Eye Drops with Preservatives vs Preservative-Free
The Downside and a Better Solution
By Lisa Monroe
If you have ever suffered with dry eyes, you are not alone! According to the National Eye Institute nearly 16 million Americans suffer from dry eyes and are seeking relief. Frequently, they turn to over-the-counter dry eye drops, to keep their eyes moist.
Unfortunately, many over-the-counter dry eye drops contain preservatives which many of us prefer to avoid, if possible. This article will explore the reasons dry eye drops with preservatives can be bad for our eyes. We will also take a look at a more natural alternative.
WHAT IS DRY EYE?
Let’s start off by taking a look at what dry eye is. Dry eye is quite common and there are many underlying causes ranging from lifestyle to the environment to other underlying health conditions. Each time we blink our eyes are lubricated by tears which provide moisture and protection. However, complications can occur when our tear film becomes unstable.
Ineffective tears or a decrease in the production of tears can cause dry eyes. When the tear film is affected, the following irritating symptoms can occur:
• Sensitivity to light
• Redness in the eyes
• Stinging or burning sensation
• Blurred vision especially when reading
• Eye fatigue
• Watery eyes
• A gritty feeling or sensation of a foreign object in the eye
Needless to say, any or all of these dry eye symptoms make it difficult to function in your daily activities. When this happens you are likely looking online or in the nearest pharmacy for a product that brings quick relief. The choice for many people is artificial tears (eye drops).
WHAT ARE ARTIFICIAL TEARS
Artificial tears are a popular choice for dry eye sufferers. They are widely available in grocery stores, drug stores and online, and no prescription is required. So, it does make sense that people prefer to buy a bottle of dry eye drops, over-the-counter, to provide extra moisture to relieve their dry eyes.
When on the hunt for such a product, you’ll notice there are many different brands of artificial tears to choose from. These may provide a great solution to your tears drying out from long stretches in front of the computer, spending time in a smoke-filled environment, and various other external causes.
In addition to moisturizing eyes, some artificial tears can assist with neutralizing some of these issues, slow down evaporation of tears, and even contain a thickening agent for longer relief. So, if you’re looking for an over-the-counter dry eye solution, how do you decide which is best?
THE OPTIONS: TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL TEARS
When perusing the options one important thing to be aware of is there are two main categories of eye drops: those with preservatives, and those eye drops without preservatives.
Artificial Tears with Preservatives
Products containing preservatives usually come in multi-use bottles. Preservatives are added to prevent the growth of bacteria after the bottle is opened, allowing for a longer duration of use. The problem is the chemical preservatives can irritate the eyes, which is troublesome for people who use them several times a day.
Preservative-Free Artificial Tears
Preservative-free dry eye drops can be a safer alternative as they have fewer additives. This option is usually recommended for people with moderate to severe dry eye and for those sensitive to preservatives and other additives. And are often a preferred choice for those who use artificial tears more than four times a day.
WHAT ARE ARTIFICIAL TEARS MADE OF?
You may be wondering what artificial tears are made of. In general, the active ingredients are safe to use as often as you need, but it is essential to do your research and read the label before making a purchase. Artificial tears try to emulate real tears, using a combination of different ingredients which can include lubricants, guar gum, electrolytes and preservatives.
Many optometrists do not recommend using artificial tears that contain preservatives more than 4 times a day, due to the possibility of chemical irritation.
REASONS TO AVOID PRESERVATIVES
While preservatives can extend the duration of the product, the trade-off is eye irritation for many people. The chemicals found in the preservatives may actually cause poor production and maintenance of the tear film, leading to dry eye symptoms.
A study on the preservatives used in dry eye drops revealed several negative symptoms. One of the primary chemicals used in these eye drops, benzalkonium chloride (BAK), is associated to several effects of long-term use, which include burning, stinging, foreign body sensation, dry eyes, watery eyes and itchiness.
It is advisable to avoid artificial tears containing preservatives if they bother your eyes, your dry eye problem is severe, or you apply eye drops more than 4 to 6 times per day. For severe cases of dry eye, it is always helpful to consult your optometrist.
A SAFE, EFFECTIVE, PRESERVATIVE-FREE ALTERNATIVE
For those who have a hard time administering eye drops, or simply don’t like how drops feel; the comfort of an eye spray mist will be a welcome alternative.
DryEyez, is a safe and effective dry eye spray mist for symptoms related to dry, itchy and irritated eyes, and is currently exclusive to Amazon. It was specially formulated for eyes which are sensitive to drugs, preservatives and chemicals, used in many eye care products which often cause adverse reactions. This gentle dry eye spray mist helps to quickly cleanse, moisten and sooth, dry, irritated eyes.
The DryEyez bottle features a contamination-free sealed system, with a one-way flow sprayer, preventing re-entry of germs. The DryEyez product contains only natural ingredients, free of glycerins, alcohols, oils, chemicals and preservatives.
So, relieve your dry eye symptoms and enjoy a safe, clean, refreshing feeling every day, without the irritating side effects of preservatives!