Ophthalmology
Find out more on the human eye
Pharmaceutical advice
General Precautions:
- Use individual towels and pillows if you have an eye infection.
- Do not use make-up while undergoing ophthalmic treatment since cosmetic products may be a source of re-infection.
- Do not wear contact lenses until you are cured.
- Do not touch your eyes or eyelids with the tip of the eye drop tube.
- Dispose of the rest of the medication after treatment.
- Do not cover your eyes unless the doctor recommends it.
- Wash your hands frequently, particularly before and after touching your eyes.
- Clean your eyes before applying the medication.
Working with computers:
You should see an ophthalmologist annually and whenever you start a professional activity where you are required to work on a computer.
- Using proper lighting:
- An environment with half of the usual lighting eliminating excessive external lighting.
- Position your screen sideways from the window (not facing it or with your back to it).
- Reduce screen reflections.
- Use anti-reflective glasses.
- Adjust the computer screen glare.
- Adjust the contrast on your monitor.
- Make sure the letters are a proper size.
- Use black writing on a white background or any other combination that is comfortable on the eyes.
- Place the screen at a lower level than your eyes.
- Blink often in order to minimise dryness and irritations.
- Apply artificial tears throughout the day (if necessary).
- Exercise every 30 minutes: Blink ten times closing your eyes as if you were about to go to sleep (slowly).
Foreign Matter:
In the event of a foreign matter getting into your eyes, follow the indications below:
- Dust, sand, and similar substances:
- Rinse your eyes thoroughly with running water.
-
If it is hard to remove with water:
- Seek urgent medical advice.
- Metal particles:
- Seek urgent medical advice.
Burns:
Chemical burns
- Rinse thoroughly with water for 10-15 minutes for fast dilution and removal of the harmful agent and go to an ER as quickly as you can.
Thermal Burn
Causes:
- Exposure to the sun, sun lamps, or any other form of UV light.
Symptoms:
- They may appear two to eight hours after exposure.
- Painful or burning eyes.
- Red or swollen eyelids.
- Extreme sensitivity to light.
- The feeling of having a foreign matter.
Pharmaceutical indications:
- Place cold water pads over your closed eyes for five to ten minutes every two to three hours.
- Ointment or lotion on your eyelids.
Apply the Eye Therapy:
- Single package.
- Only apply in the eyes.
- Wash your hand before you apply.
- Use the mirror to apply.
- Keep the package clean; do not touch your eyes or eyelids.
- Lie down or tilt your head backwards and look at the ceiling.
- Pull your eyelid down and outwards with your finger on the inner corner creating a pouch.
- Place the package between your thumb and index finger.
- Place the tip of the tube near your eye without touching it.
- Support the other fingers on your face or nose.
- Place a drop or ointment in the pouch (do not place it in the cornea as it may hurt).
- Ointment: apply in the sac in the lower eyelid.
- Then, press the inner corner of your eye for one minute.
- Close your eye slowly and keep it closed for a while.
- Repeat after five minutes if you apply more than one drop.
- Wipe the excess around your eye.
- Close the package immediately after application.
Situations where you ought to refer to a doctor:
- Pain.
- Changes in your eyesight.
- Serious hyperaemia.
- Recurring complaints.
- An associated chronic disease (i.e. diabetes).
- Treatment going on for more than 48 hours with no results.
- Symptoms have lasted for more than 48 hours with no therapy.
- Others.