Kisah Nabi Musa

Kisah Nabi Musa adalah salah satu kisah paling penting dan mendalam dalam Alkitab, terutama dalam Perjanjian Lama. Ceritanya terbentang di beberapa kitab, yaitu Keluaran, Imamat,, Bilangan dan Ulangan. Berikut adalah ringkasan cerita Nabi Musa.

Nabi Musa lahir pada masa di mana bangsa Israel diperbudak di Mesir. Firaun yang berkuasa saat itu takut akan pertumbuhan populasi Israel dan mengeluarkan perintah kejam untuk membunuh setiap bayi laki-laki Ibrani yang lahir. Untuk menyelamatkan putranya, ibu Musa menaruhnya di sebuah keranjang dan menghanyutkannya di sungai Nil. Keranjang itu ditemukan oleh putri Firaun, yang kemudian mengadopsi Musa dan membesarkannya di istana Mesir.

Pelarian dari Mesir

Meskipun dibesarkan sebagai seorang pangeran Mesir, Musa menyadari asal-usulnya. Suatu hari, ia menyaksikan seorang mandor Mesir memukuli seorang budak Ibrani. Karena marah, Musa membunuh mandor tersebut dan menguburkannya. Ketika perbuatannya diketahui, Musa terpaksa melarikan diri dari Mesir. Ia pergi ke Midian dan tinggal di sana selama bertahun-tahun, menjadi seorang gembala dan menikah dengan Zipora.

Panggilan Tuhan

Saat menggembalakan dombanya di dekat Gunung Horeb (Gunung Sinai), Musa melihat sebuah semak duri yang menyala tetapi tidak terbakar. Dari tengah-tengah semak itu, Allah berbicara kepadanya. Allah memperkenalkan diri sebagai "Aku adalah Aku" (Yahweh) dan memerintahkan Musa untuk kembali ke Mesir untuk membebaskan umat-Nya, Israel, dari perbudakan. Awalnya, Musa merasa tidak mampu dan ragu, namun Allah meyakinkannya dan memberinya tanda-tanda, termasuk tongkat yang bisa berubah menjadi ular dan tangan yang bisa menjadi kusta. Allah juga memberikan Harun, kakaknya, sebagai juru bicara bagi Musa.

Tulah di Mesir

Musa dan Harun menghadap Firaun dan menuntut agar ia membiarkan bangsa Israel pergi. Namun, Firaun menolak dan malah memperberat pekerjaan budak Israel. Sebagai tanggapan, Allah mengirimkan sepuluh tulah (bencana) ke Mesir. Mulai dari air sungai Nil yang menjadi darah, katak, nyamuk, lalat pikat, penyakit sampar pada ternak, bisul, hujan es, belalang, kegelapan, hingga tulah terakhir dan paling parah: kematian anak sulung. Setiap tulah bertujuan menunjukkan kuasa Allah yang lebih besar dari dewa-dewa Mesir. Tulah terakhir, yang hanya melanda rumah-rumah orang Mesir, akhirnya membuat Firaun menyerah dan mengizinkan bangsa Israel pergi.

Penyeberangan Laut Merah

Setelah dibebaskan, bangsa Israel, dipimpin oleh Musa, memulai perjalanan mereka keluar dari Mesir. Namun, Firaun berubah pikiran dan mengejar mereka dengan pasukannya. Ketika bangsa Israel terjebak di tepi Laut Merah, mereka ketakutan. Atas perintah Allah, Musa mengangkat tongkatnya, dan Laut Merah terbelah. Bangsa Israel berjalan di tanah kering di tengah laut, sementara air berdiri seperti tembok di kedua sisi. Ketika mereka sudah menyeberang, Firaun dan pasukannya mengejar mereka. Musa kembali mengangkat tongkatnya, dan air kembali menyatu, menenggelamkan seluruh pasukan Mesir.

Empat Puluh Tahun di Padang Gurun

Perjalanan bangsa Israel di padang gurun penuh dengan tantangan. Mereka sering mengeluh tentang makanan dan air. Allah secara ajaib menyediakan manna (roti dari surga) dan burung puyuh untuk dimakan, serta air yang memancar dari batu.

Di Gunung Sinai, Musa menerima Sepuluh Perintah Allah dan hukum-hukum lainnya. Hukum-hukum ini, yang dikenal sebagai Taurat, menjadi dasar perjanjian antara Allah dan bangsa Israel. Setelah turun dari gunung, Musa menemukan umatnya telah membuat anak lembu emas dan menyembahnya. Dalam kemarahannya, Musa memecahkan lempengan batu yang berisi Sepuluh Perintah, tetapi kemudian Allah membuatkannya yang baru.

