June is Fireworks Eye Safety Month, and with 4^th of July just a few days away, stressing safety to patients is imperative. Fireworks have been linked to more than 9,000 injuries a year, so reminding them that fireworks are not toys can help prevent serious eye injuries. But even with caution advised, it is even more important to keep an eye on your patients’ changing eye health.

Activities, like watching fireworks, hiking, swimming, boating or even driving with the windows down, can become difficult when dry, itchy, red, burning eyes get in the way. Most believe these symptoms are something that they just have to deal with, whether it comes with age or the seasonal changes. It is important for eye care professionals to recognize these common issues as signs of occasional dry eye.

The Problem

Occasional dry eye affects nearly 3.2 million women and just over 1.8 million men over the age of 50, but younger generations are starting to experience symptoms at earlier ages. These irritations can impede in daily life, making it difficult to perform certain tasks or enjoy summertime activities. Eye doctors have begun to recognize occasional dry eye as one of the main reasons patients steer away from contact lenses. There is often a delay between patients noticing and reporting symptoms because many do not realize that red, itchy, or tired eyes are not just another seasonal irritant.

The Causes

There are many causes for occasional dry eye, and any of the three layers of the tear film could be causing the issues. Specifically, in the summer, the heat and dryness combination can cause some particularly uncomfortable conditions, leading to a higher possibility of developing occasional dry eye. Windy conditions, as with boating or driving with the windows down, and smoke from bonfires can increase symptoms as well.

The Solution

Because patients do not realize they could be experiencing occasional dry eye, it is up to eye care professionals to not only identify the changes in eye health, but have solutions to the problem. Nutrition can help ease the symptoms associated with occasional dry eye, and an eye health nutraceutical can give patients the nutrients necessary to alleviate their suffering. EyePromise® EZ Tears™ offers quality ingredients designed to support vision from the inside out and help people live every day with greater clarity and focus, including:

1. Omega-3s (EPA & DHA) — Fatty acids from fish are vital and lacking in the typical diet; they are significant structural components of tissue cell membranes throughout the body; DHA is rich in the brain and retina and supports healthy vision.
2. Vitamin A — Fat-soluble vitamin (absorbed by the body with the help of fats) for corneal surface health; mucosal, conjunctival, Meibomian, and lacrimal gland health; major importance in the mucous layer of tear production.
3. Vitamin D3 — Fat-soluble vitamin deficient in the American diet; supports immune health, joint health, muscle health and more.
4. Vitamin E — Fat-soluble vitamin helps support eye health by protecting Omega-3 fatty acid formulas from compounds found in a healthy diet.
5. Evening Primrose Oil with GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) — shown to favorably affect symptoms of occasional dry eye.
6. Turmeric Root Extract — Includes curcumin and is important to support the health of the ocular surface.
7. Green Tea Leaf Extract — Provides antioxidant effects in ocular tissues to support eye health.
8. Mixed Tocopherols/Tocotrienols — Important for reducing the effect of compounds that can contribute to occasional dry eye.

The Proof

Both patients and doctors experience incredible success with EZ Tears. Dr. John Rabins has had positive outcomes with the nutraceutical, saying, “Patients (and my staff) are reporting that their eyes are doing better after a very short time on [EZ Tears]. In fact, one tells me his eyes feel so much better on EZ Tears that he’s stopped [using prescription eye drops].” Some patients have even noticed improvement one week after starting an EZ Tears regimen.

“My new ophthalmologist recommended I try [EZ Tears]. Even she was skeptical when first recommending them to her patients, but now is sold on the product. I noticed improvement in less than a week after starting. I have dealt with [occasional dry eye] for 30+ years, especially since cataract surgery two years ago. I have used [prescription eye drops] for over 10 years; had punctual plugs placed twice; tried nearly every OTC eye drop made; and taken flax, fish oil and vitamin D. For me, this product is a miracle.”

- Dean S.

You might be thinking, “Alright, but that’s just one patient. How do I know if EZ Tears will work for my patients, too? And in that short of time?” Drs. Sean Mulqueeny, Robert Davis, William Townsend and Bruce Koffler completed the Ocular Nutrition Impact on Tear Film (ONIT) study to test the improvements of patients in an 8-week span of EZ Tears supplementation. In short, the study results showed that participants showed improvement in as little as one week, with over 80% of participants noticing significant relief by the end of the study. For more information, download the whole study.