Red, itchy, dry eyes send many people dashing to the nearest pharmacy for relief in the form of eye drops. Over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops options include artificial tears for lubrication and options for red eye relief and allergies.
Man Li Jin, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Henry Ford Health explains the potential risk of eye infection linked with using eye drops. “It’s important to understand that eye drops are different than other OTC oral medications because they go directly to the eye, bypassing the body’s natural immune barriers, and making infection more likely.”
Understanding which eye drops are safe and how to use them properly helps protect your eye and vision health.
How To Choose Eye Drops
OTC eye drops are subject to FDA approval, and they are only considered safe for use if they’re sterile. Recently, the FDA issued a warning urging consumers to avoid using 26 types of OTC eye drops after investigators found bacteria in manufacturer production zones.
“Always check the recall list before you buy a new OTC product,” Dr. Jin recommends. And because products made overseas may be sold online, which bypasses the FDA approval process, she recommends using eyedrops made in the USA.
Using Eye Drops Safely
Once you’ve chosen a good eye drop, knowing how to use it is the next step. A few easy steps can help protect your eyes and vision and make you less prone to infections.
Avoid using the same container for too long
Eye Care At Henry Ford
Eye drop packaging may promise the product will last for one or two years, but using the same container for a long time can increase the risk of infection. “It’s best to throw away opened bottles of eye drops after four weeks of use,” says Dr. Jin.
An even safer choice is single-use eye drops. “The safest eye drops are the individual vials with small amounts. Use the drops, and then throw the container away,” Dr. Jin adds.
Pay attention to the packaging
Some medications are more stable at lower temperatures and refrigeration may reduce the chances of bacteria growth. So if your eye drops come in a package that specifies storage in the refrigerator, heed that warning. If your eye drops brand doesn’t require refrigeration, Dr. Jin suggests storing them in a dust-free cabinet with stable room temperature.
Keep clean
Before applying eye drops, wash your hands with soap and water. Hand sanitizer has alcohol and other chemicals that could irritate the eye.
To keep your hands away from your eyes and still get the drops in, Dr. Jin advises using your non-dominant hand to pull your lower lid down. This creates a pocket to drop the eye drops into. With your dominant hand, rest your hand on your nose. Then position the eye drop over your eye and apply.
If you have joint problems or trouble holding your hand still, she recommends an alternate method: Wash the skin around your eye with soap, water and a clean towel. Keep your eyes closed, tilt your chin up, drop the eye drops into the inner corner and blink them into your eye.
When To See An Eye Care Professional
“If you find yourself thinking about getting eye drops from the pharmacy, and you’ve never seen a doctor about it, you should get a baseline eye exam,” says Dr. Jin. “Many eye diseases can manifest as eye irritation and blurriness, and the only way to get answers is by seeing an eye care professional. If you are already using OTC artificial tears and things don’t get better—or worsen despite using them—it’s time to be seen.”
Reviewed by Dr. Man Li Jin, an ophthalmologist who sees patients at Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford Ophthalmology - Grosse Pointe and Henry Ford OptimEyes Super Vision Center - Troy.
