What to do if taking weight loss pills causes myopia

The dry myopia caused by taking weight loss pills can be improved by discontinuing the pills, artificial eye drops, adjusting eye habits, increasing environmental humidity, and supplementing with vitamin A. Myopia dryness may be related to factors such as the inhibition of tear secretion by drug ingredients, excessive eye use, dry environment, vitamin A deficiency, and dry eye syndrome.

1. Stop using weight loss drugs

Some weight loss drugs contain appetite suppressing ingredients such as sibutramine hydrochloride, which may reduce tear secretion through sympathetic nervous system stimulation. If dry eye symptoms occur within 1-2 weeks after taking medication, gradually reduce or change weight loss plans under the guidance of a doctor to avoid sudden discontinuation of medication. Common drugs that induce eye dryness include sympathomimetic preparations such as phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride capsules.

2. Artificial tear eye drops

Sodium hyaluronate eye drops can effectively supplement eye surface moisture, and can be used 4-6 times a day. For severe cases, preservative free packaging can be selected. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose eye drops are more suitable for patients with corneal epithelial injury. Polyvinyl alcohol eye drops can form a protective film, and it is recommended to use them preventively before prolonged use.

3. Adjust eye habits

Continuously staring at an electronic screen for more than 40 minutes will reduce the number of blinks by half, leading to accelerated evaporation of tears. Suggest using the 20-20-20 rule: stare at an object 6 meters away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Keep a distance of 30 centimeters when using your phone, and turn on eye protection mode at night to reduce blue light intensity.

4. Increase environmental humidity

If the humidity in an air-conditioned room is below 30%, it will exacerbate eye dryness. It is ideal to use an ultrasonic humidifier to maintain a humidity of 50% -60%. In winter, the heating environment can be placed in a basin to evaporate and humidify, avoiding direct blowing on the eyes. Wear dust goggles on windy days to reduce the evaporation of tears.

5. Supplementing with Vitamin A

Vitamin A can maintain the secretion of mucus layer by goblet cells. Eating 50 grams of dark vegetables per week or 300 grams per day can meet the needs of animal liver. Individuals with severe deficiencies can take vitamin AD soft capsules for a short period of time, but should avoid exceeding the daily intake limit of 5000IU.

It is recommended to ensure at least 7 hours of sleep per day in daily life, and use a warm towel to apply heat to the eyelids for 10 minutes to promote meibomian gland secretion. Dietary choices include salmon and flaxseed oil, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. If accompanied by a sudden drop in vision, eye pain, redness and swelling, it is necessary to check for emergencies such as glaucoma. If the long-term symptoms do not improve, one should go to the ophthalmology department for tear secretion test and corneal staining examination.