Karena ketidakpercayaan dan pemberontakan mereka, bangsa Israel dihukum untuk mengembara di padang gurun selama empat puluh tahun sampai generasi yang lama mati dan generasi baru yang lebih beriman siap memasuki Tanah Perjanjian, Kanaan.

Kematian Musa

Setelah empat puluh tahun mengembara, bangsa Israel tiba di perbatasan Tanah Perjanjian. Namun, karena suatu kesalahan di masa lalu (ia memukul batu untuk mengeluarkan air, padahal Tuhan hanya menyuruhnya berbicara kepada batu), Musa tidak diizinkan masuk ke Tanah Perjanjian.

Allah mengizinkan Musa untuk melihat Tanah Perjanjian dari puncak Gunung Nebo. Dari sana, ia bisa melihat seluruh tanah Kanaan. Setelah melihatnya, Musa meninggal pada usia 120 tahun. Ia digantikan oleh Yosua, yang memimpin bangsa Israel untuk menaklukkan Tanah Perjanjian.

Kisah Musa adalah kisah tentang iman, kepemimpinan, dan kesabaran, yang menggambarkan bagaimana Allah menggunakan seorang individu untuk melaksanakan rencana-Nya yang besar, membebaskan umat-Nya dari perbudakan dan membawa mereka menuju keselamatan.

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Constructing an Ecommerce Website

Ecommerce is an online term that involves any kind of transaction or transfer of money over the web. With technological advancements at an all -time high many people are taking advantage of the benefits of ecommerce.

When you visit an ecommerce website it truly is like shopping at a store except more convenient and way more choices to pick from. With ecommerce no one has to worry about barriers in the exchange of goods. That makes reaching a broader audience much more likely and viable.

If you desire to start an online store it can be a difficult venture if you are not aware of ecommerce principles. Doing your research of ecommerce guidelines is always a good start before trying to open and have an ecommerce website. There is a bunch of useful ecommerce software available that can help you build your site from the ground up.

This shopping cart software is super easy to use and understand. You won't need any extra tools just the software. You can have an online store before you know with the right ecommerce software in hand. With some of the latest tools you can give your customers a clear view of all your merchandise and an easy checkout experience. Now you can even give your shoppers the ability to add to their cart without ever leaving the page they are on. They will love this and keep coming back to shop time and time again.

With the current ecommerce software that is available you can even offer visitors a one page checkout experience. No muss no fuss, just easy care free shopping online. It also helps to make it easy for shoppers to pay by offering them many choices. These choices should include such things as PayPal, credit card choices and Google checkout. The more choices your customers have the more apt they are to shop with you again.

There are absolutely tons of new tools out there that assist ecommerce merchants in doing better business and being more productive. Whatever type of ecommerce business you want to start there is software to assist you. You have all of the available tools you will need just a simple, mouse click away. Do your research today and get in on the leading edge of ecommerce. If you take the time to learn all of the principles you can have a successful ecommerce website that will draw many visitors and traffic to your site.

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Looking to Start Your Own Lighting Business? - Things to Consider

Are you looking to start up a lighting business? Keen to pave the way in online retail of specialist lighting products? Then you need a business plan in order to break into this competitive field of business.

The home decor industry has exploded in the past decade, as products have become more affordable, households have become more interested in design and have had the money to do up their homes and supply chains have been revolutionised as the global marketplace becomes more accessible.

Building an online business

The internet has also revolutionised how businesses sell to customers and nowadays, not everyone will have a physical shop front presence to promote their catalogue range. Many businesses will set themselves up as online retailers only - either through their own e-commerce website, or even through using sites such as eBay to sell stock.

Working with overseas suppliers

Better trade links abroad also offer up options for importing lighting from abroad and setting up specialist retail sites for certain international designs or classical lighting; Moroccan tea lamps or cutting-edge Bauhaus design, for example. By working directly with a manufacturer overseas, you can cut your cost base and cut out various layers of middlemen too, meaning that your route to market is quicker and your costs are lower. You can then pass on the cost savings to your customers, meaning that they can pick up a wide range of lighting at better prices than they might do on the high street.

If this is of interest to you as a business model, it's worth getting advice on the best way to build up an ecommerce business that specialises in home decor and consider too whether you wish to focus your product offering around one specialist line, or diversify into a range of other complementary home decor products.

