Are over the counter eye drops bad for you?
It is not possible to become overly dependent on artificial tears without preservatives. Because these eye drops contain harmless moisturizers and no medication, they’re very safe no matter how often they are used. Some eye drops contain benzalkonium chloride preservative, which can cause hypersensitivity reactions.
Can too much eye drops help dry eyes?
Like any medication, eyedrops must be taken as directed. And unless your doctor has instructed you to do so, eyedrops should not be taken on a daily basis for weeks at a time. Eyedrops are meant only as a temporary fix — not a long-term solution. In fact, overusing eyedrops can actually put your eye health at risk.
When to use over the counter eye drops?
If you have mild dry eye, you may already use over-the-counter eye drops to keep your eyes in good shape. If you have a more serious form of dry eye, you may need to work with your optometrist to get prescription eye drops. Over-the-counter eye drops come in two basic varieties: with preservatives and without.
Do you need prescription eye drops for dry eye?
If you have a more serious form of dry eye, you may need to work with your optometrist to get prescription eye drops. Over-the-counter eye drops come in two basic varieties: with preservatives and without. Eye drops that have preservatives contain chemicals that discourage bacterial growth once the bottle has been opened.
Are there any risks with OTC eye drops?
But OTC eye drops come with their own set of risks. Some drops contain chemicals that your eyes should not be exposed to long term. Because of this, you have to be careful to only use a certain amount of drops every day. There are two types of artificial tears: eye drops with preservatives and preservative-free eye drops.
What happens if you rub your eye with eye drops?
Some cases take care of themselves; others require a prescription antibiotic. Eye trauma: Rubbing or scratching your eye can cause a blood vessel break, making the eye red and itchy. Some more serious traumas will require surgery or prescription eye drops.
If you have mild dry eye, you may already use over-the-counter eye drops to keep your eyes in good shape. If you have a more serious form of dry eye, you may need to work with your optometrist to get prescription eye drops. Over-the-counter eye drops come in two basic varieties: with preservatives and without.
Are there any eye drops that dry out eyes?
It may sound crazy, but certain eyedrops actually exacerbate dry eye symptoms. “Avoid the drops that ‘get the red out,’” Dr. Maskin cautions. Visine (tetrahydrozoline ophthalmic), for one, works by narrowing blood vessels to the eyes to reduce redness. But when the drops wear off, the vessels dilate and can become inflamed again.
But OTC eye drops come with their own set of risks. Some drops contain chemicals that your eyes should not be exposed to long term. Because of this, you have to be careful to only use a certain amount of drops every day. There are two types of artificial tears: eye drops with preservatives and preservative-free eye drops.
What happens if you use eye drops for a long time?
Using these for a long time can actually increase dryness and irritation. Neither artificial tears nor medicated eye drops require a prescription. These are different than antibiotic or steroid drops you may get from your doctor for other conditions.