Eye drops for dry eyes

In this article, we will provide you with information about the most popular medications used to eliminate the symptoms of tired and dry eyes. Eye drops for dry eyes are actively used when sitting at a computer for a long time, when working in a room with dry air conditioning, and also for some diseases that are accompanied by fatigue, redness and dry eyes.

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Indications for the use of eye drops for dry eyes

Indications for the use of eye drops for dry eyes are:

• redness, tearing and swelling of the eyes that occur in response to the effects of cosmetics, bright light, washing water, smoke and dust;
• blepharitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis;
• eye irritation due to contact lens use;
• prolonged visual strain.

Eye drops are used to treat erosive damage to the corneal layer, keratoconjunctivitis, and dystrophic pathologies of the cornea.

The drops can also be used as a complex therapy for infectious eye diseases, simultaneously with antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral therapy.

Dry eye drops can be used to treat and prevent eye diseases in people who wear contact lenses.

Release form

Eye drops are usually produced in glass or polymer jars or bottles, 3, 5, 10 or 15 ml each, complete with a special nozzle for dosing the product.

Names of eye drops for dry eyes:

• Natural tear – a substance similar in composition to human tears. Moisturizes the eyes and relieves signs of inflammation;
• Optiv is a moisturizing agent based on sodium carmellose and glycerol;
• Vial - drops based on tetryzoline, have an anti-allergic and anti-edematous effect;
• Lacrisify is a drug that creates invisible protection for the corneal epithelium;
• Vizmed is a sodium hyaluronate solution that restores the natural protective film and replenishes the lack of tear fluid;
• Oftalmoferon is an antiviral and antimicrobial ophthalmological drug that has a slight local anesthetic effect;
• Likontin is an isotonic drop that effectively eliminates symptoms of eye irritation, especially after using contact lenses;
• Hilo-Comod is a hyaluronic acid solution that eliminates discomfort when wearing contact lenses and helps with prolonged sitting at the computer;
• Vidisik is a drug containing an analogue of the tear film - a hydrophilic polymer that moisturizes the ocular surface and retains fluid, forming an invisible protective film;
• Vizomitin is an antioxidant keratoprotective drug that not only eliminates signs of the inflammatory process, but also normalizes the composition of the natural eye film;
• Oftolik - drops that protect the cornea in a state of reduced tear production. Reduce eye irritation, eliminate vascular networks;
• Inoxa is a hypoallergenic herbal remedy that contains extracts from plants such as cornflower, sweet clover, chamomile, elderberry and witch hazel;
• Oxial – drops that contain hyaluronic and boric acid, as well as various microelements;
• Hilozar-komod is a moisturizing agent based on dexpanthenol and sodium hyaluronate, suitable for all types of contact lenses
• Vizin is a sympathomimetic agent that eliminates swelling and constricts small blood vessels. Long-term use of the drug is not recommended;
• Systane Ultra is an effective moisturizer based on polydronium chloride that can be used without removing contact lenses.

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Pharmacodynamics of eye drops for dry eyes

The main active ingredients of eye drops for dry eyes are antiseptic and vasoconstrictors that relieve signs of an inflammatory reaction, eliminate conjunctival swelling and redness. The alpha-adrenergic stimulating effect of these agents allows the pupil to dilate and reduce the production of intraocular fluid.

Eye drops can also have a restorative effect on the mucous membrane: the active substances of eye drops accelerate local metabolic processes and support the regeneration of mucous tissues damaged by the inflammatory process.

Thus, such uncomfortable sensations as burning, dryness, and the feeling of a foreign body in the eyes are eliminated quite quickly.

Pharmacokinetics of eye drops for dry eyes

After using eye drops for dry eyes, their effect becomes noticeable within a few minutes. The effect can last up to 8 hours.

There is virtually no penetration of eye drops into the systemic bloodstream. As a rule, eye drops are gradually removed from the surface of the eye during blinking and through the lacrimal ducts into the nasal cavity.

Method of administration and dosage

Almost all drops for dry eyes are used according to one generally accepted scheme. Although, of course, in the presence of a certain eye disease, the method of using drops and dosage are largely determined by the course of the pathology.

Before instillation, be sure to wash your hands to avoid introducing infection into your eyes.

Before opening the bottle of drops, make sure that the solution complies with the expiration date and does not contain any turbidity or visible sediment.

Open the bottle, prepare a clean napkin or cotton pad.

