Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

Eye Drops: Dangers Lurk Within!

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

Guest guest

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!

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...