Types of Eye Drops To Help Lubricate the Eyes

Eye drops can aid us in eye problems but they must be used with care and precaution in order not to cause further eye problems. First, it is important to know the 3 different types of eye drops.

Artificial Tears

These are the common eye drops for dry eyes. Its main purpose is to keep the eye’s external surface moist and comfortable by imitating real tears. It may also contain electrolytes like
sodium and potassium to aid in the healing process of the eye’s surface.

Allergy Drops
These eye drops are used to relieve the symptoms of itchy, watery, and red eyes caused by allergies. These allergens include animal fur, pollens, or molds. When the body has an allergic
reaction, the body will release histamines which trigger a runny nose and itchy eyes. Antihistamines found on allergy drops block histamines and prevent the symptoms of allergy.
Mast-cell stabilizers, which are the newest type of allergy eye drops, hinder the body from creating histamines.

Anti-Redness Drops
These drops are also called decongestant drops which clear the eye’s red appearance. These eye drops also contain histamines and can block allergy symptoms. Anti-redness drops are not
suitable for people with dry eyes though. Preservatives and thickening agents found in eye drops can cause eye irritation when used for too long that’s why we must not be using eye drops beyond its prescription period unless it is just a simple saline solution. In a day, a person must not exceed four doses of any kind of eye drops that contain preservatives. If a frequent dosage of eye drops is required, it is highly suggested to choose and select the ones without preservatives. When applying eye drops, its container should never come in direct physical contact with any object in order to avoid contamination and infection. Its lid must be tightly and cautiously closed.

No eye drop solution must be used for more than four months after opening because fungal or bacterial infection and contamination may very likely occur.