Self care tips

• Dry eye €“ use eye drops as often as necessary. Use eye ointments or liquid gels before going to bed. Avoid rubbing the eyes. Take breaks from using computers
• Infective conjunctivitis €“ avoid rubbing the eyes. Wash hands after touching the eyes. Wash the eyes with boiled, cooled water. Use a cool compress to relieve itching. Avoid sharing towels, etc.
• Irritant conjunctivitis €“ use a humidifier or place a bowl of water by a radiator to prevent the air from drying out and causing irritation. Wear sunglasses to avoid glare. Take regular screen breaks from computers
• Regular eye tests are important as the eyes don't usually hurt when something is wrong. As well as checking vision, eye tests can pick up early signs of eye conditions.

WWHAM questions

Who is it for? It may not be the customer who needs the treatment. Remember that some eye drops are not suitable for use when wearing contact lenses.

What are the symptoms? Finding out about the symptoms, such as if there is any discharge from the eye and what it is like, will help you to establish what may be causing the problem and what the treatment options are.

How long have the symptoms been present? Conditions such as styes and infective conjunctivitis are normally short-lived. Continuous eye problems may be a sign of a more serious problem or infection.

Action already taken? This will help you to establish if the customer has used a product that hasn't helped or wasn't appropriate.

Medication? Refer to the pharmacist customers with medical conditions such as glaucoma or who are taking other medicines.

When to refer to the pharmacist

Dry eye:

• First time sufferer
• Pain in the eye
• No improvement after three days of treatment with an OTC product
• Blurred or disturbed vision.

Infective conjunctivitis:

• If there is no improvement in symptoms after 48 hours of treatment or if symptoms worsen
• Pain in the eyes or visual disturbance
• Customer has glaucoma
• Recurrent conjunctivitis
• Customer is already using eye drops
• Customer has had eye surgery in the last six months
• Children under two years
• Severe oversensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Customer wears contact lenses
• Customer is pregnant or breastfeeding
• Blisters or sore patches
• Severe symptoms.