Advising your customer
ADVISING YOUR CUSTOMER
You can provide advice to your customer to help prevent dry eye.
> Test your knowledge by considering whether the advice shown below is true or false.2
| YOUR CUSTOMER CAN PREVENT DRY EYE BY: | TRUE | FALSE |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding too much alcohol and smoking | ||
| Spending long periods in smoky, dusty and dry environments | ||
| Spending long periods in air conditioned or heated rooms | ||
| Using a humidifier to stop the air getting dry | ||
| Cleaning eyelids daily | ||
| Avoiding breaks when watching TV or looking at a computer | ||
| Making sure the computer screen is just below eye level | ||
| Wearing contact lenses for long periods |
CUSTOMER SCENARIO MANAGING VICTOR’S DRY EYES
> Work through the following customer scenario to test your knowledge on dry eyes.
35-year-old Victor wears daily contact lenses and recently his eyes have felt very dry and irritated. He experienced this last winter and used sodium hyaluronate 0.1% eye drops. They helped at the time, but his eyes feel worse this year.
After asking whether anything else has changed in his daily routine, you learn that he has started a new computer-based job, which involves commuting on the Underground (he comments on how polluted London has become). He doesn’t drink much alcohol but does smoke occasionally.
What factors could contribute to Victor’s dry eyes?
Daily contact lens use - Advise him to take breaks from his lenses and use his glasses instead
Winter - The dry, cold air can be irritating, and he is more likely to be exposed to central heating at home, in the office and during his commute
Increased screen time at work - Remind him to take screen breaks and make sure his computer is placed correctly with good lighting4
Commuting in polluted environments - Consider alternate routes into work or using protective eyewear
Smoking - You should talk to him about quitting; not only is it worsening his dry eye but it has other health consequences too.
You recommend the VizOpti Preservative Free Dry Eyes eye drops as they are suitable for moderate and severe dry eyes, are contact lens-friendly and use suitable for both dry eye and digital eye strain sufferers.
You advise Victor how to correctly use the eye drops.
> Click through the carousel to see the directions for use for these eye drops.
EYE DROPS - Directions for use
STEP 1
Tilt your head backwards.
STEP 2
Using your index finger, gently pull down your lower eye lid to form a pocket.
STEP 3
Gently squeeze 1 to 2 drops into the eye pocket. Don't let the bottle touch your eye or eye lid (to prevent contamination of the bottle).
STEP 4
Blink several times to cleanse the eye.
STEP 5
Dab any excess drops or tears with a tissue.
REPEAT STEPS 1-5
Repeat for the other eye as necessary.
Replace cap after use.
May be used while wearing contact lenses.
Victor comments on how simple this pump is to use compared to other options he has been offered in the past.
You tell Victor that if he is using any other eye drops or ointments, he should leave about ten minutes between applying each one. It is usually recommended to use drops containing sodium hyaluronate last. This allows it to stay in contact with the eye and lubricate it for as long as possible.7
You invite him to come back if needs any more help.