น้ำตาเทียมกับประโยชน์ที่มากกว่าการรักษาตาแห้ง

<p><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Dry Eye Disease (DED)</strong></span> is a condition found in approximately 5-50% of the general population, depending on age, gender, and ethnicity. According to the 2017 workshop of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society International Dry Eye Workshop (TFOS DEWS II), <span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>‘Dry Eye Disease’</strong></span> is defined as&#8230; a disease caused by an imbalance of tears along with ocular symptoms, which include:</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Tear film instability and hyperosmolarity</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ocular surface inflammation and damage</li>
<li aria-level="1">Neurosensory abnormalities, which are the main cause of dry eye disease</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>When having dry eye disease</strong></span>, it causes discomfort, fatigue, and abnormal vision, significantly affecting quality of life. Currently, there is no treatment that can restore the natural tear production process to normal.</p>
<p><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>‘Artificial tears’</strong></span> help increase tear volume and are a popular treatment for dry eye disease because they are safe, easy to use, available in various formulas, and have low side effects or risks.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Types of Artificial Tears</span><strong><br />
</strong></h2>
<p>Most artificial tears available on the market are classified as medical devices or medicines that can be purchased over the counter or at pharmacies without a doctor&#8217;s prescription. Artificial tears are divided into 3 groups based on their reaction to the eyes, including:</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Wetting agents</strong></span> that help lubricate the eyes and remain in the eyes for a limited time</li>
<li><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Multiple-action tear substitutes</strong></span> that improve tear quality and increase tear volume without affecting the ocular surface</li>
<li><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Ocular surface modulators</strong></span> that directly affect the ocular surface and help reduce dry eye symptoms</li>
</ol>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Other Eye Conditions Treated with Artificial Tears<strong><br />
</strong></span></h2>
<p>Besides being used to treat dry eyes and the ocular surface, artificial tears are also used to treat other eye conditions, including:</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #00826a;">Corneal abrasion and wound healing</span></strong> (Corneal Abrasion and Wound Healing)<br />
Corneal abrasions may result from foreign bodies, injuries, chemicals, or ingrown eyelashes, causing eye pain, redness, tearing, and light sensitivity, which&#8230;</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Artificial tears help heal the outer layer of the eye surface</li>
<li aria-level="1">Preservative-free artificial tears provide better treatment results and are better tolerated by patients</li>
<li aria-level="1">Most artificial tears contain hydrogels, which are water-based gels that swell and do not dissolve in water. Hydrogels help stimulate and enhance wound healing on the corneal surface</li>
</ul>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-137974" src="https://pyt-storage.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9E-1.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="745" /></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-48324 aligncenter" src="https://pyt-storage.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/01.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Figure 1: Lower eyelid eyelashes that poke the cornea may cause corneal abrasion or inflammation</p>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Pain and Inflammation Management</span></h2>
<p>Using artificial tears combined with cold compresses helps reduce inflammation of the episcleral layer (episcleritis) after corneal surgery, such as laser eye surgery (Photorefractive Keratectomy: PRK). Preservative-free artificial tears help reduce discomfort after surgery and speed up visual recovery. Additionally, chilled artificial tears reduce corneal and conjunctival sensitivity, with 4 degrees Celsius being the most comfortable temperature. However, in some patients, artificial tears may not relieve discomfort.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Conjunctivitis</strong></span></h2>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Allergic conjunctivitis causes itching, watery discharge, swollen eyelids and conjunctiva. Artificial tears and cold compresses help reduce these symptoms. If symptoms do not improve, other medications should be considered.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Viral conjunctivitis (not caused by herpes) causes red eyes, discomfort, and tearing. Artificial tears have been found to reduce symptoms as effectively as steroid eye drops and NSAID anti-inflammatory eye drops.</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-137975" src="https://pyt-storage.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9E-2.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="811" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Figure 2: Viral conjunctivitis showing redness and swelling</p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Bacterial conjunctivitis causes red eyes, discomfort, sticky discharge, and crusting on the eyelids. It usually resolves on its own. Using artificial tears provides comfort and helps clean the eyes. If symptoms persist after 3-4 days, antibiotic eye drops should be used for further treatment.</li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Keratitis</span></h2>
<p>Corneal inflammation can be caused by various factors such as herpes, bacteria, fungi, contact lenses, UV light, dry eye disease, and photokeratitis. Artificial tears alone are recommended for dry eye disease and photokeratitis. For other causes of keratitis, treatment should be combined with specific therapies according to the cause.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-48322 aligncenter" src="https://pyt-storage.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/03.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" /></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-137976" src="https://pyt-storage.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/%E0%B8%A0%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9E-3.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="811" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Figure 3: Corneal inflammation from dry eye disease. The special stain shows raised spots of inflammation on the central horizontal corneal surface.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Artificial Tears Help Rewet Contact Lenses and Ease Removal</span></h2>
<p>Using preservative-free artificial tears lubricates the eyes, providing comfort and keeping contact lenses moist during wear. After use, contact lenses often dry and stick tightly to the eyes. Artificial tears reduce friction between the contact lenses and cornea, making removal easier.</p>
<h2><span style="color: #00826a;">Foreign Body Removal</span></h2>
<p>Foreign bodies on the cornea cause irritation, tearing, blurred vision, and redness. Loosely attached foreign bodies may be removed by rinsing the eyes with medical saline (normal saline) or artificial tears.</p>
<p>After removing foreign bodies, besides using antibiotic and pain-relief eye drops, artificial tears remain essential for continuous use to help heal the outer layer of the eye or cornea.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-48321 aligncenter" src="https://pyt-storage.sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/04.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Figure 4: Black eyeliner ink loosely attached in the lower conjunctival sac, which may be washed out with artificial tears</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Dr. Natamon Srisamran</strong></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: right;">Glaucoma Specialist</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">Eye Center, Phyathai 1 Hospital</div>
</div>


Artificial tears help treat dry eyes and diseases of the ocular surface, corneal abrasions, corneal wounds, conjunctivitis, or keratitis. They also help make it easier to put in and remove contact lenses.

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