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Patient Counselling
Patient Counselling
Ocular lubricating agents typically must be applied several times (2-6 times) daily in order to be effective. It is recommended to refrigerate these agents prior to their use because they could cause vasoconstriction and provide additional relief when applied immediately in a cold state (4). Furthermore, it is important for patients to wash their hands and remove any eye contacts before using lubricating agents. Concomitant ocular medication should be administered 15 minutes prior to the installation of lubricating agents (3). In order to avoid contamination, the dropper bottle must be kept tightly closed and the dropper tip must not touch any surface or have direct contact with the eye. Eye drops should not be used more than 30 days after first opening (3). Chronic or frequent use of preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride may cause eye irritation, especially if used ≥ 4 times a day (5). Thus, patients who require frequent applications for long periods of time should use a preservative-free product to prevent toxicity (5).
References:
1. Bielory, BP, O’Brien T, Bielory L. Management of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: guide to therapy. Acta Ophthalmol. 2011 Nov 8 doi: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.02272.x. [Epub ahead of print]
2. Fujishima H, Fukagawa K, Takano Y, et al. The Early Efficacy of Topical Levocabastine in Patients with Allergic Conjunctivitis. Allergol Int. 2006 Sep;55(3):301-3.
3. Refresh Tears Lubricating Eye Drops product monograph. http://home.intekom.com/pharm/allergan/refre-tr.html#CONTRA-INDICATIONS. Accessed June 21, 2012
4. Terrie, YC, Bowling, EL. Update on the OTC Treatment of Allergies: Focus on Allergic Conjunctivitis. Pharmacy Times Office of Continuing Professional Education. https://secure.pharmacytimes.com/lessons/200903-02.asp. Accessed May 28, 2012.
5. Friesen, A. Conjunctivitis. In: Canadian Pharmacists Association. Patient Self-Care, 2nd ed. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacist Association, 2010
Ocular lubricating agents typically must be applied several times (2-6 times) daily in order to be effective. It is recommended to refrigerate these agents prior to their use because they could cause vasoconstriction and provide additional relief when applied immediately in a cold state (4). Furthermore, it is important for patients to wash their hands and remove any eye contacts before using lubricating agents. Concomitant ocular medication should be administered 15 minutes prior to the installation of lubricating agents (3). In order to avoid contamination, the dropper bottle must be kept tightly closed and the dropper tip must not touch any surface or have direct contact with the eye. Eye drops should not be used more than 30 days after first opening (3). Chronic or frequent use of preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride may cause eye irritation, especially if used ≥ 4 times a day (5). Thus, patients who require frequent applications for long periods of time should use a preservative-free product to prevent toxicity (5).
References:
1. Bielory, BP, O’Brien T, Bielory L. Management of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis: guide to therapy. Acta Ophthalmol. 2011 Nov 8 doi: 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2011.02272.x. [Epub ahead of print]
2. Fujishima H, Fukagawa K, Takano Y, et al. The Early Efficacy of Topical Levocabastine in Patients with Allergic Conjunctivitis. Allergol Int. 2006 Sep;55(3):301-3.
3. Refresh Tears Lubricating Eye Drops product monograph. http://home.intekom.com/pharm/allergan/refre-tr.html#CONTRA-INDICATIONS. Accessed June 21, 2012
4. Terrie, YC, Bowling, EL. Update on the OTC Treatment of Allergies: Focus on Allergic Conjunctivitis. Pharmacy Times Office of Continuing Professional Education. https://secure.pharmacytimes.com/lessons/200903-02.asp. Accessed May 28, 2012.
5. Friesen, A. Conjunctivitis. In: Canadian Pharmacists Association. Patient Self-Care, 2nd ed. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Pharmacist Association, 2010