What are natural tears?
Tears protect the eye surface from infection and potentially damaging dirt, dust and other airborne particles. They create a smooth corneal surface that sustains healthy vision and "wets" the cornea to protect it from drying and damage. Tears are constantly being replenished. Adequate tear production is vital to eye health.

 

What is Dry Eye?
Dry eye is a catchall term for a variety of tear film disorders that results in inadequate wetting of the eye by tears.   This can either be because the eye is not producing enough tears or tears are evaporating too quickly.   The main cause is ageing, but there are other factors that cause dry eye, such as hormonal changes, illness and environmental and lifestyle factors, e.g. air connditioned atmospheres; spending long periods of time undertaking low blink activities such as reading, driving, watching television and working with VDUs; contact lens use, smoking, being out in the wind. Allergy and hayfever can also cause dry eye.

What are the signs of Dry Eye?
Signs can range from light pain to a wide variety of irritations – anything from grainy or scratchy feelings to burning, sticky, stinging sensations or aching in the eyes.   Eyes may also feel occasionally watery or strained watching TV, reading or working at a computer.   Some sufferers also experience blurred vision and are intolerant to bright lights.

How is Dry Eye Relieved?
Soothing eye drops, ointments or gels, which help lubricate the eye, provide the most effective relief for dry eye.   However, whilst ointments offer prolonged relief during sleep, they can blur vision during waking hours.    By contrast a gel such as Clinitas Hydrate can be used by day or night and is not associated with prolonged blurred vision.   For milder conditions, “artificial tears” such as those of Clinitas Soothe or Clinitas Ultra 3 are suggested.

Are there any products that might cause Dry Eye?
Products known as “eye whiteners” or “eye brighteners” can reduce tear production, so should not be used by dry eye sufferers.   Some medicines can also promote dry eye when taken long term, including beta-blockers, antidepressants, pain killers such as aspirin, anti-histamines and oestrogens.

How and when should someone use a Clinitas product?
As a general rule, a Clinitas product is usually used between 2 - 3 times daily but can be adjusted to suit sufferers’ needs.   Clinitas Soothe is free from preservatives and can therefore be used more frequently and over extended periods.  However, there are no restrictions on how long any Clinitas product can be used for.

 

How do I know which Clinitas product to use?

Clinitas Hydrate replenishes the aqueous layer of the tear - if eyes are sticky first thing in the morning, watery during the day particularly in the wind and/or are taking hormonal medication or antihistamines, Clinitas Hydrate is likely to be of benefit to you. Use Clinitas Hydrate overnight to start the day with more comfortable eyes.

 

Clinitas Soothe is ideal for mild to moderate Dry Eye - if you experience eye discomfort when you are undertaking certain activities such as wearing contact lenses, working at a VDU, and/or being in certain atmospheres, Clinitas Soothe is recommended - as it is preservative free it can be used as often asrequired (including whilst wearing lenses). The individual units are sterile until open and therefore have a long shelf life and are easily portable for use during the day. Once opened the units can be re-sealed and used within a 12 hour period.

 

Clinitas Ultra 3 will be of benefit to sufferers of persistent or severe Dry Eye. Clinitas Ultra 3 addresses deficiencies in all three layers of the tear. It replenishes the tear film and contains a lipid which stops the tear evaporating too quickly.

When using a Clinitas product do eyes compensate by producing fewer natural tears?
No.  Rather than reducing natural tears, regular use of a Clinitas product will help to repair the irritated tissues.   This leads to a reduction in inflammation, which may in turn, improve natural tear production.

 

Are the products safe to use after surgery?
Clinitas Soothe is recommended after surgery.

 

Are the products safe to use when suffering from conjunctivitis?
Clinitas Soothe is recommended for relief when suffering from conjunctivitis.

 

Can you use the products if you have got/or have had cataracts?
Yes - however if you are using with other eye drops, allow 15 - 20 minutes between applications.

 

Is it safe to use the Clinitas range if you have diabetes?
Yes - however if you are using with other eye drops, allow 15 – 20 minutes between applications.   If you use eye ointments you should wait one hour between applications.

Is it safe to use the Clinitas range if you have glaucoma?
Yes - however if you are using with other eye drops, allow 15 – 20 minutes between applications.

 

Does using a Clinitas product have any side effects?
Scientific studies suggest that ocular lubricants are generally well tolerated.   However as with all products, any intolerance to a particular ingredient is possible.   Some users may need to use trial and error to find the best Clinitas product for them.   All eye preparations may cause burning and/or stinging upon instillation.

Can contact lens wearers use a Clinitas product and if so, which is best?
Most contact lens wearers find using ocular lubricants such as these improve eye comfort, although all wearers should ensure they use the product most compatible with their hard or soft contact lenses.   Generally preservative-free low to medium viscosity drops such as Clinitas Soothe are best for contact lens wearers. 

How should contact lens wearers apply a Clinitas product?
Clinitas Soothe and Clinitas Ultra 3 can be used with contact lenses. Clinitas Hydrate should not be applied when wearing lenses,if using Clinitas Hydrate you should wait 20 minutes before putting in lenses.

When should a dry eye sufferer consult an ophthalmologist/doctor?
You should consult your doctor or ophthalmologist when use of ocular lubricants alone do not give complete relief from dry eye symptoms.   Established dry eye sufferers should consult their doctor if new symptoms arise or if they observe a deterioration in their condition.

Can I ask my doctor to prescribe any of the products in the Clinitas range?
Yes.  There is a product – Clinitas - which is available on prescription.  
It is essentially similar to Clinitas Soothe and is prescribed in boxes containing 30 single dose units.    Neither Clinitas Hydrate or Clinitas Ultra 3 is available on prescription.n.

What is the shelf life of the eye drops? 
The expiry date is marked on the bottom of each product box in YYYY-MM format.  Once opened Clinitas Hydrate and Ultra 3 should be used within one month. The individual units of Clinitas Soothe lose their sterility when opened, the individual units can be resealed by turning the cap upside down, however as the product contains no preservative it should be discarded after short term use.