Latest news with #artificialtears
Forbes
5 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Dr. Ryan Beck: Dry Eye Isn't Going Away Anytime Soon
Dry Eye Disease affects millions of Americans, yet many patients still think the only solution is to grab a bottle of artificial tears from the pharmacy shelf. According to Dr. Ryan Beck, a leading optometrist recently featured on The Dry Eye Podcast by Broadry, the reality is that treatment options have evolved far beyond basic drops—ushering in an era of high-tech, in-office procedures that are transforming patient outcomes. 'We start with simple management tools—over-the-counter drops, nutraceuticals, lid cleansers, and wipes,' Beck says. 'But today, there's an entire spectrum of therapies available that address the root causes of dry eye.' From Restasis to a Full Pharmaceutical Arsenal When Restasis launched in the early 2000s, it was the only FDA-approved prescription option for chronic dry eye. Fast-forward to today, and patients have access to a range of medications that reduce inflammation, improve tear production, and protect the ocular surface. Newer prescription drops are more targeted, faster-acting, and in some cases, better tolerated—giving practitioners more flexibility to tailor treatments. In-Office Devices: Borrowing From Aesthetics Beyond pharmaceuticals, Beck highlights a trend that's crossing over from the beauty and dermatology world. Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy (invented by Dr. Rolando Toyos) originally designed for skin rejuvenation, has become a powerful tool in treating meibomian gland dysfunction, a leading cause of dry eye. By reducing inflammation and improving oil flow in the eyelids, IPL addresses tear film stability at its source. Another innovation: radiofrequency (RF) devices that stimulate collagen production and tighten skin around the eyes. 'A better eyelid seal means a better blink,' Beck explains, 'and that's critical for tear retention.' Photobiomodulation The red-light therapy devices that have exploded in the hair restoration market are also making waves in dry eye treatment. Photobiomodulation appears to boost oil gland function, potentially reducing evaporative dry eye symptoms. Early research is promising, and many clinics are already integrating specific light technology into their treatment menus. Why This Matters Now With dry eye prevalence increasing, due in part to screen-heavy lifestyles, environmental factors, and aging populations, the demand for more effective, lasting treatments is only growing. 'Dry eye isn't going away anytime soon,' says Beck. 'The better we can manage it, the happier our patients will be.' In other words, the future of dry eye care lies in personalization, prevention, and a willingness to embrace technology from unexpected places. And for patients, that means relief is no longer limited to what's on the drugstore shelf.
Forbes
14-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Over 75,000 Cases Of Artificial Tears, Eye Care Products Recalled
BRS Analytical Service, a pharmaceutical testing lab, is voluntarily recalling over 75,000 cases of ... More eye products, including various types of artificial tears, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration enforcement report. (Photo: Getty) You may want to shed some tears for this recall. Some artificial tears that it. BRS Analytical Service, a pharmaceutical testing lab, is voluntarily recalling over 75,000 cases of eye care products, including various types of artificial tears, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration enforcement report. This recall was also announced by AvKare, which distributed these products. This recall affects lots of eye care products. Namely, over 10 lots of five different products: So, if you recognize any of the above products, check their lot numbers and expiry dates. Don't just say, 'I'm going to put this in my eye anyway.' If your product is affected by the recall, return it for a refund or discard it immediately. And discard it doesn't mean discard it into your roommate's eyes, no matter what you think about your roommate. BRS Analytical Service initiated the recall after an FDA audit of the company found a number of deviations from Current Good Manufacturing Practice or cGMP. In this case, cGMP refers to the different things that pharmaceutical manufacturers should do to help ensure that their products have the right amount of purity, quality and safety. This includes procedures to make sure that the products are really, you know, what they are supposed to be. cGMP encompasses stuff ranging from the design of the products and manufacturing systems to checking the products that result. So that means things like getting the right raw materials for the products, putting in place strong quality management systems, making sure that the operations are robust and properly testing the products so that any deviations can be quickly detected before items are shipped. . The FDA did not specify what cGMP was not being followed. However, the FDA enforcement report did indicate that the recall was 'due to a lack of assurance to sterility.' In this case, or in these many cases of eye products, 'sterility' presumably doesn't refer to the eye products ability to reproduce. Instead, sterility means being free from biological contaminants. Getting stuff like bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites into your eyes can lead to a real eye caramba situation. I've written previously in Forbes about how tainted eye drops have led to deaths and eyeballs removed You can get infections and resulting inflammation of different parts of your eye such as: Finally, you know how they say the eyes are the window to your soul. They are also windows to other parts of your body. Your eyes are highly vascularized, meaning that they have a good blood supply, because it help for the eyes to get oxygen so that you can do stuff like see. Therefore, any microbe that goes into your eyes could travel via the blood stream to other parts of your body. So if you've got any artificial tears or other eye care products, check their packages. Make sure that they aren't part of the recall. Unless you happen to be a scallop, you probably have no more than two eyes and want to protect them.