Local legislation and other things to bear in mind

Remember that if you are selling lighting to a wide base of international customers, you need to consider the local legislations very carefully. For example, different nations have different home wiring systems and also different quality standards and rules around eco bulbs and other 'green' credentials. Certainly, the 'green' stamp can work as a very effective marketing strategy in the UK and Europe, as households here are very conscious of their carbon footprint and looking for ways to reduce it. Consumers who can buy attractive lighting with green credentials may just be swayed to give you their business!

Remember that a good business plan is essential whether you're looking to retail on the high street, or purely online and the figures must stack up. It's always worth speaking to a business adviser to talk through your plans and to seek out opportunities to network with potential partners and customers, look at low-cost marketing through social media and other viral means and also look for funding sources where banks aren't prepared to lend. With perseverance, good planning and resolute action, your lighting business could become a reality.

If your business is based in Cornwall and you're searching for free business advice or need some help with how to develop a business, contact Grown Cornwall to get the ball rolling!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7000030

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Dry Eyes

Myths:

Dry eyes is just a condition of eyes.

Facts:

The eyes often reflect a larger problem that needs to be treated systemically. Certain nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D, E, & B6, Magnesium, GLA & DHA, Mucopolysaccharides & Tumeric may help ease chronic and severe dry eyes.

Read Customer Reviews of Products for Dry Eyes.

See Product Recommendations and Self Help Tips.

Overview:

Dry eyes, often referred to as Dry Eye Syndrome, is the complaint that eye doctors hear from patients. About 33 million Americans of both sexes of all ages of all racial backgrounds experience varying degrees of dry eye syndromes. Like most eye conditions, Dry Eye Syndrome is often related to health conditions in the rest of the body. It is commonly associated with dryness of other mucous membranes, interior body surfaces like the joints, as well as brittle nails. Dry eye can also be a sign of digestive imbalances or of more serious systemic autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome or lupus erthematosus. The production of tears relies on the function of three interrelated layers:

• The Mucus Layer is the closest layer to the corneal epithelium. It is produced by the conjunctival goblet cells, and is absorbed by the corneal surface glycoproteins, creating a hydrophilic corneal surface.
• The Aqueous Layer lies between the Mucous and Lipid Layers, and comprises 90% of the tear film's thickness. It is secreted by the lacrimal gland and incorporates all water-soluble components of the tear film (slightly alkaline at pH of 7.4).
• The Lipid Layer is the most superficial layer. It is produced by the Meibomiam glands with minor contribution from glands of Zeis and Moll. The secretion is a sebaceous material that is fluid at body temperature. It works to retard the evaporation of the Aqueous Layer and lowers surface tension thereby allowing tear-film to mold itself to the eye's surface.
• Blinking renews the tear film by delivering material from the Aqueous and Lipid Layers and sweeping away debris. The normal blink interval is every 5 seconds. Tear film is typically stable for about 10 seconds.

Symptoms:

Typical symptoms include dryness, grittiness, irritation, difficulty reading for long periods of time, burning, and, even though it seems quite contradictory, excessive tearing or watering of the eyes.

Causes:

• Any disruption in the tear production process
• Blepharitis can often cause dry eye symptoms due to inflammation of the eye lid margins, which is caused by a bacterial infection (staphylococci). More on blepharitis
• Computer Users tend to blink much less frequently (about 7 times per minute verses the normal rate of around 22 times per minute). This lack of blinking leads to increased tear film evaporation along with the fatigue and eye strain associated with staring at a computer monitor. Ideally, computer users should take short breaks about every 20 minutes to reduce the risk of eye strain. Also, adjusting the monitor so that it is below eye level will allow the upper lid to be positioned lower and cover more of the eye's surface, again to reduce tear film evaporation. More on computer eyestrain.
• LASIK surgery temporarily disrupts the ocular surface/lacrimal gland unit. Also, during LASIK, roughly 60-70% of the superficial nerve fibers in the cornea are severed, which impacts sensation and affects acqueous tears. With compromised sensation, the blink rate can slow to the point where the tear film breaks up before the next blink can reconstitute it. This may result in mild to severe dry eye syndrome for many months after surgery. This condition usually clears up eventually.
• Other diseases that may be associated with dry eyes include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes (especially when the blood sugar is up), Asthma, Thyroid disease (lower lid does not move when blinking), Lupus, and possibly Glaucoma.
• Age: An average 65 year old only has 40% of the tear volume that he or she had at age 18. Dry Eye Syndrome affects 75% of people over age 65.
• Hormonal changes for women can cause decreased tear production brought on by pregnancy, lactation, menstruation, and post menopause.
• Other causes include too much coffee drinking, smoking, wearing contact lenses, time spent in air-conditioning or heat.

