Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
Many friends around me have developed a dependency on those small bottles of eye drops that claim to relieve fatigue, ever since they learned about them. These drops have become a daily essential, used whenever sand gets in their eyes on windy days or when they need a pick-me-up after tiring work. Gradually, they've formed the habit of using eye drops casually whenever their eyes feel uncomfortable.
**Western Medicine: Indiscriminate Use of Eye Drops Can Cause Irreversible Vision Damage**
Dr. Jiang Libin, an ophthalmologist at Beijing Tongren Hospital, explains that some patients experiencing symptoms like itching or dryness (often due to chronic conjunctivitis), particularly those with "video terminal syndrome" commonly seen among urban white-collar workers, self-prescribe over-the-counter eye drops to alleviate discomfort or eye fatigue without medical guidance. This practice is not advisable.
Most eye drops on the market contain preservatives. Long-term use can damage the corneal epithelium and severely harm the conjunctival goblet cells, leading to dry eye syndrome. Additionally, prolonged use of antibiotic eye drops can disrupt the normal bacterial flora in the conjunctival sac, potentially causing infections from otherwise non-pathogenic bacteria, known as opportunistic infections. More seriously, long-term use of steroid eye drops can lead to "corticosteroid-induced glaucoma," which is often difficult to detect early and is only diagnosed in its advanced stages. The vision damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible, and some patients have even gone blind due to prolonged use of steroid eye drops, a concern that has alarmed ophthalmologists.
Dr. Jiang reminds everyone not to underestimate the use of eye drops. Choosing the right medication is crucial for eye health, and eye drops should always be used under medical supervision to avoid complications from improper use.
**Traditional Chinese Medicine: Daily Use of Eye Drops Can Cause Allergies and Drug Resistance**
Dr. Tian Yue'e from Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine notes that most over-the-counter eye drops contain antibiotics (such as chloramphenicol), which should not be used long-term. Daily use can lead to side effects, allergies, and drug resistance.
Furthermore, some anti-fatigue or health-preserving eye drops have vasoconstrictive effects. It is best to consult a doctor before using them, and daily use is not recommended.
**Joint Recommendations from Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine:**
1. **Even minor issues should be addressed with medical advice.**
Ophthalmologists do not recommend patients self-prescribe eye drops based on advertisements or instructions without consulting a doctor. Even for chronic eye conditions requiring long-term medication, regular ophthalmological consultations and medical guidance are essential.
2. **Use eye drops correctly.**
Before using eye drops, check the drug name, concentration, and expiration date to ensure they match the packaging. Look for any cloudiness, particles, or color changes in the solution. Wash your hands before application, and avoid letting the dropper touch the eyelids or eyelashes. Do not apply drops directly to the cornea (the black part of the eye). If both eyes require medication, treat the healthy eye first, followed by the affected eye. If both eyes are affected, treat the less severe eye first.
Source: http://bbs. sg. com. cn/ showmore. aspx? channelid=3& bbsid=73857
Office Workers: Daily Use of Eye Drops?
**Western Medicine: Indiscriminate Use of Eye Drops Can Cause Irreversible Vision Damage**
Dr. Jiang Libin, an ophthalmologist at Beijing Tongren Hospital, explains that some patients experiencing symptoms like itching or dryness (often due to chronic conjunctivitis), particularly those with "video terminal syndrome" commonly seen among urban white-collar workers, self-prescribe over-the-counter eye drops to alleviate discomfort or eye fatigue without medical guidance. This practice is not advisable.
Most eye drops on the market contain preservatives. Long-term use can damage the corneal epithelium and severely harm the conjunctival goblet cells, leading to dry eye syndrome. Additionally, prolonged use of antibiotic eye drops can disrupt the normal bacterial flora in the conjunctival sac, potentially causing infections from otherwise non-pathogenic bacteria, known as opportunistic infections. More seriously, long-term use of steroid eye drops can lead to "corticosteroid-induced glaucoma," which is often difficult to detect early and is only diagnosed in its advanced stages. The vision damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible, and some patients have even gone blind due to prolonged use of steroid eye drops, a concern that has alarmed ophthalmologists.
Dr. Jiang reminds everyone not to underestimate the use of eye drops. Choosing the right medication is crucial for eye health, and eye drops should always be used under medical supervision to avoid complications from improper use.
**Traditional Chinese Medicine: Daily Use of Eye Drops Can Cause Allergies and Drug Resistance**
Dr. Tian Yue'e from Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine notes that most over-the-counter eye drops contain antibiotics (such as chloramphenicol), which should not be used long-term. Daily use can lead to side effects, allergies, and drug resistance.
Furthermore, some anti-fatigue or health-preserving eye drops have vasoconstrictive effects. It is best to consult a doctor before using them, and daily use is not recommended.
**Joint Recommendations from Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine:**
1. **Even minor issues should be addressed with medical advice.**
Ophthalmologists do not recommend patients self-prescribe eye drops based on advertisements or instructions without consulting a doctor. Even for chronic eye conditions requiring long-term medication, regular ophthalmological consultations and medical guidance are essential.
2. **Use eye drops correctly.**
Before using eye drops, check the drug name, concentration, and expiration date to ensure they match the packaging. Look for any cloudiness, particles, or color changes in the solution. Wash your hands before application, and avoid letting the dropper touch the eyelids or eyelashes. Do not apply drops directly to the cornea (the black part of the eye). If both eyes require medication, treat the healthy eye first, followed by the affected eye. If both eyes are affected, treat the less severe eye first.
Source: http://bbs. sg. com. cn/ showmore. aspx? channelid=3& bbsid=73857