Q: I use an over-the-counter eye drop several times a day to soothe my dry, itchy eyes. Is that OK?
If your eyes are often bloodshot, itchy or feeling like they’re full of grit, it’s natural to wonder whether it’s safe to use over-the-counter eye drops regularly.
“Eye irritation is so common,” often caused by seasonal or environmental allergies, staring at screens, or being exposed to irritants like wildfire smoke, cleaning products or dry air, said Dr. Shahzad Mian, chair of ophthalmology at the University of Michigan Health.
It’s “reasonable” to try eye drops to soothe redness, dryness or other symptoms, he said. The most common versions sold over the counter include artificial tears (also called lubricating eye drops), as well as antihistamine and redness-relieving solutions.
Most are generally safe for daily, long-term use, Dr. Mian said, but there is one type that eye experts recommend using sparingly. Here’s what to know.
Which eye drops are safe to use long term?
Artificial tears, sold under brand names like Systane and Refresh, help with dryness, burning and irritation by coating, lubricating and protecting the eye’s surface like natural tears.
This relief usually lasts about an hour, depending on the solution’s texture, said Dr. Christopher Starr, a spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Thicker or gel-like drops (which can blur vision) keep symptoms at bay for longer, he said; watery drops (which don’t affect vision) don’t last as long.
Artificial tears are generally safe for daily use, Dr. Starr said, though how often you should use them per day depends on their formulation. Versions that contain preservatives can actually cause irritation and worsen dry eye symptoms, so they should be used no more than four times a day, Dr. Starr said. Those without preservatives (labeled “preservative-free”) can generally be used as needed, Dr. Mian said, since they have fewer additives and are less likely to irritate the eyes.
Dr. Mian recommended using single-use vials rather than larger bottles to reduce the risk of contamination.
Antihistamine eye drops — which soothe seasonal or year-round, allergy-related eye symptoms like redness, burning, itchiness, eye puffiness and tearing — are generally safe to use up to twice a day, Dr. Mian said. Some can be used more frequently, he added, so it’s best to check the product’s dosage label.
These versions, sold by brands like Pataday and Zaditor, often work by blocking the release of histamine on the surface of the eye and stabilizing immune cells, both of which minimize allergy symptoms, Dr. Mian explained. Sometimes, though, they can lead to dry eyes, causing burning or blurry vision, he said. If that happens, using a preservative-free lubricating eye drop can also help, Dr. Mian added — or, consult with an allergist to see if there’s another way to manage your allergies.
Which eye drops should be limited?
Redness-relieving eye drops (also called decongestant eye drops, sold by brands like Visine and Clear Eyes) are a category that Dr. Starr recommended “going very easy on.”
These constrict blood vessels in the eyes, minimizing redness, he said, but the redness can return (and sometimes worsen) when the relief wears off, causing a rebound effect. This can create a dependency where you need to use more drops but your eyes get redder, said Laura Di Meglio, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. Because of this, experts recommend that you avoid using them daily.
Dr. Starr said that using decongestant eye drops infrequently — such as once a month or occasionally before an important event — likely won’t cause rebound redness.
And in general, it’s best to avoid eye drops that contain preservatives if you wear contacts, the experts said. Contacts can absorb some eye drop ingredients, and that can irritate your eyes, Dr. Mian said.
Special types of lubricating solutions, called rewetting eye drops (sold under the brand names Refresh and Blink), are safe to use with contacts, Dr. Starr said. They can generally be applied every day, he added.
When should you see an eye doctor?
If you’re reaching for artificial tears or antihistamine drops several times a day, or using redness-relieving eye drops more than once a month, see an ophthalmologist, Dr. Starr said.
You should also see a doctor if you have daily redness, dryness or irritation along with eye pain, light sensitivity, blurry vision or vision changes, Dr. Di Meglio said.
These could be signs of an issue, such as an undiagnosed allergy, an eye infection, chronic dry eye, glaucoma or another eye condition that requires a specialist or a different treatment, Dr. Starr said.
“There are a lot of products that are out there, and sometimes it’s very confusing,” Dr. Mian said. A doctor can recommend the most effective treatment.
The post Is It Safe to Use Eye Drops Every Day? appeared first on New York Times.