Drugs that can cause dry eye symptoms

(see "Drugs That Harm the Eyes" for a more complete list of harmful drugs:)

• Antibiotics
• Blood pressure medications
• Antidepressants
• Diuretics
• Over-the-counter vasoconstrictors (i.e. Visine)
• Antihistamines
• Birth control pills
• Appetite suppressants
• Ulcer medications

Conventional Treatment:

• Artificial Tears: Some form of over-the-counter artificial tears is usually recommended. Although they may provide temporary relief, they merely palliate the symptoms. In fact, the preservatives can aggravate the condition, and can even kill corneal cells. Tears that promise to "get the red out" will reduce circulation in the eye, decrease production of the tear film, and, worst of all, eventually make your eyes even drier.
• Punctal Occlusion: Punctal occlusion is a procedure used to help dry eye patients by closing the tear drainage canals with silicone plugs, which keep most of the fluid from the surface of the eye. This may provide long-term relief.

Dry Eye Tests

Since there are three different tear layers produced to make up the tear film, these tests, performed by an eye doctor, help determine where the dry eye problem may be coming from, and what treatment may be needed. Some common tests that may be performed:

• Rose Bengal staining pattern
• Tear film break-up time (<10 seconds)
• Schirmer tear test
• Tear Osmolarity
• Tear protein levels (lactorerrin and lysozyme)
• Evaluation of debris in tear film
• Conjunctival impression cytoloty
• Presence of corneal filaments

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Using Flaxseed Oil and Fish Oil To Relieve Dry Eye

Flaxseed oil and fish oil contain important dietary fatty acids that have multiple health benefits, including prevention or control of dry eyes.

Other benefits include a lower risk of heart disease and a reduction of chronic inflammation that can lead to a variety of serious diseases, including cancer and stroke. Chronic inflammation also has been indicated as an underlying cause of osteoarthritis and Alzheimer's disease.

Daily supplements of flaxseed oil or fish oil, when used alone or in tandem with lubricating eye drops, appear to reduce dry eye symptoms, including burning, stinging, redness and intermittent visual disturbances. For this reason, many eye doctors now are recommending flaxseed oil and fish oil supplements for their patients who suffer from dry eyes.

Research also suggests these same fatty acids may reduce the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

So which is better — flaxseed oil or fish oil?

Flaxseed Oil for Dry Eyes

The nutritional value of flaxseed oil (and fish oil) comes from its omega-3 fatty acids that are needed for optimum health. Flaxseed oil contains high levels of an omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). During digestion, ALA is converted into two different omega-3 fatty acids — called EPA and DHA — that are used throughout the body to protect cell membranes.

Flaxseed oil supplements are available both in capsule and liquid forms. Although flaxseed oil capsules are more convenient, you may need to take a large number of capsules to achieve the daily dose your eye doctor recommends to treat dry eyes.

The nutritional value of flaxseed oil is easily destroyed by light, heat and oxygen. When purchasing liquid flaxseed oil, look for a cold-pressed variety and keep it refrigerated.

As an alternative to flaxseed oil, you can get the same omega-3s by grinding whole flax seeds in a coffee grinder and sprinkling the ground seeds over a salad, adding them to a smoothie or mixing them in fruit juice. If you choose this option, be sure to use the seeds immediately after grinding them to get the full omega-3 benefits.

Popular eye vitamins that contain flaxseed oil include: TheraTears Nutrition (Advanced Vision Research), Dry Eye Formula (EyeScience) and Tears Again Hydrate (Ocusoft).

Comparison of Fish Oil With Flaxseed Oil

Fish oil also is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and has a significant benefit over flaxseed oil: It contains EPA and DHA omega-3s in their natural form. Therefore, your body doesn't have to break down ALA into these more readily used forms, as in the case of flaxseed oil.

Grilled salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids to fight dry eyes.

Though ALA typically is rapidly converted to EPA, the conversion to DHA occurs more slowly.

Also, certain foods in your diet can affect the conversion process, which can be unpredictable. A diet rich in unhealthful "trans" fatty acids, for instance, can reduce the amount of ALA being converted to EPA and DHA. Trans fats are found in cookies, fried foods, chips and other snack foods. Another name for trans fats is "partially hydrogenated oils."

