Is there a difference between artificial tears and lubricant eye drops?

Besides lubricating your eyes, some artificial tears also promote healing of the eyes and others work to decrease tear evaporation. Artificial tears may also contain thickening agents, which keep the solution on the surface of your eyes longer. There are two categories of artificial tears: Eyedrops with preservatives.

Are lubricant drops the same as artificial tears?

The short answer is NO. The active ingredients among various brands of artificial tears may be the same, but if you look at how much of each drop contains the active ingredients, you will see that it is less than 5% of each drop.

Is it okay to use lubricating eye drops everyday?

“Unless you've been directed to use over-the-counter eye drops by your doctor, you shouldn't be using them on a daily basis. They aren't meant for long-term eye care, but they can certainly provide relief while you're searching for the reason for your condition,” he explains.

What does lubricant eye drops do?

Eye lubricants keep the eye moist, help to protect the eye from injury and infection, and decrease symptoms of dry eyes such as burning, itching, and feeling as if something is in the eye.

What is the difference between eye drops and eye lubricant?

Drops will have a thinner, more watery consistency while ointment will be very thick. Ointment is generally indicated for nighttime use, as it will cause vision to be blurry if used while awake. Some common brands of lubricant eye gel include GenTeal, Systane, and Refresh.

Best Dry Eye Drops - My Top 3 Artificial Tears Eye Drops

What eye drops are best for lubrication?

Is Lubricant Eye Drops Safe?

They are safe enough to be used daily for moisturizing comfort while helping to protect your eyes from further irritation. If you wear contacts, make sure you remove them before using these drops. Or, reach for Clear Eyes® Contact Lens Multi-Action Relief.

Do lubricating eye drops cause dry eyes?

This causes a “rebound” effect that can cause you to become dependent on the drops. Or, if your eyes are dry and itchy all the time, you might use artificial tears to help moisturize them. But overusing artificial tears can actually wash away your eye's own natural tears, making your eyes even drier.

How often can I use Systane lubricant eye drops?

Over the counter eye drops such as Systane Complete are typically used as needed up to four times a day or as recommended by your Eye Doctor.

Can artificial tears make dry eyes worse?

Artificial tears with them can be great because they're often cheaper. But for some people, they can make dry eyes worse. Some people are allergic to preservatives, and others may find that they irritate their eyes.

How often can you put artificial tears in your eyes?

In general, for most artificial tears, you do not want to use them more than 4 times a day. The reason is because most types of artificial tears contain preservatives. The current literature suggests that if you use them more than 4 times per day, you can actually “overload” your eyes with preservative.

What is the generic name for artificial tears?

Generic Name: artificial tears(hypromellose)

Can you use too much eye lubricant?

But overusing the drops can set up a cycle of dependency. Your eyes have to work even harder to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the blood vessels. The more you use the drops, the redder your eyes become. This is sometimes referred to as “rebound redness.” Eventually this can escalate to chronic eye redness.

Are artificial tears and systane the same?

The most significant difference is the preservative in the formulation (preservatives are needed to inhibit bacterial growth in the bottle). In order for generic tear drops to be less expensive, they use preservatives that are cheaper.

How do you lubricate your eyes?

Are all artificial tears the same?

There are many different types of artificial tears, and each can have different directions on how to properly use them. Long-term use of artificial tears isn't recommended and, in some cases, can make dry eyes worse.

Which is better systane or refresh tears?

Conclusion: Systane Gel Drops were associated with significantly better corneal staining scores versus Refresh Liquigel eye drops in patients with dry eye. Supportive efficacy outcomes were not significantly different between groups. Both treatments were well tolerated.

Is it OK to use artificial tears?

While artificial tears can provide temporary relief of dry eye symptoms, they can do more harm than good if the added preservatives irritate your eyes. Avoid artificial tears containing preservatives if they: Bother your eyes. Your dry eye is severe.

What is the best over-the-counter medicine for dry eyes?

Why do artificial tears burn my eyes?

Artificial tears are available with or without preservatives. If the drops burn or sting when you put them in your eyes, you are either not using them often enough or your eyes may be sensitive to the drops. Try some others.

Should you use eye drops before bed?

Use eye drops before bed

If you frequently experience dry eyes in the morning, apply eyedrops to your eyes each night before bed. Also, certain types of lubricating eye drops or ointments are best used before bedtime because they're thicker and can blur your vision.

What happens if you use eye drops everyday?

When overusing eye drops you can run the risk of: Washing away your natural tears. Artificial tears feel great as they lubricate your eyes and help with insufficient tear production. But overuse can literally wash away the natural moisturizers and your natural tears that protect your eyes.

When should you not use eye drops?

Second, it's not a good idea to use eye drops that are more than a month old. The preservatives that keep them sterile only last for about 28 days, and should definitely be disposed of after three months.

Are Thera tears artificial tears?

TheraTears Lubricant Eye Drops are hypo-osmotic which counteracts the hyperosmolarity of dry eyes. In fact, Theratears has the lowest osmolarity of any artificial tear on the market.