Glaucoma medication comes in multiuse bottles that may contain preservatives that can irritate your eyes, so using preservative-free drops may help lessen any potential irritations.
Glycerin serves as both a demulcent and an osmoprotectant to prevent damage to the eye surface and tear film, making it particularly helpful for patients suffering from dry eye.
Eye Drops
Eye drops can be an integral part of an effective and preventative dry eye treatment plan for many patients, helping lubricate eye surfaces, reduce irritation, and ease symptoms associated with Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye disease).
Eye drops are one of the most widely available over-the-counter and prescription products. Most contain preservatives to inhibit bacteria growth once opened and allow multiple applications a day; however, these same preservatives may irritate sensitive eyes, so those should opt out of using such drops altogether.
Researchers from Moorfields Eye Hospital in the UK conducted a study involving preservative free eye drop preparations dispensed into multiuse bottles. After collecting them on either day 3 or 7, these bottles were inoculated with different microbial cultures to identify any significant growth. Their results revealed significant bacterial presence in eight out of 95 bottles tested.
Eye Infections
Reused eyedrops may damage contact lenses and reduce moisture and quality significantly, further aggravating existing conditions like eye allergies, dry eye syndrome or conjunctivitis that already exist. Such conditions may compromise vision, quality of life and the continuation of chronic drug therapy for glaucoma treatment.
OSD results from a complex combination of factors, including insufficient tear production and reflex tearing, reduced lubrication between eyelids and globe, and changes to meibomian glands. OSD symptoms may include itching, foreign body sensation and discomfort.
Some eye medications are available without preservatives and covered by insurance plans, including Pacific Pharma’s Purite formulation of generic timolol and dorzolamide-timolol from Travoprost and Sandoz’s SofZia formulation of generic brimonidine tartrate 0.1% or 0.15% from SofZia; alternative preservatives have shown less inflammation and structural damage compared with BAK; however there is little clinical or laboratory data regarding their impact on meibomian gland health.
Scleral Lenses
Scleral lenses offer an effective treatment option for individuals suffering from corneal irregularities or disorders. Scleral lenses fit directly onto distorted corneas to form new optical surfaces while resting comfortably against the white portion of the eye – creating an optical surface of their own and resting securely against it. Their large diameter provides a fluid reservoir which protects from environmental influences while shielding underlying surfaces beneath.
These characteristics of scleral lenses can be particularly advantageous to those suffering from dry eyes. When inserting them, their lens bowl can be filled with preservative-free lubricating solutions such as Nutrifill or Scleralfil to provide continuous moisture to help the eye surface recover more rapidly.
These multidose vials of lubricating solutions come packaged and ready for easy dispensing. Eye care practitioners and wearers of scleral lenses should prioritize hand, lens and environmental hygiene in order to lower risk of infection and ensure safe lens care practices and lens insertions.
Dry Eye
Preservative-free eye drops may provide relief for dry eye symptoms. Safe for repeated use, the drops offer patients who must administer their eyedrops multiple times daily an extra benefit.
Studies comparing preservative-free to preserved artificial tear preparations have found that preservative-free drops can improve symptoms, Schirmer I test results, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-a) levels, antioxidant activity levels and tear film breakup times, leading to more stable ocular surface conditions.
Though many factors can aggravate dry eye symptoms, including contact lens wear, intensive office work, adenovirus infection, postmenopausal status and systemic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome; it is essential to consult a professional optometrist in order to get an accurate diagnosis and find suitable treatments that address discomforting dry eye symptoms such as inflammation and pain. He or she will recommend an appropriate regimen designed to alleviate them.
