With all the eye drop recalls lately, it’s a good time to think about eye drop safety. The FDA recently issued some “consumer tips” that include never using certain types of eye drops–including anything labeled as homeopathic. We have a full breakdown of what not to use, and why, below. 

Why so many eye drops are problematic

Our immune system does a great job of protecting our bodies from infection–but it doesn’t always show up to fight infection in our eyes. In science terms, the eyes are “immune privileged.” Our immune system mostly trusts that our eyes will take care of themselves, so you rarely get much inflammation (part of the infection-fighting process) in the eyes. In addition to the eyes, other immune privileged body parts include the brain, testes, placenta, and fetus.

It’s thought that immune privilege is good for our eyes, because it reduces the chances of swelling. But the flip side is that if our eyes do get infected, that infection is harder to fight off. People have died or lost their vision from infections that resulted from contaminated eye drops. 

Since our eyes are so vulnerable to infection, it’s important not to squirt anything into them that we don’t truly need to. And that’s why the FDA is warning people away from eye drops that don’t have a known therapeutic benefit. All eye drops carry some risk, so you should make sure the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. Here are the types of eye drops to avoid. 

Homeopathic eye drops

While you may think of “homeopathy” as a synonym for home remedies or natural medicine, it’s not. Homeopathy is a specific, long-debunked medical theory from the days before we knew that germs cause disease; it was seen as a gentler alternative to bloodletting and other harsh treatments of the time. 

FDA regulations were written with a carve-out that allowed homeopathic “drugs” to exist alongside real drugs, even though they are not FDA-approved and have never been proven to be safe or effective. The FDA and FTC have been delicately trying to crack down on products that they can argue are unsafe or misleadingly marketed. For now, homeopathic products are allowed to exist, but are supposed to be clearly labeled with language like: “Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence.”

The FDA’s advice here is simple: “Do not use ophthalmic [eye] products that are labeled as homeopathic, as these products should not be marketed.” 

You can recognize homeopathic products by the word “homeopathic” (usually on the front of the package) and by the ingredients being listed as a dilution (a number followed by X, C, or CK) rather than in a measurable amount like milligrams. “Cineraria maritima HPUS 6X” would be an example of a homeopathic ingredient dilution. The FDA has more here on how to recognize and avoid homeopathic products. 

Eye drops that claim to treat serious conditions

If your doctor prescribes eye drops for a serious condition like cataracts or glaucoma, you can trust those. But if you’re attempting to treat or deal with something on your own, don’t trust over-the-counter eye drops that say they can treat these issues. 

The FDA, again, puts it simply: there are no approved over-the-counter eye drops for “serious eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinopathy or macular degeneration.” 

Eye drops with MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)

A chemical called methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, has been studied for its potential health benefits. It may be anti-inflammatory; it’s legal to use as an ingredient in food or supplements. 

But if you see it in eye drops, steer clear. The FDA says of MSM drops: “These products are unapproved drugs and illegally marketed in the U.S. There are no legally marketed ophthalmic drugs that contain MSM as an active ingredient.”

Eye drops containing silver

Silver sulfate and argentum are two names for medication ingredients that may contain silver (the metal). Over time, silver can cause the whites of your eyes to turn gray. 

Something similar happens in the skin in people who take large doses of silver (such as colloidal silver) for many years. In that case, there’s a name for the condition: argyria. 

Similar to the eye drops mentioned above, there is no known clinical benefit of silver-containing eye drops, and they pose the risk of dyeing your eyes gray as well as the risk of introducing contaminants if the eye drops are not properly manufactured and packaged.

The FDA suggests that everyone check their eye drops for the ingredients above–silver, MSM, or anything homeopathic–and also check whether the drops are on one of the recent recall or warning lists. You can read more from the FDA here.

Source: LifeHacker – Never Use Homeopathic Eye Drops, FDA Warns

Whether you’ve just made an offer on a home or you’re about to put yours on the market, a home inspection can provide you with invaluable information on the present condition of a home, as well as the potential problems that might arise in the future.

And while the resulting report will likely include most, if not all, of the home’s major issues and the repairs needed to fix them, reading through it on your own isn’t nearly as useful as attending the inspection in person—especially if you’re the buyer. But what, exactly, do you gain from taking time out of your busy schedule to be present at your home inspection? I spoke with Mike Powell, P.E., CPI, a home inspector at Red Flag Home Inspection in Tampa, Florida, to find out.

Why you should attend your home inspection

While some people view home inspections as a formality, a safeguard against unknowingly purchasing a home with serious and costly problems, or a way of obtaining written proof that an issue exists, they’re so much more than that. Think of home inspections as an investment, and skipping yours as not taking full advantage of the service, and essentially, leaving money on the table.

Still not convinced? Here are a few of the benefits of attending your home inspection, courtesy of Powell:

Real-time recommendations

You can learn a lot about a home by reading the inspection report, but you can learn even more if your inspector offers real-time advice on minor improvements or modifications that can make the home safer and more efficient—including those typically left out of the reports. When else will you receive this kind of personalized guidance?

Asking questions

Now’s your chance to have a professional answer the questions you have about your home. “I welcome questions from homebuyers during the inspection, as it’s a valuable opportunity for them to gain insights and clarity about the property,” says Powell. “However, to ensure the inspection process is smooth and nothing is overlooked, it’s recommended to save questions for breaks in the action or after the inspection.”

Learning how systems operate

When buyers attend their inspection, it gives them the opportunity to learn how to operate various systems and components in the home, like the HVAC system, thermostat, water heater, and security features. “Sprinkler systems tend to be particularly tough for most home buyers, while easy to navigate for most home inspectors,” Powell says. “This firsthand knowledge can contribute to smoother homeownership.”

Locate shut-off valves and breakers

Inspections are the perfect time for buyers to ask about and learn the locations of important shut-off valves, circuit breakers, and emergency controls. “Knowing these key points is crucial for quick responses in case of emergencies or needed repairs,” Powell explains.

Hands-on demonstrations

Being present at your home inspection is also a chance for some visual learning; for instance, instead of simply describing how your HVAC system works, your inspector can walk you through the processes involved with operating and maintaining it. Also, being there in person allows the inspector to show you exactly where any problems are located, and the extent of the damage, if any.

“Have you ever emailed someone with paragraphs of explanation, only to show them the same instruction in seconds?” Powell says. “This can be similar when applied to a building defect. Seeing it in person will always deliver more effectively than photographs.”

Prioritize repairs

Getting a long list of the repairs and improvements you home needs can be overwhelming, and can leave buyers unsure of where to start. “By witnessing the inspector’s assessment, buyers can better understand the severity of identified issues,” says Powell. “This understanding helps in prioritizing repairs based on urgency and budget constraints.”

Building a relationship with the inspector

Establishing a good rapport with your inspector will not only make it easier to ask questions and communicate more openly with them during the inspection, it might be useful in the future, as well. “This relationship may extend beyond the inspection, allowing buyers to seek advice or clarification post-purchase,” says Powell.

Clarify inspection terminology

Like other professions, home inspection has its own jargon, and the inspector may use it in the report. “Attending the inspection gives buyers the opportunity to ask for explanations, ensuring they fully comprehend the terminology used and the implications of various findings,” Powell explains.

Source: LifeHacker – Why You Should Always Attend Your Home Inspection