Eye Drops Commonly Used By People Over 60

Updated on June 23, 2021

Optometrists and physicians can recommend different eye drops for the elderly depending on the specific eye problem that they are experiencing. Certain types of eye drops cannot be prescribed to elderly patients with certain health issues. This is why it is important for people over 60 to consult an optometrist before using eye drops. Click here to find optometrists in your area. The best eye drops for the elderly are discussed below.

Ocular emollients use is an option for elderly patients with dry eyes and it is for nighttime use, these are ointments that contain mineral oil, lanolin, paraffin, white ointment, petrolatum, yellow wax, or white wax. When applying it patients should pull their lower eyelid down and apply 0.25 inch inside the eyelid, not longer than 72 hours. An occlusive film formed by these products on the eye surface softens tissue, giving an effect that lasts longer. They cause slight blurring vision which makes them appropriate for use at bedtime when blurred vision isn’t a serious problem. These products are ideal in keeping the eyes of the elderly from drying out at night include Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Relief Night Time, Tears Naturale P.M., and Refresh P.M. Artificial tear drops like Refresh Tears, GenTeal, Tears Natural Forte, and Refresh Celluvisc are more effective for use during the day. These eye drops leave your eyes feeling refreshed, moistened, relieved, and protected. Symptoms like irritation, dryness, stinging, burning, irritation, tired eyes, scratchy eyes, and excessive tearing are eliminated quickly and effectively after use. For removals of foreign materials in the eye among the elderly, like dirt blown into the eye or eyelash. You may try using sterile eyewashes like Collyrium for Fresh Eyes or Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Eye Relief Eye Wash. However the eyecup should be discarded immediately after you open the package to block bacteria from contaminating the eyes. Also, you can let a stream of liquid pour in the eye, removing the foreign material out of it.

For allergies such as tearing, burning, itching, and redness in elderly people, there are several eye drops such as Naphcon-A, Visine-A, and Bausch & Lomb Opcon-A that can assist with the annoying issue, though they are not advisable for use by those with high blood pressure, heart disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, or difficulty in urination as a result of an enlarged prostate.. It is recommended that you place 1 to 2 drops inside the eyes four times a day daily for not more than 3 days. Excessive use can lead to redness of the eye. There is a new product known as Zaditor which is administered at 1 drop every 8 to 12 hours and is suitable for use by all elderly patients irrespective of their health status. To treat redness of the eye among the elderly that result from minor irritation, you can use eye drops like clear eyes, Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Relief Redness, and Visine for upto three days. However, for narrow-angle glaucoma in the elderly, it is advisable not to use these products. Additionally using them for more than 72 hours can cause increased redness, therefore, it is best that you stop using them completely to enable the eyes to recover. 

There are several eye drops for different eye issues and excessive use can lead to redness of the eye and also there are those eye drops with health restrictions among the elderly. Elderly patients are cautioned not to overuse the product, as using more than 6 times or more daily can cause a rippled corneal surface.

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