Eye inflammation

Good English skills are usually helpful when advising foreign-language customers. PTA-Forum has compiled the most important vocabulary, questions and hints on the subject of "reddened eyes".

If eyes suddenly start burning, itching or watering, most people first of all go to a pharmacist and ask for advice. Due to the inflammation, the blood vessels swell and become visible as fine red lines in the white of the eye.

There are many causes for reddened eyes. Sometimes the conjunctiva of the eyes has been strongly irritated by intensive solar radiation, or strong wind or just a long draught, as may be the case with air conditioning. In other cases concentrated, long hours of work at the computer, looking constantly at the monitor, may lead to the phenomenon of »dry eyes«, also called the »sicca syndrome«, which causes burning and reddened eyes too.

There are numerous preparations available for the self-medication of an acute uncomplicated conjunctivitis or the sicca syndrome. Before any medication can be recommended, PTA or the pharmacist needs to ask a few questions.

Important questions for the consultation

• Since when have you had these symptoms?
• Do you have an idea why your eyes are so red and burn?
• Do you notice a secretion in the corners of the eyes when getting up in the morning and are your eyelids sticky?
• Do your eyes feel gritty?
• Do you take any medication regularly?

Additional information

• Use the preparation only for a short period of time and dispose of it when you no longer need it.
• Look up and draw the lower eyelid downwards with one hand when applying the drops.
• Be careful not to touch the eyelid when applying the drops.
• After having used the drops, your vision may be slightly affected for five to ten minutes. During that time you should not be steering a vehicle or operating a machine.
• If you are wearing soft contact lenses, you should not insert these as long as you are using eye drops containing active substances.
• It is better to remove hard lenses before applying the eye drops. You can insert them again after a quarter of an hour at the earliest.
• Please avoid everything that could irritate your eyes additionally, for example cigarette smoke.
• If your condition does not improve considerably in the following few days, please consult a doctor or specialist.