Some researchers report a dose of 7.2 grams of flaxseed oil is approximately equivalent to one gram of fish oil. Others say up to 11 grams of ALA is needed to produce one gram of EPA and DHA. For these reasons, it's easier to know just how much EPA and DHA omega-3s you are getting when taking fish oil compared with using flaxseed oil supplements.

Fish oils, like flaxseed oil, are available in capsule and liquid forms. Some contain lemon flavoring or are processed in other ways to reduce any "fishy" taste. Cod liver oil is another good source of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

A more enjoyable way to obtain fish oil benefits is by eating grilled cold-water fish at least three times a week. Good sources of EPA and DHA omega-3s are salmon, sablefish, tuna and halibut.

Popular eye supplements that contain fish oil or cod liver oil include: TheraTears Nutrition (Advanced Vision Research), BioTears (Biosyntryx) and HydroEye (ScienceBased Health).

So Which is Better: Flaxseed Oil or Fish Oil?

Because fish oil contains natural EPA and DHA omega-3s (that don't have to be converted from ALA), many nutrition experts recommend fish oil over flaxseed oil.

Freshly ground flaxseeds are a good alternative to flaxseed oil for dry eye nutrients.

But other factors are worth considering:

• If you are a vegetarian, ground flax seeds or flaxseed oil will likely be your preferred choice.
• Ground flax seeds are more economical than either fish oil or flaxseed oil supplements.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies omega-3 fatty acids from fish as GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe). However, fish oil can cause stomach upset and/or diarrhea in some individuals, especially in high doses. Other possible side effects include increased burping, acid reflux, heartburn and abdominal bloating or pain. Risk of these side effects can be minimized if you take fish oils with meals and if you start with low doses.
• A fishy aftertaste is common with some fish oil supplements. This can be reduced by refrigerating the capsules or liquid, or by purchasing brands that promise no such problems.

Concerns about mercury poisoning from fish oils generally are unfounded. When present in waterways, methylmercury accumulates in fish meat more than in fish oil, and testing of fish oil supplements show they generally contain little or no mercury. Still, if this is a concern, using flaxseed oil as an alternative eliminates this issue.

Precautions

As with any nutritional supplement, it's a good idea to consult with your family physician or eye doctor before taking significant quantities of flaxseed oil or fish oil for dry eyes. This is particularly true if you take any prescription or non-prescription medicines, as adverse drug interactions can occur.

Be especially careful if you take blood thinners (even aspirin), as both flaxseed oil and fish oil can increase the risk of bleeding and reduce blood clotting when used along with these medications.

Long-term use of fish oil may cause a vitamin E deficiency in some individuals. Therefore, it's a good idea to look for fish oil supplements that also contain vitamin E, or take a multiple vitamin that contains this vitamin if you take fish oil supplements for dry eyes.

Read more: http://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/flaxseed-oil.htm#ixzz1ED4AyWtI

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Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a chronic lack of sufficient lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye.

Its consequences range from subtle but constant irritation to ocular inflammation of the anterior (front) tissues of the eye.

Dry eyes also are described by the medical term, keratitis sicca, which generally means decreased quality or quantity of tears. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca refers to eye dryness affecting the cornea and conjunctiva.

Dry Eye Syndrome Symptoms

Persistent dryness, scratching and burning in your eyes are signs of dry eye syndrome. These symptoms alone may prompt your eye doctor to diagnose dry eye syndrome.

But sometimes your eye doctor may want to measure the amount of tears in your eyes. A thin strip of filter paper placed under the lower eyelid, called a Schirmer test, is one way to measure tear production.

Another symptom of dry eyes is a "foreign body sensation," the feeling that something is in the eye.

And it may seem odd, but sometimes watery eyes can result from dry eye syndrome, because the excessive dryness works to overstimulate production of the watery component of your eye's tears.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Tears bathe the eye, washing out dust and debris and keeping the eye moist. They also contain enzymes that neutralize the microorganisms that colonize the eye. Tears are essential for good eye health.

In dry eye syndrome, the lacrimal gland or associated glands near the eye don't produce enough tears, or the tears have a chemical composition that causes them to evaporate too quickly.

Dry eye syndrome has several causes. It occurs as a part of the natural aging process, especially during menopause; as a side effect of many medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, certain blood pressure medicines, Parkinson's medications and birth control pills; or because you live in a dry, dusty or windy climate.

