Hate taking eye drops? Try a heated mask or a spray instead

From dry eyes to serious sight conditions that can lead to blindness, such as age- related macular degeneration (AmD), eye problems plague millions in the UK each year.

Indeed, a recent report showed threequarters of us suffered poor eye health in the past 12 months, and while there is now a raft of products to help, from drops, heated masks and sprays, how can we know which ones are worth trying?

We asked eye expert Dr maryam Zamani, an oculoplastic surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic, to assess some of the latest products, then we rated them.

All are available from High Street chemists unless stated otherwise.

THE EYE DOCTOR CLICK AND GO

£7.49, the-body-doctor.com THIS reusable heated mask is placed over the eyes to help relieve blepharitis, a common condition where the eyelids become sore, red and swollen as a result of a bacterial infection or the glands in the eye getting blocked by a build- up of oil or dead skin.

You click a metal disk in the mask to activate a reaction between various chemicals inside, causing it to heat up instantly and stay warm for 20 minutes. EXPERT VERDICT: We recommend a warm compress to reduce eye irritation and soothe dry eyes and blepharitis. It works by softening the oil in the glands so it flows into and lubricates the eye.

But you don’t necessarily need this gadget, you could just as easily — and for free — use a clean cloth soaked in warm water. Boil water first to make sure it’s sterile, allow to cool slightly then soak the cloth and place on eyes for 15 minutes. This may even be better, as the moisture can ease pain and clear any dead skin that may be irritating the eyelids. 3/5

OCUVITE MAX SUPPLEMENT

£18.99 for 30 sachets ACCorDIng to the manufacturer, this supplement is formulated to ‘help maintain normal vision’ by providing high levels of nutrients it claims we can’t get from diet alone. You simply sprinkle the contents of a sachet on to food to enhance its nutritional content. It contains vitamins C and E, lutein and zinc, which have been shown in an independent study to slow down the progression of AmD, when abnormal blood vessels form in the eye and damage the macula — the part of the eye responsible for central vision. This causes a central blind spot and blurred sight, which worsens over time. EXPERT VERDICT: There’s good scientific data to show the right vitamins and minerals can delay the progression of AmD, but only in the high doses used in research trials, such as the ArEDS study. The amounts in this product are much lower so we can’t assume it will be as effective. And while the product doesn’t claim specifically to slow the progression of AmD, it could give false hope.

other products contain the exact amounts used in the reputable ArEDS study — for example, Viteyes 2 (£ 48, 180 capsules,

viteyes. co. uk) — but patients should check with their gP before taking them because high- dose vitamins can interfere with some medications. 2/5

EYELERGY EYE DROPS

£9.90 for 20, eyelergy.co.uk DESIgnED to combat eye irritation caused by hay fever and allergic reactions, the active ingredient carbomer forms a thin layer across the eye, which the manufacturer claims will both flush out and physically shield the eyes from such allergens as pollen and pet dander. EXPERT VERDICT: Studies have found that carbomer is very effective at soothing eyes for long periods of time by forming a lubricating and protective film, but it is unclear how these drops block allergies completely. This is, however, a gentle product that even children and contact-lens wearers can safely use, as it doesn’t have any ingredients that could damage the lenses. 4/5

SKIN SHOP DRY EYE GEL

£7.95, skinshop.co.uk YoU apply this gel around the eyes to calm red, itchy and dry skin during an allergic reaction. It contains the plant extract cardiospermum, which the manufacturer says has antiinflammatory effects.

EXPERT VERDICT: Animal studies have suggested that cardiospermum can alleviate the symptoms of dry skin, but there is no evidence of a similar benefit for humans.

This is an oK choice if you want a natural product for short-term relief, but there are cheaper and more effective options, such as hydrocortisone 0.5pc cream (around £2.75). 3/5

SUPERDRUG EYE WASH

£2.99 for 110ml THIS claims to soothe eyes by washing out any irritants. It contains witch hazel and boric acid.

You pour the solution into the pot provided, then place your eye over the pot and slowly raise your head with your eye open so the wash flows into it. Then gently rock your head from side to side for at least 30 seconds. EXPERT VERDICT: This is a great budget-buy with simple ingredients — boric acid is common in eye baths for its mildly antibiotic effect and its soothing properties.

It can be used by anyone suffering from irritated eyes. Just be sure to clean the pot before and after each use. 5/5

EYE LOGIC SPRAY RELIEF

£12.95, beautynaturals.com THIS is sprayed on to closed eyelids to soothe dry eyes. The active ingredient is sodium lecithin, which helps replenish tear production and prevents moisture evaporating. EXPERT VERDICT: The idea is that when you open the eyes, the lubricating chemicals enter and spread across the surface as you blink, gently creating a new protective oily film. It’s been clinically proven to work and is good for people who struggle to put drops directly into their eyes. However, warm eye compresses and artificial tears will have a similar beneficial effect and are cheaper. 3/5

HOMEDICS EYE REVIVE

£15, amazon.co.uk THIS pen-like battery powered gadget massages the skin around tired eyes, improving blood flow and encouraging fluid that can cause puffiness to be carried away by the lymphatic system (which clears waste from the body), according to the manufacturer.

It uses vibration to enhance circulation and can be used with your favourite eye cream to help increase its absorption. gently apply the end to your skin in circular motions. EXPERT VERDICT: While no trials have been carried out using these gadgets, sonic vibration has been found to enhance lymphatic drainage, improve circulation and reduce eye puffiness.

So if you prefer the idea of a pampering gadget to simply using your fingertips, this may be the product for you. But it’s obviously cheaper to do it manually — just massage the skin around your eyes in circular motion from the inner corner outwards, under and above the eye. 4/5

OPTICROM ALLERGY DROPS

£5.99 for 20 THESE drops are designed to relieve irritated eyes caused by allergies in just two minutes.

They contain sodium cromoglicate, a chemical that stops the body releasing histamine, which is responsible for allergic reactions that make eyes itchy, swollen and runny. You apply one or two drops in each eye four times a day when you have symptoms. EXPERT VERDICT: This is an excellent product. multiple studies have shown that topical antihistamines such as sodium cromoglicate can improve the symptoms associated with allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies).

It is also preservative-free unlike many drops, which is good as those additives can further irritate the eye. But they can’t be used by contact-lens wearers as they can damage the contact lens or make it sticky. 5/5

HYCOSAN NIGHT OINTMENT

£8.95 for 5g A nIgHTTImE ointment for dry eye disease — which can be triggered by air conditioning, as a side-effect of certain medication, or by excess screen time — the active ingredient in this is sodium hyaluronate, which promises to soothe dry, itchy eyes while you sleep by improving the tear film — the outer oily layer that stops tears evaporating and eyes drying out.

It’s applied into the lower eyelid in a thin strip at night, because its thick consistency causes slight vision impairment. EXPERT VERDICT: This is a very good product and there’s clinical evidence that the ingredients can help with dry eye disease.

I like the fact this can be applied at night and may also be used to heal a corneal abrasion (a scratch to the eye surface). Because it’s an ointment, it sits on the eye much longer, meaning lasting relief. 5/5