Although most people have experienced an eye infection or irritation at some point in their lives, vigilance is still needed when it comes to spotting their symptoms. To help, GoldenEye advisers Optometrist Francesca Marchetti and pharmacist Mark Burdon are shining the light on common eye health issues that are likely to affect you, such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and styes.
Only 30% Treat Eye Care Problems
Research has shown that just 30 percent of those who suffer from eye care problems treat them—a surprisingly low proportion, given how easily and quickly they can be treated.
Optometrist Francesca Marchetti says, “Itchy, watery, dry and red eyes can often be overlooked as ‘just one of those things’ that will sort itself out. But ignoring these types of symptoms means putting your eye health at serious risk of developing further complications – when they can be quickly and easily treated at home with products from the pharmacy.
“Conjunctivitis, blepharitis and styes are some of the incredibly common conditions that can easily affect the eye and cause discomfort, irritation, inconvenience and even pain.”
A Closer Look At Three Common Key Eye Health Conditions:
Styes
A stye is a bacterial infection of either an eyelash follicle or a gland near the eyelashes. It presents itself as a small swollen red lump on the eyelid and may also be filled with yellow pus. Styes can cause the eye to become itchy and watery.
Pharmacist, Mark Burdon notes; “Typically, only one eye will be affected, and it important not to try to burst the stye yourself and refrain from rubbing the eyes. If infected with a stye you must not share towels with others.”
Conjunctivitis
Sometimes known as pink eye or red eye, conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane (or thin skin) on the inside of the eyelid.
Francesca Marchetti adds, “Conjunctivitis is often an infection caused by a virus or bacteria, though an allergy may also cause it. It happens when the blood vessels of the sclera (the white of the eye) become dilated, giving that red-eyed appearance.
“With conjunctivitis, eyes will be red, feel warm, a little gritty, itchy and watery – and will produce pus, where some may find their eyelashes stick together, especially after sleeping.
“Conjunctivitis is contagious when the eyes are red and feel gritty, but if caused by allergies like hay fever where the eyes are red and watery, it won’t be contagious.
“In all cases of conjunctivitis, you should not share towels, and if you are a contact lens wearer you should stop wearing them while you have conjunctivitis.”
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is a common eye condition, estimated to account for around 5% of eye-health-related GP visits.
This condition causes inflammation of the eyelids, which can either be:
- Anterior blepharitis, inflammation at the base of the eyelid and can be caused by bacteria like staphylococci
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis (a condition that causes a red, flaky and itchy rash on your skin. It affects areas of your skin that tend to be greasier, like your face, scalp and chest), or posterior blepharitis[3], an inflammation of the meibomian glands, which help to produce tears.
“Eye symptoms to look out for here are itchy, gritty eyes, sore eyelids and on waking eyelids stuck together because of crusty or flakiness of the skins that stick to the eyelashes,” says Mark Burdon.
Avoid wearing make-up and contact lenses while you have blepharitis.
GoldenEye®: Looking after your eyes
Although eye complaints like styes, conjunctivitis and blepharitis are common, uncomfortable, and unsightly, they are easily treatable, so it doesn’t have to be such a challenge to sort. One eye care product range to look out for and ask about in your local community pharmacy is Golden Eye, and here’s why.
Containing dibrompropamidine isetionate, GoldenEye® Eye Ointment is for conjunctivitis (red eye), styes and blepharitis (infection of the lid margins and eye follicles). GoldenEye® Eye Ointment contains antiseptics (not antibiotics) that help stop bacteria from growing and multiplying. Always read the label.
Formulations with propamidine isethionate are effective disinfectants and also have antifungal properties. GoldenEye® Eye Drops contain propamidine isethionate, which works by stopping bacteria from growing and multiplying, controlling the number of bacteria causing an infection. This eye drop also has antifungal properties. Always read the label.
GoldenEye® Antibiotic Eye Ointment contains the antibiotic chloramphenicol. This product is intended for acute bacterial conjunctivitis in adults and children aged two years and over. It should be reserved for acute infection to limit the spread of bacterial resistance to antibiotics (antibiotic resistance). Always read the label.
5 Top Eye Care Tips:
20:20:20. Most of us spend too much time on screens, whether that’s at work, at home or even out and about. But did you know this is actually harmful for your eyes? Staring at digital devices for long periods can cause headaches and tired or dry eyes. Take regular breaks away from your screen by looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
Regular eye tests. Most of us should have an eye examination at least every two years as long as there are no concerns or changes to sight. Having a regular eye examination with an optometrist is the best way to make sure that your eyes are healthy and it can even spot other health problems, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
GoldenEye®. There are lots of things that can go wrong with our eyes, but most can be quickly and easily treated at home with products from the pharmacy. Conjunctivitis, blepharitis, and styes are some of the incredibly common conditions that can easily affect the eye and cause misery. If you have a minor eye health problem, the pharmacy should be your first port of call. The pharmacist can use their clinical expertise and practical knowledge to provide advice and treatment recommendations, such as GoldenEye® Eye Ointment or GoldenEye® Eye Drops.
Hand hygiene. We learnt the importance of hand hygiene from the COVID-19 pandemic, but many people have become more lax of late. According to research, we carry around 3,200 bacteria from 150 different species on our hands, so if we touch our eyes, it’s easy for the bacteria to develop into something else. Washing your hands well and frequently is vital. Use soap and water when you can and sanitisers if you can’t get to soap and water.
Beauty sleep. Lack of sleep and fatigue can lead to your eyes becoming sore, irritated, puffy, red, and bloodshot. You’re more likely to rub your eyes if they feel tired, and that can introduce bacteria, which could cause styes, conjunctivitis or blepharitis. A good night’s sleep can help keep your eyes feeling bright and refreshed, but a quick fix is to place a cold compress – slices of cucumber or a cold, wet facecloth – over your eyes, then lie back and relax for ten minutes.
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