eye conditions

T/F: self-treatment of ophthalmic conditions should only be for disorders affecting the eye lid or eye surface

• true

clinical presentation of dry eyes

• sandy or gritty sensation

• mildly red

• excessive tearing (abnormal)

dry eye nonpharm

• trigger avoidance

• omega 3 oils pr flaxseed oil

what are the 2 types of lubricants for dry eyes

• artificial tear solutions

• non-medicated gels/ointments

damaging lubricant preservatives

• benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride

  • preservatives = sensitizing, long term can cause damage conjunctival and corneal cells

non damaging lubricant preservatives

• disappearing preservative

  • sodium perborate → o2 + h2o

what type of formulation is preferred for dry eyes during the day vs bedtime

• day = solutions

• night = ointment (harder to administer, increased blurry eyes)

how long to wait to apply different eye drop products

• wait 5 minutes

multidose bottles should be discarded after…

• 30 days after safety seal is open

conjunctivitis clinical presentation

• pink/red eye

• redness, grittiness

• itching

• crusts at night

what type of conjunctivitis can have self-care

a) bacterial

b) viral

c) allergic

c) allergic

T/F: if etiology for conjunctivitis is unclear, you should refer patient to MD for evaluation

• true

nonpharm for allergic conjunctivitis

• trigger avoidance

• proper eye hygiene

• cold compress (3-4 times per day)

what is 1st line treatment for allergic conjunctivitis ?

a) artificial tear solutions

b) ophthalmic decongestant

c) oral antihistamines

d) ophthalmic antihistamine + mast cell stabilizer

a) artificial tear solutions

how long should ophthalmic decongestants be used?

• short term use

  • up to 72 hours or can cause rebound symptoms (redness, congestion)

contraindication for ophthalmic decongestants

• narrow angle glaucoma

T/F: AVOID ophthalmic decongestants for all patients with HTN, arteriosclerosis, coronary artery disease

• false

  • short term use in STABLE patients is likely safe

contraindication for ophthalmic antihistamines + decongestant/mast cells stabilizer

• narrow angle glaucoma

when to refer patients with foreign substances in eyes

• metal/wood/glass particles in eyes

• chemical splashes

nonpharm tx for foreign substances

• flush eyes with copious amounts of water from sink faucet or garden hose

pharmacological tx for foreign substances in the eyes

• sterile ocular irrigants

exclusions for ophthalmic self-treatment

• <2 years old

• severe pain / vision changes

• trauma / blood in eye

• open wound / infection (in/near eyes)

  • suspected bacterial conjunctivitis

• lack of improvement after 72 hours of self-care

what type of AMD (age-related macular degeneration) can have OTC treatment?

a) wet

b) dry

b) dry

clinical presentation of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

• vision appears blurry or black

  • loss of central vision

AREDS vs AREDS2 for AMD

• nutritional supplements to delay progression to advanced AMD

  • AREDS2 does NOT have beta-carotene → replaced with lutein & zeaxanthin

why was beta carotene removed from AREDS and replaced in AREDS2?

• increased risk of lung-cancer in current and former smokers

AREDS is NOT recommended for…

• current or former smokers (beta-carotene)

  • AREDS2 = okay

what are rewetting solutions

• similar to artificial tear solutions but compatible with contact lenses

  • minimize dryness + discomfort

what are multipurpose solutions

• rub technique to clean contact solutiosn

T/F: Generic solutions are preferred to brand name solutions for contacts

• false

  • use BRAND NAMES

    • generic solutions = specifically recommended by eye provider

T/F: using >1 product for contacts should use products from the SAME manufacturer

• true

proper storage of contact lens

• store in lens case

• clean lens case with same product as for contact lenses, allow to air dry

• do NOT wash with tap water

• replace every 3 months

T/F: insert contact lenses before applying makeup

• true

how can rifampin affect contact lenses?

• stain contact lens and tears orange-red

contact lens care exclusions to self-treatment

• vision changes

• severe pain

• Suspected interaction between contact lens and systemic medications

• overdue eye exam

Systane generic name

• artificial tear solutions

Refresh generic name

• artificial tear solutions

Soothe drug class

• non-medicated gels/ointments

Genteal drug class

• non-medicated gels/ointments

Lumify generic name

a) tetrahydrozoline

b) pheniramine/naphazoline

c) olopatadine

d) brimonidine

d) brimonidine

• opthalmic decongestant

Visine generic name

a) tetrahydrozoline

b) pheniramine/naphazoline

c) olopatadine

d) brimonidine

a) tetrahydrozoline

• opthalmic decongestant

Pataday generic name

a) tetrahydrozoline

b) pheniramine/naphazoline

c) olopatadine

d) brimonidine

c) olopatadine

• ophthalmic antihistamine

Naphcon A generic name

a) tetrahydrozoline

b) pheniramine/naphazoline

c) olopatadine

d) brimonidine

b) pheniramine/naphazoline

• ophthalmic antihistamine/decongestant