Are eye drops healthy for your eyes?
There’s no universal way to answer this question because of all the factors in play.
Think of eye drops like tools in a tool set. You have different tools for different jobs or purposes. Using the wrong tool for the job may just keep you from doing what you wanted, or it could have the opposite effect and cause harm instead. This is why talking to an eye care specialist is so important. They can tell you which eye drop product is best for you. They can also guide you on avoiding eye drops that won’t help or will cause harm.
Check for recalls
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates all eye drop products. They regularly issue updates about recalls and other safety-related eye drop issues. If you live outside the U.S., contact your healthcare provider or government agencies that oversee medication and medical product safety. This information changes frequently, so it’s a good idea to check recalls before you buy new eye drops.
What should I look for when buying eye drops?
The answer to this question varies. You should always look for eye drops that treat the issue you’re having. And always be sure to read the labels closely. Some other things are ones you should definitely avoid when buying eye drops.
Don’t use OTC eye drops for conditions that need prescription medications
Some conditions are too serious for OTC eye drops to treat. Conditions that have no OTC treatment include:
- Cataracts.
- Glaucoma.
- Retinal diseases like macular degeneration.
- Diabetes-related eye diseases like diabetes-related retinopathy and diabetes-related macular edema.
Don’t use OTC drops with certain ingredients, labeling or packaging issues
Eye drops in the U.S. should never contain the following:
- Silver sulfate (also known as argentum). This can cause an irreversible change in the color of the sclera, the white of your eye.
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Using this drug in eye drops is illegal in the U.S.
- Eye drops that include the word “homeopathic” on the label. Marketing these products for sale is illegal in the U.S.
What should I know to use eye drops safely?
Some important things to know about using eye drops include:
- Wash your hands before putting drops in. Your eyes are particularly vulnerable to infection, especially when your hands are so close to your eyes when putting drops in.
- Use drops prescribed for you exactly as instructed. Don’t use someone else’s prescription eye drops. It’s important to follow prescription instructions closely to get the best effects. If you have questions or concerns about how to use your eye drops, ask your eye specialist.
- Don’t use eye drops for other places on your body, and vice versa. While some home or folk remedies say you can use some eye/ear products interchangeably, doing this can be dangerous. And remember that eye drop and ear drop bottles may look alike, so be extra cautious if you’re taking multiple types of drops.
- Always close the cap on your eye drops. Uncapped or unclosed eye drop bottles are at risk for contamination from germs and harmful substances. And some eye drops contain ingredients that are good for your eyes but can make you (or children and pets) sick if you ingest them.
- Don’t touch the dropper tip to your eye. You can contaminate your eye drop bottle if the tip touches your eye. Germs that contaminate eye drops can lead to dangerous infections and permanent eye damage.
- Don’t use expired eye drops. Eye drops have a shelf life. After that time limit expires, the ingredients in the eye drops may not be effective. Expired eye drops may not work or could cause unwanted complications.
- Use caution when you buy. You might think about buying eye drops online because they’re less expensive, but make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller.
- Practice makes perfect. If you’re having trouble putting drops in your eyes, you’re far from alone. Your eyes automatically and reflexively blink when something touches your eyelashes or eye surface. While that reflex is there to protect you, it might be frustrating if it makes it hard to put drops in your eyes or the eyes of someone you’re caring for. Be patient, and if it continues to be an issue, talk to your eye specialist. They may be able to help.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
When your eyes hurt or are bothering you for some reason, it may feel hard to focus on anything else. All you know is you’ll go to great lengths to make your eyes feel better. Eye drops may help you, but it’s important to use them properly and safely.
“Over-the-counter” doesn’t mean eye drops are automatically safe. Be sure to talk to your eye care specialist to make sure you’re getting the right product and using it correctly. That way, you can focus on feeling better, drop by drop.
