Preservatives and the Eye

Preservatives can be useful if prolonging the shelf-life of a product benefits the end-user. They are used in eye care products to increase the shelf-life (preventing microbial contamination) making the products last longer for storage purposes.

Preservatives are made of synthetic chemicals. Using them in eye care products can lead to or exacerbate at least 3 of the following conditions:

  • dry eye – The disruption of the natural nature of the tear film can lead to faster evaporation of tears which cause dry eye signs and symptoms.
  • inflammation – People usually notice when the conjunctiva part of the eye is affected because the eye no longer appears white. The tissue’s thin mucosal layer sits on top of the sclera. It’s primary job is to keep the eye moist and produce tears.
  • toxicity – When the structure and/or function of the eye is negatively altered it can lead to a cascade of signs and symptoms such as pain, swelling, blurred vision, decreased vision, etc…

If you need to use preserved eye care products (drops, sprays, ointments, creams, serums, etc…) try to use them less frequently in the smallest potency in the shortest timespan as possible.

Ex: Option #1 – 3 times a day 0.025% for 1 month vs. Option #2 – 6 times a day 0.5% for 12 months.

In this example the 1st option is better for a preserved eye care product because the potential side-effects to the affected eye are less than the 2nd option.

Consult with an eye care professional to explore preservative-free options or other suitable alternatives if you are experiencing adverse effects from preservatives. Inquire about preservative-free eye care products (drops, sprays, creams, ointments, serums, etc…) or alternative formulations with less irritating preservatives.