Understanding

Dry Eyeand how to manage it

What is Dry Eye?

Dry Eye is one of the most common eye disorders in the UK.It happens when tears don’t function as they should do - thenormal function of tears is to keep the surface of the eyes wet and lubricated. If the tears are not good enough you can get a gritty, burning sensation of the eyes that can sometimes disturb vision.

In Dry Eye either:

• The eyes may not be making enough tears

• The tears produced are of poor quality

• The tears evaporate faster than they should

Signs and Symptoms include:

• Dryness

• Excessive watering

• Gritty feeling/foreign body sensations

• Pain

• Blurring of vision

• Redness

• ‘Tired’ eyes

• Photophobia (sensitivity to light)

• Contact lens discomfort

• Irritation from wind/smoke

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes of Dry Eye?

Dry Eye can be caused by a variety of factors including:

• Ageing

• Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)

• Dry environment / pollution

• Computer Use

• Hormonal changes (some treatments for the menopause)

• LASIK surgery

• Preservatives (in eye drops)

• Drinking to much alcohol

• Certain types of medications*

• Dry eye may also be symptom of general health problems or disease e.g. people with arthritis are more prone to Dry Eye.

*Please note: do not stop using prescribed medicines without discussing with your Doctor. Your Optometrist or Doctor can advise of any known links between medicines you are taking and Dry Eye.

(anti-acne, some beta-blockers, oral contraceptives, antihistamines, diuretics, decongestants and anti-depressants)

Dry Eye is due to an imbalance of tears so they can’t lubricate thesurface of the eyes. Tears must be distributed efficiently, replacedor conserved in order to provide relief. One of the most commonways to manage Dry Eye is by artificially supplementing the tearsusing eye drops.

Surprisingly, watery eyes are part of Dry Eye. When too manytears are produced, they tend to be of poor quality and irritate thesurface of the eye further, rather than provide relief. There are avariety of artificial tears available ask your pharmacist/optometristto advise you.

Another option to use instead of or in conjunction with eye dropsis supplements. Growing scientific evidence supports the role ofdietary supplements in the management of Dry Eye.

In severe cases of Dry Eye punctum plugging is also available,where tiny little plugs are put into the tear ducts to prevent thetears draining away.

Not sure if you have Dry Eyes?Try this simple test. Blink twice and thenslowly count the numbers shown below.

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

11 12 13 14 15

If you can’t get to ten without needing toblink again then you may have Dry Eye.

In some cases symptoms can be relieved simply by alteringenvironmental factors. For example, avoiding dehydratingenvironments (such as air conditioning), protecting the eyes fromwind by wearing glasses or sunglasses, drinking the right amountof water to stay hydrated etc. Also, for those who work in anoffice environment or with computers, it is important to takeregular breaks to rest the eyes and blink normally.

How is Dry Eye treated?

Hyabak®

Hyabak® is now a full range consisting of Hyabak® 10ml, Hyabak® Unit Doses and Hyabak® Caps.

Hyabak is a preservative free hypotonic solution designed tomoisturise and lubricate the eyes.

• Hypotonic - to restore the natural balance of the tear film

• Preservative free

• High tolerance

• Easy to squeeze ABAK®

bottle, easy to administer drops

• Handy size, no wastage, economical

• Suitable for regular use

• Suitable for use with contact lenses

• 300 drops per bottle

• Can be used for up to 3 months after opening (10ml bottle)

Now available in

single doses - for those whodon't need to

use veryoften

ABAK® SYSTEMThe most widelyused preservativefree bottle in theworld

Thealoz®

Thealoz® is a preservative free solution designed to hydrateand protect the surface of the eye. It’s key ingredient istrehalose, a natural substance present in many plants andanimals that are able to survive in extremely dry conditions.

Trehalose has properties which protect the eyes and isparticularly suitable for chronic Dry Eye symptoms and peopleexposed to dry environments.

ABAK® SYSTEMThe most widelyused preservativefree bottle in theworld

• Suitable for use with contact lenses

• 300 drops - can be used for up to 2 months after opening

• Preservative Free

• Phosphate Free

• pH neutral - well tolerated

• Adapted for frequent daily use and chronic treatment

• Easy to squeeze ABAK® bottle, easy to administer drops

• Handy size, economical, no wastage - can be used until the very last drop

Thealoz Duo®

The Thealoz Duo® range consists of Thealoz Duo® 10ml, ThealozDuo® Unit Doses and Thealoz Duo® Gel.

Combining the best properties of THEALOZ® and HYABAK®

drops for dry eye symptoms - hydrating, lubricating and alsoprotecting the ocular surface.

ABAK® SYSTEMThe most widelyused preservativefree bottle in theworld

Hyabak Caps® is a food supplement containing fish oils for all

Dry Eye sufferers. It is ideal for those who:

• Need more comfort than drops alone

• Find drops difficult to use

• Have busy lifestyles

• Contact lens wearers

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking any medications, please

consult your GP or Optometrist before use of Hyabak Caps.

Hyabak Caps®

• Preservative free

• 0.15% Hyaluronic Acid lubrication for long lasting relief and 3% Trehalosefor protection

• Hypotonic solution - to restore the natural balance of the tears

• Can be used as often as required

• Suitable for use with contact lenses

• Easy to squeeze ABAK® bottle, easy to administer drops

• Handy size, economical, no wastage - can be used until the very last drop

• 300 drops - can be used for up to 3 months after opening

How to use... Hyabak Caps®

Dosage:.

• Take 2 capsules once a day or 1 capsule twice a day

• These capsules should preferably be taken with a small amount of water during a meal

• DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN 2 CAPSULES A DAY

• Do not use after expiry date clearly marked on the package

Special precautions for storage:

• Store at a temperature below 25ºC• Keep out of light and humidity

Wash hands well before usingeach of these products.

Hyabak®, Thealoz®& Thealoz Duo®

(the ABAK® bottle)• Insert one drop in the pocket of lower eyelid

• Do not touch the eyes or eyelids with the tip of the bottle, especially if you think you may have an eye infection

• Put the cap back on after use

Hyabak UD® & Thealoz Duo UD®

• Take off one single-dose container from the strip

• Open the container and squeeze to release solution

• Insert one drop in the pocket of lower eyelid

• Throw away the container, even if there is some solution left

Thealoz Duo Gel®• Take off one single-dose container from the strip

• Turn upside down and tap the container

• Open the container and squeeze until you see the gel

• Insert one drop in the pocket of lower eyelid

• Throw away the container, even if there is some solution left

Special precautions for storage:• To be stored at a temperature below 25ºC

For more information about Dry Eye or the Dry Eye product range, please contact

RE-ORDER CODE DE009 JULY 2015

“I can’t imagine my life without Thealoz Duo”Alice Swales, Talbot Green

“Thealoz Duo Gel is

better than any other

eye drop i’ve tried”

Liz Clegg, Bristol

“Hyabak is really easy to use and great

if you work on acomputer all day

like I do”Adam Slater, Stockport

Thea Pharmaceuticals LimitedMED IC3 • Keele University Science & Business Park • Keele

Newcastle Under Lyme • ST5 5NP

Head Office: 0845 521 1290 • Medical Information: 0870 192 3283E-Mail: theasupport@theapharma.co.uk www.thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk