Preservative-free eye drops are designed to supplement and support the natural tear film, soothing irritation while remaining safe for regular use, even by contact lens wearers.
At both intention-to-treat and per-protocol sets, significantly higher proportions of preservative-free group patients reported that the unit-dose container was easy to open and convenient for drug management.
Hydrates the tear film
Preservative-free eye drops hydrate the tear film, creating a protective barrier to decrease rapid evaporation. Depending on their formulation, these eyedrops may contain ingredients to support oily layer of tears or help the tear film heal from irritation, making these an excellent option for people needing artificial tears more than four times per day, contact lens wearers experiencing dry eye symptoms and anyone with sensitive eyes or allergies to common preservatives found in preserved products.
Many popular preservative-free eye drops include hyaluronic acid or carboxymethylcellulose to supplement the watery portion of tears, while others use glycerin, an ingredient that draws moisture into the eye to stabilize thickness of tear films, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) which decomposes into water, oxygen, sodium and chlorine free radicals that disrupt bacteria membranes killing them off or adding oily components of tears as aiding meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Our eye doctors choose specific preservative-free options depending on each patient’s condition.
Soothes irritation
Soothe products provide relief from dry eye pain, burning, itching and irritation by reducing tear film build up that causes redness and irritation. We match your symptoms, lifestyle and exam findings with the appropriate Soothe product – for instance if you require eye drops several times daily we suggest opting for one without preservatives to decrease irritation risks.
Bausch + Lomb has just introduced their newest offering in their Soothe family: Soothe Xtra Protection Preservative Free Lubricant Eye Drops. Featuring Restoryl, which helps restore lipid layers while sealing in moisture for long-term relief. Plus, multidose bottles instead of single vials reduce packaging waste!
When applying any type of eye lubricant, it is crucial that you follow the directions on its label and do not touch or place directly into your eye the tip of an eye dropper or ointment tube as this could contaminate it and potentially lead to infection.
Works with contact lenses
Preservative-free eye drops are designed to remain sterile without added preservatives and do not contain chemicals that could irritate or cause contact lens discomfort. They come in either single-use vials or multi-dose bottles with filter systems designed for daily use and closed tightly between applications to maintain sterility between uses. Before use, thoroughly wash hands and use a lint-free towel to apply drops; gently pull down lower lid to create small pocket and squeeze drops into it; close and blink several times so it spreads evenly over its surface surface.
No matter if you wear contacts or not, preservative-free drops provide long-term moisture to soothe and relax your eyes, prevent allergic reactions and shield against harmful buildup of chemicals such as BAK. Consult your eye doctor or optometrist about what would work best for you; they may prescribe a customized formula tailored specifically to meet your individual needs.
Doesn’t cure underlying causes
Food and Drug Administration regulations mandate multidose bottles of medications contain preservatives designed to combat bacteria and fungi contamination during patient use as well as extend their shelf life. Preservatives have played an integral part of medicine delivery for decades now.
However, for some patients they can cause adverse side effects: preservatives can exacerbate dry eye and corneal surface conditions and long-term use may even result in irreparable damage to the eye surface.
Ophthalmologists have taken steps to provide their patients with preservative-free medications. There are now a range of preservative-free glaucoma drops available from multiple companies – these include generic versions of Allergan’s Cosopt, Tafluprost from Akorn, and latanoprost from Sandoz (Iyuzeh).
But these alternatives come with their own drawbacks; single-dose nonpreserved formulas may be more costly, and their packaging could present challenges to patients with physical limitations or an intention of minimizing waste. Furthermore, single-use vials and bottles must be stored correctly to prevent contamination.
