Guest guest Posted March 24, 2003 Report Share Posted March 24, 2003 04/12/2001 EYE DROPS: DANGERS LURK WITHIN By Bill Sardi Your eyes bother you. So you go down to the drug store and buy a bottle of artificial tears. There are so many brands you really don't know which one is best. Or you trust your eye doctor who may prescribe an eye drop for glaucoma or who recommends an over-the-counter eye drop for your dry, red, itchy, burning eyes. To keep the ingredients from spoiling, manufacturers add preservatives. It is these preservatives, even in doses as small as 1/10th of 1 percent, that are a cause for concern. Preservatives benzalkonium chloride, Tween and thimerosal (contains mercury) are toxic to the surface of the eyes (cornea). [Journal Toxicology, Cutaneous & Ocular Toxicology 10: 157-66, 1991] When a very dilute solution of thimerosal (0.0005%) is applied to corneal cells grown in a laboratory, all of the cells die within one hour. [American Journal Optometry Physiological Optics 65: 867-73, 1988] These preservatives enter the blood circulation via the tear drains located in the eyelids where they are absorbed through the nasal passages. While people instill eyedrops for relief of dry eyes, benzalkonium chloride actually promotes dry eye, numbs the surface of the eyes, causes inflammation, excites allergy reactions, breaks down the oily layer of the tear film and promotes swelling. Dry spots can be observed sooner on the surface of the eyes in patients who use glaucoma drops that contain benzalkonium chloride. Preservative-free eye drops reduce irritating symptoms by 60 percent. [Graefe's Archives Clinical Ophthalmology 232: 221-24, 1994] Even though benzalkonium chloride is provided in tiny amounts in eye drops, only 4/100th of 1% to 1/10th of 1%, these concentrations are toxic to the cornea and can result, with chronic used of preserved eye drops, in the need to surgically replace the cornea (transplant operation). [American Journal Ophthalmology 105: 670-73, 1988] Ironically, benzalkonium chloride may cause chronic eye inflammation that may, over time, cause the fluid drain of the eye to clog up with debris, which can result in glaucoma. Since eye drops used to treat glaucoma are preserved with benzalkonium chloride, the very medication used to treat the disease may cause it!! And if a glaucoma filtering surgery is performed, the continued use of these preserved eye drops may promote the failure of the operation! [investigative Ophthalmology 33: 2233-41, 1992] European researchers frankly state: " Preservation of artificial tears with benzalkonium chloride should be abandoned. " " Graefe's Archives Ophthalmology 229: 147-49, 1991] By hermetically sealing eye drops into single-dose packettes, there is no need for preservatives. Look for preserative-free eye drops. Postscript: The eye drops that are advertised " to get the red out, " which contain ingredients that constrict blood vessels, have been found to reduce the natural flow of tears by 71 percent for up to 6 hours after instillation. [Graefe's Archives Ophthalmology 229: 147-49, 1991] http://www.billsardi.com/sdm.asp?pg=news & specific=33 The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO " Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen " Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future " http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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