Revive tired dry eyes; safely clear ears of wax buildup

Some patients need help to improve the appearance of puffiness and dark circles in the eye area. Others may be looking for relief from worrisome fine lines and crow’s feet. And some may be experiencing burning, itchy, reddened eyes. Do you have what they need? Here are some options.

For tired eyes

Burt’s Bees Sensitive Eye Cream, a lightweight, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic cream used under the eye, is formulated with cotton, eyebright, and olive fruit oil to help sustain moisture and reduce the appearance of puffiness, hydrating and smoothing the delicate skin around the eye. (burtsbees.com)

REN Vita Mineral Active 7 Eye Gel is a light cooling gel that can reduce puffy eyes and dark circles. The gel contains arnica flavonoids, rose anthocyanins, and vitamin P to help alleviate redness; its Rumex extract (from a plant related to Canadian field dock) reduces the production of melanin and hemoglobin, causes of hyperpigmentation; pectins and hyaluronic bioextracts help to hydrate the skin. Store the gel in the refrigerator for a greater cooling effect. (feelunique.com).

Just Natural Anti-Aging Eye Serum provides nutrients to nourish and protect delicate skin that is prone to fine lines. Camellia seed, argan oils, and antioxidants contained in the serum are useful in slowing the aging process, the manufacturer says. This product contains no mineral oil, petrolatum, silicone, artificial fragrance, or artificial color. (justnaturalskincare.com)

For dry eyes and more

In April, Prestige Brands Holdings Inc. introduced a new line of preservative-free drops in a multidose bottle: Clear Eyes Pure Relief for Dry Eyes  and Clear Eyes Pure Relief Multi-Symptom. The bottle has a built-in purifying filter at its tip that blocks bacteria and allows only a one-way flow of fluid during dispensing. The multisymptom artificial tears are formulated to treat eyes that are dry, red, itchy, and irritated. (cleareyes.com)

Blink Tears Lubricating Eye Drops by Abbott Laboratories can help relieve mild-to-moderate dry eye by replenishing the tear film and improving tear film stability. Patients who cannot tolerate any preservative can try Blink Tears Preservative Free Lubricating Eye Drops , available in sterile, single-use vials. For more severe dry eye, patients can turn to Blink Gel Tears Lubricating Eye Drops, which has a more viscous formula for moderate-to-severe dry eye sufferers. (abbottmedicaloptics.com/products)

Another eye gel, Refresh Optive Gel Drops Extended Therapy, is a new addition to the Refresh brand. Indicated for burning, irritation, and discomfort due to dryness of the eye or exposure to wind or sun, the extended therapy gel drops are said to significantly reduce dry-eye symptoms after only seven days’ use. The gel contains carboxymethylcellulose sodium 1% and glycerin 0.9%, and is safe enough to use as often as necessary, according to Allergan, its manufacturer. (refreshbrand.com)

Similasan USA offers Allergy Eye Relief, Aging Eye Relief, and Complete Eye Relief drops to help relieve allergy symptoms, dry eye, and redness, burning, watering, and grittiness, respectively. The Allergy Eye Relief drops use natural botanical extracts such as honeybee extract, eyebright, and Sabadilla lily instead of vasoconstrictors to help stimulate the immune system to alleviate symptoms. The Aging Eye Relief drops are formulated with cineraria maritima, a botanical extract, to help maintain a clear crystalline lens, and herb-of-grace to temporarily relieve dryness. The Complete Eye Relief drops are formulated for multisymptom relief and are gentle enough to be used whenever symptoms occur. (similasanusa.com)

Bausch & Lomb’s Alaway Eye Itch Relief drops provide fast, long-lasting relief for itchy eyes irritated by ragweed, pollen, grass, animal hair, and dander with the active ingredient ketotifen 0.025%. The drops are approved for use in adults and children 3 years and older. Inactive ingredients include benzalkonium chloride 0.01%, glycerin, hydrochloric acid, water, and/or sodium hydroxide. (alaway.com)

Earwax removal

From McKeon Products Inc., Mack’s ProRinse Earwax Removal Kit  offers what the manufacturer describes as a new tri-stream rinse tip and a steady-flow bellows syringe. The easy-to-use syringe, designed for adults and children over 12 years of age, works as follows. After complete compression of the bellows syringe, the blue tip should be inserted into lukewarm water and the pressure on the syringe should be released, drawing water up into the syringe bellow.Upon insertion of the syringe into the ear opening, compression of the bellows releases water, rinsing the ear canal. The kit includes carbamide peroxide drops, an ear-wash rinse tub, and earplugs that hold in the drops during treatment. (www.macksearplugs.com)

Murine Ear Wax Removal Drops with a new Sof Tip Dispenser, by Prestige Brands, is a carbamide peroxide ear-wax removal device with a flexible and angled tip. For easy irrigation of the ear canal, about five to 10 drops should be placed into the ear; insertion of the tip into the canal should be avoided. For any remaining wax, the ear can be flushed with a soft bulb syringe. The Murine Ear Drops can be used twice daily over a four-day period. (prestigebrands.com)

Ototek Loop, an ear wax removal device, was designed by Dr. Scot Estrem, an ear specialist and faculty member of the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine. Its design was based on the tools that doctors use to remove ear wax. The device should be used only on adults and teens age 16 and older. (ototekloop.com)