News and Views

If you may sometimes suffer from tired eyes with a gritty or itching sensation, then you may suffer from ‘dry eye’, a common problem for computer-users.

Good eye hygiene as described below will help prevent dry eye syndrome and the associated condition of blepharitis, which is inflammation (redness and swelling) of the rims of the eyelids.

• Wet a cloth with warm water and hold it against your closed eyes for five to ten minutes. The heat warms up the tiny eyelid glands which release a mucus-like fluid and make it flow more easily. The cleansing action decreases the number of bacteria that break down the oil.

• Massage your eyes by gently rolling your first finger over them in a circular motion – this helps draw the oil out of the glands.

• Gently clean your eyelids using cotton wool and cooled boiled water – a cotton bud can also be used to clean your upper and lower eyelid and remove any crustiness.

• When using a computer try to look away from the screen at regular intervals.

• Use a humidifier and reduce the use of fans in hot, dry environments.

• Consider use of a gentle tear replacement fluid, such as one of the Clinitas products, to provide more moisture and lubrication for the surface of your eye to bring relief, looking for a preservative free solution (such as Clinitas Soothe) would also be beneficial.

When Graham Colbourne retired he was determined not to let a chronic dry-eye condition get in the way of doing more of the things he enjoyed. With a zest to live life to the full, he particularly wanted to spend more time developing his love of painting at his home in Dudley.

However, in recent years Graham's suffering had become markedly worse. He takes up the story: "I have had severe dry-eye for 20 years and am under the care of the eye surgeon at the local hospital.

Aged 11, I lost an eye in a golfing accident and strangely the dryness in the socket around my prosthetic eye is worse than the pain I experience in my normal eye”.

"In the last few years the pain has been just too much to bear. I had even been going to bed at 8pm just to close my eyes, rest and get some relief the only way that I could. Naturally this had a huge impact on everyday life”.

"I must have tried every product on the market. Typically some of them worked for a short time but none brought the long-lasting comfort that I so desperately craved. Then, in autumn 2009, my wife read about Clinitas Soothe® eye drops in Saga magazine. To my delight, it brought rapid relief, taking away the pain and dryness. And, most importantly, the eye drops have kept on working for me. Now I receive it on prescription and use the handy daily dose vials regularly.

"My world has changed and all for the better. I would heartily recommend anyone suffering from dry-eye to give Clinitas Soothe® a try. The best thing is feeling as if I can live normally again, properly pursue my passion for painting and get on with all the things that make life worthwhile."

About Clinitas Soothe

Clinitas Soothe is a natural, preservative-free eye drop with 0.4% of a natural lubricant, sodium hyaluronate, the highest available concentration for an eye drop. Its unique formulation is dual acting, increasing and stabilising the tear film that coats, nourishes and protects the eye. Available in sterile, re-sealable containers that are safe, convenient and easy to use, it provides immediate relief; stays in the eye for long-lasting comfort; is non-toxic; and is suitable for contact lens wearers.

Available in larger Boots stores, Vision Express, high street pharmacies and selected opticians, Clinitas Soothe® has an RRP of £6.49 for 20 x 0.5ml doses. It is also available as Clinitas® on prescription. It can be ordered online at www.clinitas.info or by calling 01223 421410.

Clinitas Soothe® is a registered trademark of Altacor Ltd.

Clinitas Hydrate®, a high-performance liquid gel drop is set to hit UK stores with new packaging and a promise to bring rapid long-lasting relief from the discomfort of irritable dry eyes by boosting the tear film to keep eyes moist.

Formulated for everyday use, the liquid gel spreads rapidly on contact to quickly coat the whole eye surface, giving fast relief from symptoms. Safe, non-toxic and easy to apply, it is particularly effective for use overnight or first thing in the morning. Usually one drop is applied three to five times a day into the eye.

The new Clinitas Hydrate pack has a striking pink and blue design that will make it easier to spot in stores. Each pack contains a handy 10g tube of the transparent, sterile eye gel that can be used for up to 28 days.

Stockists include Vision Express, select Specsavers outlets, high street pharmacies and optical outlets. Clinitas Hydrate has an RRP of £4.08 for a 10g pack (€5.74 in Republic of Ireland).

Dry, irritable eyes are at best annoying, at worst debilitating and can play havoc with everyday life. Symptoms can include gritty, itchy, stinging sensations; persistent discomfort; occasional blurred vision; and watery eyes. Discomfort can occur for many reasons and be caused by anything that affects the normal production of tears. Aggravating factors include lifestyle, age, gender and health.

In air-conditioned and centrally heated places such as offices and aeroplanes, tears evaporate more quickly, drying the eye. Exposed, windy or dusty locations, such as construction sites, have a similar drying effect. Symptoms can be triggered by certain medical conditions and medical treatments such as HRT and anti-histamines, or related to the onset of the menopause.

Clinitas Hydrate contains a specialist polymer formulated to boost the tear film. Although Clinitas Hydrate can't be applied while contact lenses are in place, lenses can be inserted 15 minutes after use or following use overnight.

In addition to high street stockists, Clinitas Hydrate can be ordered online at www.clinitas.info or by calling: 01223 421410 in the UK; or +353 180 68656 in the Republic of Ireland.

The science behind Clinitas Hydrate
Clinitas Hydrate contains 0.2% Carbomer, sorbitol, sodium hydroxide, cetrimide, sodium edetate and water. Several clinical studies validate the restorative effect that it can have and its potential to improve the quality of life for dry-eye sufferers.

Clinitas Hydrate is part of the Clinitas® range of specialist eye products from Altacor Ltd, a Cambridge-based UK company. Clinitas, a sister product was accepted onto the NHS Drug Tariff in September 2008 and can be prescribed by doctors. Other products in the range include Clinitas Soothe® preservative free daily eye drops and Clinitas Ultra 3® triple action eye drops.

Clinitas®, Clinitas Hydrate®, Clinitas Soothe® and Clinitas Ultra 3® are registered trademarks of Altacor Ltd.