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. Dry eye often occurs in older people but there are other factors that cause Dry Eye these include hormonal changes, illness such as rheumatoid arthritis, refractive surgery 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 and being in the wind. Allergy and hayfever can also cause dry eye.
What are the signs of Dry Eye?
Signs can range from mild 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 drop such as Clinitas Hydrate is not associated with prolonged blurred vision as the gel rapidly becomes less viscous on contact with the eye.
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 frequently should someone use Clinitas products?
It is recommended that Clinitas Soothe is applied twice a day, however since it is preservative free it can be used more frequently if required. Clinitas Hydrate and Clinitas Ultra 3 should be used one drop twice a day.
How do I know which Clinitas product to use?
Clinitas Hydrate replenishes the aqueous layer of the tear - if your eyes are sticky first thing in the morning, watery during the day particularly in the wind and/or you 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 - it is preservative free and should be used as required (including whilst wearing lenses). The individual units are sterile until open. Once opened the units can be re-sealed and used within 12 hours.
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 can be used after surgery.
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. Any eye preparation may cause mild transient burning and/or stinging upon instillation.
Can contact lens wearers use a Clinitas product and if so, which is best?
Generally preservative-free low to medium viscosity drops such as Clinitas Soothe are best for contact lens wearers.
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 units.
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 can be resealed with the inverted cap, however as the product contains no preservative it should be discarded after 12 hours.