Spotting the real causes of Dry Eye: Altacor’s Clinitas products have the answer
Cambridge UK, September 2011
If you have uncomfortable or sore eyes you might be suffering from dry eye especially if you spend long periods at a computer. Although this condition is extremely common, it is often disregarded, which can lead to mild and in some cases severe problems with one or both eyes.
Gareth Thomas of Cambridge-based Altacor, a specialist ophthalmic products company, explains that understanding the underlying causes of dry eye is essential to ensuring that the most appropriate product is selected to assist with the condition.
“Many people report that their eyes tire easily and feel dry when looking at a computer or television screen. This is because you blink less when concentrating and this gives more time for the film of tears, which lubricates the eye, to evaporate creating dry spots on the corneal surface. But the problem is easily remedied.”
“Unfortunately, although very common, it is often poorly understood and this can turn into a big problem as the agents used for this condition can make dry eyes worse. We are developing training materials that can be used by nurse practitioners, Opticians and Optometrists to raise awareness of dry eye and help them to recognise it.”
Dry Eye can vary; it can take the form of a foreign body sensation in the eye or a scratchy, dry, gritty or smarting feeling. In addition there may also be photophobia or intermittent blurring and the sensations are aggravated by wind, smoke or air conditioning.
Altacor works closely with eye specialists and has developed a range of dry eye products which covers all the main causes of the condition. Two products are available on prescription (Clinitas and Clinitas Gel) and three products (Clinitas Hydrate, Clinitas Soothe and Clinitas Ultra 3) through opticians and pharmacies including Boots. Each of these products helps restore the natural moisture of the eye to bring fast relief through different mechanisms.
To help computer users to recognise dry eye and protect against it, Altacor is hosting a ‘mingle’ on September 7th for tenants at St John’s Innovation Centre where the company is based.
Altacor was established in 2007 by Dr Fran Crawford and Mr David Alcraft to develop and market a range for high quality treatments for ocular conditions such as glaucoma, eye infection and dry eye. The five Clinitas products are the first to be marketed by Altacor.
More information is available from www.altacor-pharma.com or www.clinitas.info.
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Eye care tips from Altacor
- When using a computer try to look away from the screen at regular intervals.
- Use a humidifier and reduce use of fans in hot, dry environments.
- Good eye hygiene 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 oil in the glands, making 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 will help to push out any of the mucus-like fluid from the tiny eyelid glands and the massaging action 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.
- 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.