Artificial tear

Artificial tears are eye medications used when the lacrimal glands are not functioning properly. The medication helps protect the cornea from drying out, moisturize and soften it.

Drying of the cornea is caused by various factors, primarily by prolonged work at the computer, polluted and dry air, frequently used contact lenses, etc. Dysfunction of the lacrimal glands is called "dry eye syndrome", and the main symptom is dryness, burning, and a sensation of a foreign body in the eye. This disease has recently become quite common and if it is not eliminated in a timely manner, damage to the cornea is possible.

Artificial tears help to eliminate dryness, irritation of the cornea of the eyes, which in modern conditions are subject to strong stress: working at the computer, watching TV, as well as the influence of other electronic devices, all this negatively affects the condition of the corneal epithelium. In addition, the impact of the external environment (wind, smoke, dust) aggravates the situation and the process of secretion of tear fluid, which serves to soften the cornea, can be disrupted. If you do not pay attention to the corresponding symptoms in time (stinging, dryness, irritation, redness of the eyes), then irreversible damage to the cornea can develop.

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Indications Artificial tear

The medication is prescribed for regular exposure to aggressive environmental influences (smoke, dust, cold or dry air, salt water), and is especially recommended for use by people whose work involves exposure to unfavorable conditions.

The medication is also prescribed for allergic reactions, prolonged work at the computer, during eye diagnostics, when using eye medications that irritate the cornea, when the lacrimal glands are not functioning properly, for eyelid diseases (distortion, eversion, incomplete closure), after eyelid or corneal surgery.

Release form

The medication is available in special bottles with droppers of 5, 10 and 15 ml.

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Pharmacodynamics

Artificial tears mix with the natural secretions of the lacrimal glands and provide additional hydration to the cornea of the eye.

The medication creates a film on the surface of the eye and provides a long-lasting effect.

Clinical trials have not shown any special risks to humans.

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Pharmacokinetics

Artificial tear drops have limited data on the absorption of the active substance. Hypromellose is considered an inert substance (does not have a harmful effect when absorbed).

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Dosing and administration

The product is instilled into the conjunctival sac, 2 drops at a time.

The drug can be used up to eight times a day (drops can be instilled every hour).

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Use Artificial tear during pregnancy

The medication is used during pregnancy only as prescribed by a specialist. There is no clinical data on the safety of using the medication during this period.

Side effects Artificial tear

The product may cause a feeling of eyelid sticking and discomfort immediately after instillation. All unpleasant sensations usually pass after a while.

The drug may cause allergic reactions (swelling of the eyelids, itching, rash, etc.).

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Overdose

There are no recorded cases of overdose of the drug.

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Interactions with other drugs

Before using the drops "Artificial tears" you should remove contact lenses (if any), which can be inserted only half an hour after instillation of the drug.

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Storage conditions

Drops should be stored in a tightly closed bottle, the storage temperature should not exceed 25°C. The drug should be kept out of the reach of children.

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Special instructions

Instructions for use

Artificial tears are used for instillation into the conctival sac. The medication helps soften and moisturize the cornea of the eye, and protects against drying out. The medication is used up to 8 times a day, the main active ingredient is hypromellose.

Drops of artificial tears

The medicine protects the cornea from the aggressive effects of the external environment (dust, dry air, salt water, smoke, etc.). The drops work in a similar way to natural tears secreted by the lacrimal glands.

The medicine has a high degree of viscosity, due to which contact with the cornea of the eye is longer. In addition, eye drops have refractive indices similar to natural secretions of the lacrimal glands, and also protect the cornea from irritation after using other drops, help to extend the duration of action of ophthalmological drugs.

The condition of the cornea usually improves on the 3rd-5th day. On average, complete recovery occurs in 2-3 weeks.

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Compound

Artificial tears contain hypromellose and dextran, which determine the main therapeutic effect of the drug. In addition, the composition of the drug includes excipients (purified water, sodium chloride, polyquad, etc.).

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Artificial tear preparations

Artificial tears traditionally consist of a polymer base. Currently, the pharmaceutical market offers a huge selection of products for moisturizing and softening the cornea. In addition to conventional products that replace the natural secretions of the lacrimal glands, eye drops with an artificial tear effect can also have a regenerating effect, stimulate the production of endogenous interferon, stabilize the tear film, etc.

Among all the variety. The following tear substitutes can be distinguished: Vizin, Artelac, Optive, Vidisik.

Visine artificial tears

Artificial tear Vizin is used for allergic eye diseases, conjunctival edema, nasal cavity edema. The active substance of the drug is tetryzoline, which has a vasoconstrictor and anti-edematous effect.

This drug is not prescribed for glaucoma, deep corneal dystrophy, children under two years of age. The drug is used with caution in cases of high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, and certain heart and vascular diseases (including ischemic heart disease).

Do not use Visine simultaneously with MAO inhibitors, with drugs to increase blood pressure, during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

An opened bottle should be used within a month, after which it loses its therapeutic effect and is not suitable for use.

The course of treatment is no more than 4 days. The drug is instilled 2-3 drops into each conjunctival sac up to 3 times a day. If there is no significant improvement in the first days, it is necessary to stop the treatment and consult a specialist.

The drug can cause weakness, headaches, tremors, dizziness, drowsiness (especially with long-term treatment), as well as convulsions, abnormal heart rhythms, increased blood pressure, etc.

Artificial tears without preservatives

Drops are produced with and without preservatives. Preservatives are necessary to extend the shelf life of an opened bottle.

Drops without preservatives quickly become unsuitable for use; as a rule, such drugs are used in severe cases, when one bottle is enough for 1-2 days.

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Artificial tears for eyelashes

Artificial tears are often used not only to soften and moisturize the cornea, but also to grow eyelashes. The product is applied along the eyelash line several times a day. After about two weeks, you can see the result - eyelashes are almost doubled.

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Artificial tears for eyelash growth

The product contains salts identical to the natural secretions of the lacrimal glands. Drops applied along the eyelash line irritate the roots and promote their growth.

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Price

The product is sold in almost any pharmacy at a price of 50 to 200 UAH. The cost of the drug depends on the composition (with or without preservatives), the volume of the bottle, the manufacturer and the country in which the product was made.

Artificial tears analogues

Artificial tears, like a number of other pharmaceutical drugs, have analogues (products with a similar principle of action, the same international non-proprietary name or ATC code).

Among the wide variety of products for softening and moisturizing the cornea of the eye, the following can be distinguished: Vet-komod (eliminates fatigue, burning sensation in the eyes), Vidisik (used when the lacrimal glands are insufficiently functioning), Optive (used when the cornea is excessively dry), Artelac (prescribed for dry eyes, decreased tear secretion), Hilo-komod (for dry eyes), Stkapos (dry eye syndrome), Oftagel (dry cornea).

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Reviews

The product has quite a large number of positive reviews. The drug is often prescribed to patients who, due to their professional activities, have to spend a lot of time at the computer, as well as to those who are exposed to chemicals, aggressive external influences (dust, salt water, smoke, dirt, etc.).

After using the drug, most patients note an improvement in their condition; dryness, irritation, and the sensation of a foreign body in the eyes disappear, and redness and burning go away.

Shelf life

The drops are valid for 36 months from the date of manufacture, which is indicated on the package. The shelf life of an opened bottle is no more than a month, if over time sediment appears in the bottle, the solution becomes cloudy, then the product is not suitable for use.

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