarring and rapid loss of central vision. Wet AMD symptoms usually appear suddenly and worsen at a fast pace. These symptoms may include the following: Visual distortionA blurred/blind spot in the center of your visionRequiring more light for readingDifficulty seeing in low lightColors not seeming as brightOverall vision is hazyApproximately 10% of people who have macular degeneration have the wet type. Though this type is less common, it usually leads to more severe vision loss than dry AMD. Wet AMD Treatments There are three medications used to treat wet macular degeneration: Avastin (bevacizumab), Lucentis (ranibizumab), and EYLEA (Afibercept). Each of these drugs targets a chemical in the eye known as vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF. Blocking VEGF reduces the growth of abnormal blood vessels associated with wet macular degeneration, slows their fluid leakage, helps to slow vision loss, and in some patients improves vision. Click here to learn more about anti-VEGF treatments directly from the American Academy of Ophthalmology®. Your retina specialist injects these medications directly into your eye in an outpatient procedure. Before the procedure, your retina specialist will clean your eye with Betadine to prevent infection and will use an anesthetic to numb your eye. You may need several injections over the course of many months to stop the disease. Long-term anti-VEGF treatment is often needed for sustained benefit. What you can expect after an ocular injection: Burning Sensation (from betadine, if this persists try using ocular lubricants as directed by your doctor)Blood on the white part of your eye (sclera) that may last several daysIrritation of the injected eye (again, from the betadine)Watering of the injected eyeLight sensitivityFloaters or bubbles at the bottom of your vision

Focus Vitamins has formulated Focus PI (Post-Injection) eye drops to provide relief from irritation associated with eye injections. As the first product of its kind, Focus PI helps soothe any eye discomfort you might experience after receiving ocular injections. Because of its highly viscous Hypromellose formula, Focus PI can be beneficial in both the management of post-injection eye irritation and the management of dry eyes.

AMD is not preventable. However, there are things you can do to help lessen its impact on your ocular health. Your macula contains an important protective substance known as macula pigment (MP). Your MP is composed of Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and Meso-Zeaxanthin. The first two are obtained from diet and found in corn, squash, broccoli, and leafy green veggies like spinach and kale. These nutrients can also be consumed in an ocular supplement, like Focus Select®.

Dry eye is one of the most common eye conditions in the United States as it affects millions of Americans every year. Dry eyes occur when tears are not able to provide adequate lubrication for the eyes. This can happen if your glands don’t make enough tears or if your tears dry up too fast.  If left untreated, dry eyes can turn into a chronic condition that causes ongoing discomfort and vision problems.  1. What are the risk factors of dry eyes? Age - People who are over the age of 50 have a higher risk of developing dry eyes, and the risk increases as they get older. This is because the eyes produce fewer tears overall as part of the aging process.  Medications - Certain medicines including antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, and antidepressants can reduce tear production. Gender - Women have an increased risk of dry eyes due to pregnancy, menopause, and other hormonal changes. Taking oral birth control pills can also raise the risk of having dry eye conditions. Windy/Dry Climates - Exposure to windy conditions regularly, especially in a dry environment, can cause tears to evaporate quickly. Diet - Eating a diet that is low in vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with a higher risk of having dry eyes. Contact Lenses and Surgery - Wearing contact lenses for long periods of time has been associated with an increased chance of having dry eye symptoms.  Refractive eye surgeries, such as LASIK, can decrease tear production and contribute to dry eyes. 2. What are the signs and symptoms of dry eyes? The most common symptoms of dye eyes include the following: A feeling that there is grit in the eyesStinging sensationBurning sensationRed eyesLight sensitivityDiscomfort while wearing contactsTrouble driving at nightMucus around the eyes or in the eyesBlurry visionExcessive wateriness in the eyesEye fatigue3. How can dry eyes be treated? Dry eye symptoms can be caused by a combination of problems, but luckily, they can also be treated with more than one therapy. First, if you’re experiencing any of the dry eye symptoms listed above, see your doctor. Your eye doctor can help you determine the underlying cause of your dry eyes and therefore recommend the best treatment. In most cases, they will begin treatment right away to improve comfort.  Below are some of the most common dry eye treatments: Eye Drops - This is the most common treatment for mild dry eye. Over-the-counter artificial tears can be applied as needed less than 4 times per day, but if your eyes are still bothering you, you may need prescription eye drops that can stimulate tear production.Omega-3 Supplements - Nutritional supplements, such as Focus Relief Plus®, have been the focus of studies on dry eye symptoms and other eye and vision problems. Focus Relief Plus® provides nutrients to help those with mild dry eye symptoms.Tear Duct Plugs -  Punctual plugs are small devices that are inserted into the tear ducts to block drainage in order to increase moisture to help relieve dry eyes. Eyelid Cleansers - Studies show that clean eyelids can help alleviate the symptoms of eye conditions such as blepharitis and dry eyes. Below are two of the most popular types of cleansers to consider:Eyelid Scrubs - Eyelid scrubs are gentle cleansers that soothe inflamed eyelids and can provide relief from dry eye symptoms. Eyelid scrubs that contain tea tree oil, like Focus Eyelid Scrub Formula, can even help kill mites that live in the eyelashes and can cause eye diseases such as Blepharitis. Hypochlorous Acid - Hypochlorous acid occurs naturally in the body. While the chemical neutralizes pathogens, it’s mild enough not to harm the body, unlike most disinfectants. As mentioned before, omega-3 fatty acids are known to play an essential role in the production of healthy tears and are often recommended as part of a treatment plan for occasional dry eye. Focus Relief Plus® provides 1620mg of re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) Omega-3 fatty acids per day with over 90% EPA and DHA, a higher concentration than other leading supplements.