Do you ever go to the pharmacy looking for eye drops and get overwhelmed with so many options? We are so fortunate to have many eye drops available here in Australia. While some eye drops you need a prescription, many are available over the counter. Which eye drops would you need to address your issues?
Of course, your optometrist, GP or pharmacist could guide you in choosing the best eye drops. Still, there are some board categories of eyedrops available. Whenever you have an eye problem, whether it is a red eye you have woken up with or the itchy and scratchy feeling that you can’t seem to shake away, it is advisable to seek the professional opinion of your optometrist in Canberra to help you pinpoint exactly what you need.
Artificial lubricants: These are the most common and readily available at pharmacies. These drops are suitable to treat dry eyes or general irritation. They are available in preserved and non-preserved options, and some could be used with contact lens wear. The numerous artificial lubricants available have different active ingredients, and some are best suited for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and others for dry eyes with aqueous deficiency. These drops are available over the counter; generally, you do not require a prescription. Depending on your type of dry eyes, some artificial lubricants work on different levels of your tear film. You should see your optometrist in Canberra to accurately diagnose which type of dry eyes you have, with advice on which eye drops would best suit your symptoms.
Antihistamines help treat itchy eyes such as allergic conjunctivitis, e.g. Hayfever. Antihistamine use can often cause dry eyes, so sometimes combining these with artificial lubricants is useful. Some antihistamines are available over the counter, while others require a prescription, which your optometrist in Canberra could provide. Decongestant Eye drops reduce the redness of your eyes caused by irritation and inflammation.
However, These generally do not treat the underlying cause of the red eyes and should not be used long-term. If your eyes are red, you should consult your optometrist in Canberra to diagnose the cause of the irritation.
Antibiotic and antiviral eye drops treat bacterial or viral infections such as conjunctivitis or herpetic ulcers. While some are available over the counter, most require a prescription from your optometrist or GP. Suppose you plan to use over-the-counter antibiotics or antiviral eye drops. In that case, you must seek a professional opinion from your optometrist in Canberra. Hence, the dosage and frequency are appropriate for you.
Anti-inflammatory eye drops such as steroids treat ocular inflammation such as uveitis or post-surgery. They are very fast-acting, and symptoms improve very quickly. These are only available with a prescription, and their use must be monitored carefully by your optometrist in Canberra or ophthalmologist, as they could cause unwanted side effects with prolonged usage and increase the risks of developing glaucoma and cataracts.
Glaucoma medication is used to lower the intraocular pressure in your eye, which is common in glaucoma. These are only available by prescription and require careful monitoring by your optometrist in Canberra or your ophthalmologist. Your eye care professional would determine the target pressure for your eye and select the most suitable eye drops after reviewing your overall systemic health.
The Bottom Line
We recommend seeing your optometrist if you are experiencing eye irritation or redness in Canberra. They can help you pinpoint the issue and recommend the eye drops you need. Not only does this eliminate the possibility of trial and error, but it also allows faster recovery and better patient outcomes. If your eyes are not behaving themselves, at Capital Eye, your optometrist in Canberra has urgent appointment slots throughout the week to allow for these unexpected situations. Consider making an appointment conveniently online and we will get your eyes back on track.