Looking after your eyes is vital to a healthy lifestyle. Even if you have never worn contact lenses or glasses, we stock several bestselling eye drops such as Blink, Hycosan, and our cost-effective own-brand, everclear, to stave off dry eyes and keep your eyes hydrated and comfortable for longer.
Aside from visiting an optician regularly, there are several ways you can help maintain healthy eyes. If you're a contact lens wearer, keeping your lenses clean and fresh is vital to maintaining your comfort as well as clear vision. This is especially important for monthly and weekly lenses, which need a thorough cleaning and storing routine with solution each night so that they stay safe and comfortable to wear.
Washing your eyelids is another great way to ensure your eyes stay in the best of health. Over the course of the day, it's easy for dirt and debris to get caught in your eyes or for small protein deposits to build up. Eye wipes or washes can be used to give your eyes a thorough clean and make sure that they're ready if you're going to apply lenses.
If you find that your eyes are feeling uncomfortable during the day it's a good idea to use eye drops, spray or another kind of eye wash to help soothe them. If they remain irritated, you should visit a doctor or ophthalmologist to make sure it's not a symptom of something more serious.
Products to keep your eyes healthy
There are a wide range of different types of eye drops on the market, some of which are ideal for treating itchy or dry eyes. They often use natural formulas to help soothe them and leave your eyes feeling fresh and comfortable for the rest of the day.
Dry eye treatments range from eye drops to sprays and wipes and are designed to treat dry and irritated eyes. These products often come in small bottles or simple, single-use vials so they're easy to transport in a pocket or bag, meaning that it doesn't matter where you are, you can always enjoy comfortable eyes.
Eye vitamins: Nutrients such as lutein, zeaxanthin and Vitamins A, C and E have all been shown to be beneficial towards the general well-being of your eyes. Taking eye vitamins regularly is a great way to ensure that you're getting a good dose of these helpful nutrients and that your eyes are in peak condition.
Eye wash and sprays: When using eye drops or a gel is a little bit impractical, an eye spray or eye wash is a great alternative. They're easy to apply and will provide you with the same soothing and refreshing feeling that's perfect for treating dry or irritated eyes.
Vision Direct stocks a comprehensive range of eye care products covering lubricating eye drops, eyelid hygiene products, eye vitamins and supplements, eye wash solutions, and dry eye treatments. Leading brands include Hycosan, Clinitas, Blink, Systane, Artelac, Thealoz, Thea Pharmaceuticals, Bausch + Lomb, and everclear. All eye care products can be ordered online with next-day delivery available with free delivery on orders over £59.
Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears produced evaporate too quickly, leaving the ocular surface insufficiently lubricated. Common causes include prolonged screen use, air conditioning, certain medications, hormonal changes, contact lens wear, and ageing. Symptoms include grittiness, burning, watering, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. Most mild cases respond well to lubricating eye drops from brands including Hycosan, Clinitas, Blink, and Systane. Persistent symptoms benefit from a formal assessment by an optometrist.
Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which the eyes don't produce enough tears, or the tears produced evaporate too quickly, leaving the ocular surface insufficiently lubricated. Common causes include prolonged screen use, air conditioning, certain medications, hormonal changes, contact lens wear, and ageing. Symptoms include grittiness, burning, watering, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. Most mild cases respond well to lubricating eye drops. Persistent symptoms benefit from a formal assessment by an optometrist, who can identify whether an underlying condition such as meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis is contributing.
Yes, some eye drops are specifically formulated for use during lens wear. Check the label: many preservative-free drops and drops marked as contact lens compatible can be used directly over soft lenses. Products such as Blink Contacts, Hycosan Extra, and Systane Ultra can be applied while wearing soft lenses. Drops containing preservatives, thick gels, or those not labelled as lens-compatible should be applied before inserting lenses or at least 15 minutes after removing them.
PreserVision Lutein Soft Gels and PreserVision Original Soft Gels are among the most clinically supported eye supplements available, based on the landmark AREDS and AREDS2 (Age-related eye studies) which found specific combinations of lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc significantly linked to a reduced risk of progression to advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Eye drops are instilled directly into the open eye: typically one to two drops at a time, to lubricate, soothe, or medicate the ocular surface. Eye wash solutions flush the eye with a larger volume of sterile fluid to remove debris, irritants, or foreign bodies. Eye sprays offer an alternative to drops for wearers who struggle to instil drops accurately: they're applied to the closed eyelid and work by penetrating through the lashes onto the ocular surface. The right product depends on your symptoms and whether you wear contact lenses: your optician can advise.
