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It might be time to consider preservative-free eye drops.

When buying or filling a prescription for eye drops you may wonder, which is better? The eye drops with preservatives, or the preservative-free version? What is best for MY eyes?

Why should “eye” care about preservatives in eye drops?

Preservatives have long been used in eye drops to prevent bacterial growth and prolong shelf-life.1-3 Most over-the-counter and prescription eye drops, including artificial tears, anti-redness and allergy relief drops, and some glaucoma medications, contain a preservative known as benzalkonium chloride (BAK).1-3

There is growing evidence that frequent and long-term use of eye drops with BAK can cause discomfort, irritation and dry eyes.1-6 When regularly used with other prescription eye drops that also contain BAK, the harmful effects of preservatives add up, causing these negative effects to get worse and damage the surface of the eye.1-6 These effects negatively impact quality of life, can complicate eye surgery and other treatments, and may be enough to drive many to stop using their eye treatments.1-6

Preservative-free over-the-counter and prescription eye drops are becoming more widely available. These formulations cause less irritation to the eye, particularly for those who have dry eye disease or other ocular surface disease.1-3,5,6

What if some of my drops have preservatives?

The number of preservative-free options is increasing, but not all eye drops have preservative-free alternatives. Even if there is a preservative-free version, it may not be necessary to switch if your current eye drops are working well for you and you are not experiencing irritation.

If you are on many types of eye drops, even changing one to preservative-free can make a difference. Talk to your doctor about how you could limit the number of preservatives across your treatment plan.

Why might preservative-free be suggested for me?

Preservative-free eye drops are suitable for most people, and your eye doctor might suggest these formulations if you experience the following:1-6

  • Sensitivity or irritation when you use eye drops

  • Have had an allergic reaction to preservative-containing eye drops

  • Need frequent and long-term use of eye drops

  • Have been diagnosed with ocular surface disease

  • Have a treatment plan that includes multiple types of eye drops

  • Have a chronic condition such as severe dry eye disease or glaucoma

  • Require eye drops throughout the day and wear contact lenses - preservatives can damage contact lenses

How do I choose preservative-free over-the-counter drops?

Your eye doctor can recommend trusted brands that are right for you. It is important to buy eye drops from reputable pharmacies, optical stores or authorized online dealers. If you are looking for over-the-counter preservative-free eye drops, you can look for:

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References:

  1. Thygesen J. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12: 707-717.

  2. Goldstein MG, et al. Eye. 2022;36:361-368.

  3. Zhang X, et al. Eye Contact Lens. 2019;45(1):11-18.

  4. Baudouin C, et al. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 2020; 83.

  5. Chamard C, et al. Acta Ophthalmol. 2020;98:e879-e881.

  6. Harasymowycz P, et al. Adv Ther. 2021;38:3019–3031.

PRC-EN-2272-v1 12.2024