Digital Age is a Fright For Sore Eyes. Artelac From Bausch + Lomb Solves Dry Eye Problems Caused by Modern Life

Computer screens, smart phones and air-conditioning are just a few of the modern-day eye-sores which are conspiring to undermine our ocular health.

Alcohol consumption, laser eye surgery and an ageing population are also factors which make dry eye syndrome one of the most common eye problems in the developed world.^[1]

As many as one in three people will suffer dry eye at some time in their lives. It is increasingly common as we get older and women are most likely to experience problems, perhaps in part because it is also linked to fluctuating hormones.

For those who have not experienced dry eye, it may seem a relatively trivial problem. But the combination of discomfort, visual disturbance, grittiness in the eye and disruption to the protective film of tears which guards it, have a significant impact on quality of life.

If left untreated, some experts believe it can descend into a vicious cycle of symptoms as dryness and discomfort promote inflammation, which in turn leads to further pain and problems. There is also an increased risk of lasting damage to the lens of the eye, or cornea.

But now the eye-care specialists Bausch + Lomb —have developed two new products which provide round-the-clock care for this increasingly technology-driven disorder. There is an innovative day and night treatment solution especially created for dry eyes.

To understand just how effective this day and night treatment by Bausch + Lomb is, first we need to explain the composition of tears.

Tears are produced in two almond-shaped lacrimal glands which are tucked under the upper lids. Each gland has between three and 12 ducts which provide a drip-feed of tears. When we blink, the lid pushes these tears across the eye towards two tiny holes in the inner corner of the eye called puncta. These drain into channels, known as canaliculi which connect the eye with the nose.

To ensure our tears don’t evaporate too quickly and are retained long enough to provide a protective film across the eye, another set of glands, known as the meibomian or tarsal glands, secrete a mixture of oil and mucus which accumulates in the grooves between the eyeball and the eyelids. This also stops tears spilling over onto the cheeks.^[2]

This mixture of tears, oil and mucus is called the tear film, and it is important for eye health on several levels:

ü  It traps and flushes out any foreign bodies or chemicals

ü  It contains antibacterial compounds which inhibit the growth of any harmful microorganisms

ü  It acts as a lubricant to reduce surface friction as we blink.^[3]

There is also evidence that proteins within the tear film reduce surface tension and slow the rate of evaporation.^[4]

What most do not realise is that there are also three types of tears, which are:

• Basal tears are the workaday ones which lubricate the eye and contain substances such as lysozyme which combat bacterial infection. On average we produce 0.75 to 1.1 grams (0.03 to 0.04 ounces) a day, but this slows with age.
• Reflex tears, as the name suggests, are produced in response to some sort of challenge. They are designed to flush out irritants such as grit or onion vapours. They can also be triggered by yawning, bright light and eating something hot or peppery.
• Psychic tears are the ones we shed when we are feeling emotional, whether that is happiness, distress, anger, sadness or as a result of physical pain. Chemically, psychic tears are quite different from basal or reflex tears as they contain more protein-based hormones such as prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and leucine enkephalin, which is a natural painkiller.^[5],[6]

Artelac Rebalance has been cleverly designed to provide long lasting moisturisation for the eyes throughout the day and night, and consists of two products:

Artelac Rebalance is designed for day use and provides long lasting, sustained hydration and non-blurring vision for people with recurrent dry, tired and irritated eyes. It contains:

• Hyaluronic Acid – HA is the hydrating agent found in tears.  HA remains viscous and in place when eye is open and becomes more fluid during blinking, as happens with natural tears
• Viscoelactor (PEG 8000) – a unique ingredient which strengthens the film of tears to protect the eyeby increasing the viscosity of HA, prolonging contact time with the eye. But unlike other viscose ingredients it does NOT blur vision.

Artelac Nighttime gel is a high viscosity formulation providing three layers of film stability for overnight comfort, all of which provide lasting hydration. It contains:

• Trigylceride lipids – seals in moisture.
• Carbomer gel – prolongs adhesion to surface of eye.
• Sterile water – to replenish fluid loss.

Commenting on the science behind the new Artelac range, Francesca Marchetti, optician and advisor to WINK –an independent eye care panel from Bausch + Lomb notes: “The science behind Artelac Nighttime Gel is impressive. A clinical trial where 30 patients[7] with dry eye confirmed that the combination of ingredients used in Artelac improves symptoms and, perhaps more importantly, became more effective during the course of the study.[8]

“Similarly, a study in the journal Ophthalmology reported that carbomer gel used in Artelac Nighttime Gel provided “statistically significant improvement” in symptoms including discomfort, dryness and the sensation of having a foreign body in the eye.^[9] While a trial in the American Journal of Opthalmology confirmed lipids provide effective relief from dry eye and improve stability of the protective tear film.^[10]

“The other great news is that because Artelac Rebalance and Artelac Nighttime Gel are designed for day and night use, the formulation addresses symptoms and triggers associated with dry eyes throughout the day and night. So for those people who have dry eye, don’t suffer in silence. I am a real fan of the product duo and I love the fact, that like my skin, I now have a day and night eye care regime that works and tackles dry eye 24/7.”

Artelac Rebalance and Artelac Nighttime Gel is available from independent pharmacies and opticians including McCabe’s, Sam McCauley’s, Bradley’s, Cara Pharmacy, and Health Express. Artelac Rebalance RRP €9.95; Artelac Nighttime Gel RRP €4.95.

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