Understanding and Avoiding Overuse of Eye Drops

Do you frequently use eye drops to relieve dry or itchy eyes? If you’re reaching for that little bottle a little more often, you might wonder if it’s possible to use it frequently. Much like any other healthcare product, eye drops can be misused or overused. Let’s learn more about eye drop overuse in today’s post from Vienna Eyecare Center.

The Dangers of Overusing Eye Drops

The overuse of eye drops can create a cycle of dependency; you might have a craving for the soothing effect of the drops. Dependency can lead to a form of addiction to eye drops, with one of the signs involving being extremely irritable when the soothing effect wears off. 

Another risk of using eye drops excessively is masking eye-related symptoms and potentially delaying the diagnosis of a more severe underlying condition. For instance, the itchiness of your eyes might not be due to strain or a sudden gust of wind — it could mean you have sore eyes or an eye injury that requires an optometrist’s immediate attention.

Only Use Eye Drops As Intended

Like all healthcare products, there’s a right way to use eye drops. Always follow the instructions on the packaging or those given by your eye doctor. They usually recommend drops to be used a certain number of times a day and these instructions should be followed strictly.

Furthermore, train yourself to not reach for eye drops when you feel something is itchy between your tear ducts and eyes. First, try to splash it with water and see if you can find relief from the itchiness. If the itchiness doesn’t go away, apply your eye drops once and see what happens. If the symptoms persist, then head to an eye doctor right away for help.

For your eye care needs, turn to Vienna Eyecare Center. Call us at (703) 938-7633, or fill out this contact form to set your appointment.