Tilt your head back and bring the dispenser 2-3 cm from the surface of the eye. Do not touch the eyelashes or the edges of the eyelids under any circumstances.

Pull the skin under the eye slightly so that the lower eyelid moves slightly away from the surface of the eye. When instilling, try to look not at the dispenser, but as upward as possible.

Place 1-2 drops in one eye, up to 4 times a day.

After instillation, you can blink a little, then close your eyes for 2 minutes.

After the procedure, gently blot your eye with a napkin. Do not rub or scratch your eye!

For children under 6 years of age, drops can only be used under the supervision of a doctor.

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Using Dry Eye Eye Drops During Pregnancy

Of course, during pregnancy you should refrain from treatment with any drugs, because medicinal substances can negatively affect the child and the pregnancy as a whole. However, many experts are inclined to believe that when using eye drops locally, their entry into the general bloodstream and systemic effect on the body is too small to carry a potential danger.

Therefore, doctors do not prohibit the use of eye drops for dry eyes, but they recommend choosing those drugs that do not contain antibiotics and preservatives.

Such eye medications include:

• Inoksa is a well-known and proven remedy for eliminating eye fatigue and redness. These are absolutely natural drops that do not contain chemical components. The product has no contraindications and does not cause allergic reactions;
• Natural tear is a product that can compensate for the lack of tear fluid on the surface of the eye. It consists of a polymeric water-soluble system that is evenly distributed and actively interacts with the natural tear fluid.

As a rule, the usual scheme of using eye drops does not have a harmful effect on pregnant women. Using the drugs too often and for a long time is not allowed: if the discomfort in the eyes does not go away after 3-4 days of using the drugs, be sure to consult a doctor.

Contraindications to the use of eye drops for dry eyes

The most important contraindication to the use of eye drops for dry eyes is the patient's tendency to allergy to any of the components of the drug. If after instillation of the drug the condition of the eye worsens, redness, itching, burning in the eye appears, you should stop using the drug and consult a doctor who will prescribe you other drops that are non-allergenic in your case.

Not all medications can be used to treat eye fatigue in children, so be sure to read the instructions before using the product.

As a rule, drops for dry eyes are not prescribed to patients with closed-angle glaucoma.

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Side effects of eye drops for dry eyes

Often, after using eye drops for dry eyes, isolated side effects may be observed:

• burning and stinging sensation in the eyes;
• conjunctival irritation;
• temporary redness of the eyes, feeling of “foggy” vision;
• temporary dilation of the pupil;
• increased lacrimation;
• temporary development of photophobia;
• formation of crusts in the corners of the eyelids.

Very rarely, when using high doses of drugs, sympathomimetic effects may be observed: increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, sweating.

When using drugs in recommended doses, the severity of side effects is usually minimal.

Overdose

If you use drops for dry eyes according to the instructions and doctor's recommendations, an overdose of the drug is considered impossible.

If eye drops are accidentally swallowed, this may cause a slow heartbeat, drowsiness, a drop in blood pressure, a drop in body temperature, weakness, apathy. In the case of taking a very large number of drops, even respiratory arrest and a comatose state may occur.

If the drug was accidentally swallowed, it is necessary to immediately wash out the stomach and take a sufficient amount of activated carbon or another sorbent substance orally.

Interactions of eye drops for dry eyes with other drugs

Ophthalmologists do not recommend using eye drops for dry eyes at the same time as any other eye medications. In addition, direct contact between drops and soft contact lenses should be avoided: sometimes this can affect their transparency.

If the doctor has prescribed you several eye products at the same time, remember: there should be 10-15 minutes between using one product and the next. If you do not wait until the break is over, the first product will simply be washed out by the second, without having the necessary effect on the eye surface.

Storage conditions for eye drops for dry eyes

Eye drops for dry eyes are most often stored in the refrigerator. If the package is not opened, the drug can be stored at room temperature, in a dark place and out of reach of children's pranks.

The shelf life of the drugs is up to 3 years. An opened bottle should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 1 month, after which the product should be thrown away.

If the symptoms of irritation do not go away or even get worse after several days of using the drops, you should stop using the product and seek help from an ophthalmologist. The following symptoms require urgent attention from a specialist:

• sudden deterioration of vision;
• double vision;
• sharp headache;
• the appearance of spots in the eyes.

Dry eye eye drops should not be used if the product has changed color or become cloudy during storage.

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