Eye drops can be a lifesaver for painful dry eyes that result from head colds, allergies, some medications and even strain from reading or using a computer. Having dry eyes is not only annoying, but can make you feel tired and sometimes leads to headaches. Be prepared to sooth and treat itchy, red, and dry eyes by having different types of eye drops in your medicine cabinet, as well as travel bottles for your purse or car. Remember to avoid touching the dropper – especially fingers or the surface of your eye – and to check expiration dates regularly and replace when needed.

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Tips for Buying Eye Drops

1. Make a symptoms checklist. Choose eye drops based on your symptoms by reading product labels and picking eye drops with the active ingredients you need. If you have dry eyes, artificial tears can lubricate and soothe. Saline eye drops are good for cleansing and moisturizing the eyes. But if you’re dealing with itchy, red, or watery eyes talk to your doctor about the benefits and cautions of using eye drops with antihistamines, decongestants, or other medications.
2. Liquid vs. gel. Most eye drops come in a liquid that’s meant to imitate the feel of real tears. You might also try eye drops made of gels, which claim to provide better, longer lasting relief from dry eyes.
3. To each his — or her — own. Eye drops are intended for use by one person, since infections are easily passed through the eyes. Consider buying each member of your family their own bottle. And if anyone gets an infection, immediately throw away their eye drops to stop the spread of germs.
4. Contact lens-friendly eye drops. If you wear contact lenses to correct vision, select specially formulated eye drops that are gentler and won’t interfere with your lenses. Contact-friendly eye drops are sometimes bundled with contact lens solution.
5. Short-term solution. Over-the-counter eye drops are only meant for short-term use to relieve dry eyes and other symptoms. Some eye drops contain preservatives and other chemicals which may irritate the eyes if used for long periods. Sometimes eye drops designed to reduce redness can inadvertently cause dryness, so be careful not to overuse them.
6. Know when to call your doctor. The majority of your family’s dry eyes and other issues may be relieved through eye drops purchased over the counter. However, if you suspect pink eye or another infection, discontinue use of OTC eye drops and call your doctor for help. For ongoing or repeated eye irritations, your doctor can help you explore the underlying causes, such as exposure to allergens or lack of sleep.

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications or other treatments.