If your home or office has air conditioning or a dry heating system, that too can dry out your eyes. Another cause is insufficient blinking, such as when you're staring at a computer screen all day.

Dry eyes also are a symptom of systemic diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ocular rosacea or Sjogren's syndrome (a triad of dry eyes, dry mouth and rheumatoid arthritis or lupus).

Long-term contact lens wear is another cause; in fact, dry eyes are the most common complaint among contact lens wearers.

Recent research indicates that contact lens wear and dry eyes can be a vicious cycle. Dry eye syndrome makes contact lenses feel uncomfortable, and the rubbing of the lenses against the conjunctiva seems to be a cause of dry eyes.

Incomplete closure of the eyelids, eyelid disease and a deficiency of the tear-producing glands are other causes.

Tears are composed of three layers:

• the outer, oily lipid layer;
• the middle, watery, lacrimal layer;
• and the inner, mucous or mucin layer.

Each layer is produced by different glands near the eye. The lacrimal gland located above the outer corner of the eye produces the lacrimal layer, for example. So a problem with any of those sources can result in dry eyes.

Dry eye syndrome is more common in women, possibly due to hormone fluctuations. A recent study also indicates that the risk of dry eyes among men increases with age.

Recent research suggests that smoking, too, can increase your risk of dry eye syndrome.

With increased popularity of cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) for improved appearance, dry eye complaints now occasionally are associated with incomplete closure of eyelids following such a procedure.

Treatment for Dry Eyes

Dry eye syndrome is an ongoing condition that may not be completely curable (depending on the cause), but the accompanying dryness, scratchiness and burning can be managed. Your eye care practitioner may prescribe artificial tears, which are lubricating eye drops that may alleviate the dry, scratching feeling.

Punctal plugs help keep moisture on the eye by keeping tears from draining too quickly.


7Eye sunglasses can help with dry eyes because they keep out wind, pollen and dust with their Airlock seal; 99 percent of wearers in a study reported a decrease in overall dry eye symptoms.


Left: Artificial tears help dry eyes feel better; don't confuse them with formulas that just reduce redness. Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce your risk for dry eyes. Sardine, herring and cod liver oils are even better, or try a supplement.

Restasis eye drops (cyclosporine in a castor oil base) go one step further: by helping your body produce more tears. Restasis treatment is the first of its kind.

Another option for dry eye treatment is called Lacrisert, a tiny insert filled with a lubricating ingredient (hydroxypropyl cellulose). The insert is placed just inside the lower eyelid, where it continuously releases lubrication for the eye throughout the day.

Sometimes people use the eye drops that "get the red out" to treat their dry eyes. This won't work unless the eye drops also contain artificial tears, and the original "get-the-red-out" formulation doesn't. These drops can reduce or eliminate the redness temporarily, but they don't treat the cause of the redness, whether it's dryness, environmental irritation or some other problem.

Not only that, but the vasoconstrictors in those formulas that reduce redness by contracting the eye's blood vessels are addictive, in the sense that over time, more and more is needed to achieve the same effect. With frequent use, the effect diminishes after a while — the blood vessels simply won't constrict as much as they did when you first used the drops.

If you wear contact lenses, be aware that many eye drops, especially artificial tears, cannot be used while your contacts are in your eyes. You'll need to remove them before using drops and wait 15 minutes or even longer (check the label) before reinserting the lenses.

If your eye dryness is mild, then contact lens rewetting drops may be sufficient to make your eyes feel better, but the effect usually is only temporary.

Check the label, but better yet, check with your optometrist or ophthalmologist before buying any over-the-counter eye drops. It will probably save you a lot of money, because he or she will know which formulas are effective and long-lasting and which ones are not, as well as which eye drops will work with your contact lenses.

If the problem is environmental, wear sunglasses when outdoors to reduce exposure to sun, wind and dust. You may want to try the kind that has a foam or other seal at the sides and/or a close-fitting, wrap-style frame to keep wind and dust from getting behind the lenses and in your eyes.

Indoors, an air cleaner can filter out dust and other particles from the air, while a humidifier adds moisture to air that's too dry because of air conditioning or heating.

Temporary or permanent silicone plugs can be inserted in the lacrimal (tear) drainage ducts in your eyelids to keep tears on your eye from draining away as quickly. Called lacrimal plugs or punctal plugs, they can be inserted painlessly while you're in the eye doctor's office and normally are not felt once inserted.

Read more: http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/dryeye.htm#ixzz1ED3bjy4d

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