Dry eyes are directly attributable to environmental factors and the gradual graying of society, explains Jonathan Wasserman, Alcon Canada's director of marketing. Given that the symptoms of dry eye are readily treatable with OTC preparations, such as Alcon's Tears Naturale, pharmacists are on the front line in the identification of potential dry eye sufferers. At the other end of the generational scale, kids are particularily vulnerable to sore eyes caused by an allergy, bacteria or a virus, explains Terry Hamer, brand manager for Warner Lambert's Polysporin. That's children up to age 13, who rub their eyes frequently when allergy strikes, or pick up contagious pink eye by sharing items from someone already infected. Taking the long view, however, Kadish believes the category's future is more difficult to read.
Chronic sufferers are more likely to be given prescription medication.
The first thing a pharmacist should look for with any eye problem is itching, advises Kam Tse, a Vancouver allergist. That's the cardinal symptom indicating the possible presence of infection. Remember, Tse adds, that although antihistamine tablets work well for nasal symptoms, they are less effective for eyes. We're a high-counselling store. No customer stands at the eye section for more than a minute before we assist them.