| Tis the season.... there is a glut of patients with | | | | not mentioning it to you!! |
| symptoms related to seasonal allergies. Of course, | | | | You may want to take some steps in educating |
| patients seem to be talking about red, itchy eyes | | | | your patients regarding the advantages of such |
| as their primary symptom, while you may be | | | | prescription drops as Pataday, which is a |
| hearing more about systemic and respiratory | | | | once-a-day drop, that attacks several pathways |
| symptoms. | | | | of the allergic reaction. It is more effective and |
| Some interesting statistics have come out. | | | | longer lasting than the over the counter (OTC) |
| According to the Consumer Healthcare Products | | | | eye drops, and will be less expensive for the |
| Association: | | | | chronic user! And the occasional patient who has |
| - About 73 percent of consumers would rather | | | | particularly aggressive allergic conjunctivitis, topical |
| treat themselves than see a doctor. | | | | steroids may be of use. These patients may |
| - A majority (62 percent) say they would like to | | | | benefit from Alrex or a stronger steroid drop, but |
| self-treat more in the future. | | | | must be monitored closely for elevated |
| - Nearly all (96 percent) say they are generally | | | | intra-ocular pressure. This is where the input of an |
| confident about their health care decisions. | | | | eye care provider is crucial. When a patient is on |
| With that in mind, you may want to ask your | | | | steroid drops, they must have pressure checks |
| patients specifically about the use of such | | | | fairly frequently. So called 'steroid responders' |
| Over-The-Counter (OTC) eyedrops as Visine-AC, | | | | may even need temporary glaucoma treatment |
| or Naphcon-A. You may be surprised to find that | | | | until the steroids are discontinued. |
| a large number of them are self medicating, and | | | | |