Best Over-the-Counter Eye Drops of 2024
Before purchasing any type of eye drops, be sure to consult your doctor so they can evaluate your problem. In some cases, over-the-counter eye drops are enough, but in other cases, you may need prescription drops.
If your problem can be solved with over-the-counter eye drops, you should know that some eye drops contain preservatives and some do not. Preservative-free eye drops are generally safe for most people, including pregnant women. Drops containing preservatives should be used more conservatively, as they may worsen some cases. The same goes for other drops, such as those to relieve redness and swelling.
Curtin warns: “Inferior-quality artificial tears, or those promoted as red, often contain chemicals that can cause problems including rebound redness, eye dilation, corneal toxicity, blurred vision and worsening of dry eye syndrome.”
Dr. Edmund FarrisThe preservatives have the ability to change various aspects of the eye, added the clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at Mount Sinai. “The preservatives in most drops can change the surface of the cornea, causing loss of these superficial corneal cells, which can ultimately lead to more symptoms,” he says. So if you use these types of drops too often, this could become A question.
If you think you’re having a bad reaction to eye drops, some signs to watch for include increased redness, irritation, blurred vision, and a burning or gritty sensation. Usually, this happens due to the preservatives contained in some drops. If these symptoms don’t improve, it may indicate an allergy or sensitivity to the drops, Curtin said. “However, if a person notices that their itching increases, there is swelling around the eyes, or the whites of the eyes become swollen and red, they should stop their eye drops immediately and call an eye care professional,” she added.
