The public should avoid self-medication if they experience symptoms of sore eyes, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said. It is better to get a prescription from a health professional if an individual is suffering from sore eyes, said DOH Health Environment Division Chief Dr. Rosalind Vianzon. “Of course ang importante diyan, matingnan siya ng isang primary care provider para kung kailangan bigyan siya ng eye ointment or ophthalmic drops---yung tamang prescription ang maibigay sa kanya (the important thing is that the person must be examined by a primary care provider to determine if the individual needs to use an eye ointment or ophthalmic drops. This is  to ensure that the right prescription is given),” said Vianzon in a recent media forum. “Huwag tayong magpapatak sa sarili o magpapahid ng kung anu-ano kasi baka imbes na makabuti ay lalo pa pong makasama sa ating mga mata (Do not put any eye drops or ointment products in your eyes because this may  tend to do more harm than good),” she added. Vianzon also advised the public to avoid rubbing the eyes. This will also help minimize the spread of the viral infection to other people as the discharge from sore eyes “are sources of infections.” “Usually ang sore eyes makati yan, talagang intentionally, unknowingly nai-iscratch yung mata so as much as possible ayun po ang iwasan natin (sore eyes are really itchy and intentionally, unknowingly you tend to scratch your eyes. So as much as possible we should avoid that),” she said. “Imbes na kamutin o i-scratch yung mata siguro maghilamos nalang para mabawasan yung itchiness nung sore eyes (Instead of scratching the eyes, it is better to wash it to reduce the itchiness of sore eyes),” she added.