Best over-the-counter eye drops of 2024

Before purchasing any type of eye drops, it is important to talk to your doctor so he can evaluate your problem. In some cases, over-the-counter eye drops are sufficient, but in other cases, you may need prescription eye drops.

If your problem can be solved using eye drops available without a prescription, you should know that there are drops that contain preservatives and others without them. Preservative-free eye drops are generally safe for most people, including pregnant women. Drops containing preservatives should be used more conservatively as they may aggravate some conditions. The same applies to other drops, such as those used to relieve redness.

“Poor-quality artificial tears, or those that promote the color red, often contain chemicals that can cause problems including rebound redness, dilated eyes, corneal toxicity, blurred vision, and worsening of dry eye disease,” Kotting warned.

Dr. Edmund FarisThese preservatives have the ability to change the aspects of the eye, added the assistant professor of ophthalmology at Mount Sinai University. “The preservatives found in most drops can alter the surface of the cornea and cause loss of superficial corneal cells, which can ultimately lead to more symptoms,” he said. So, if you use these types of drops a lot, this could become a problem.

Some signs to watch for if you think you are having an adverse reaction to eye drops include redness that gets worse, irritation, blurred vision, and a burning or gritty sensation. This is often caused by preservatives found in some drops. If these symptoms do not improve, it may indicate an allergy or sensitivity to the drops, Cotting said. “However, if a person notices that they are experiencing increased itching, swelling around the eye, or swollen and red whites of the eye, they should immediately stop taking the drops and contact their eye care professional,” she added.