Preservative-free eye drops are simply eye drops that do not contain any of the preservatives usually added to make the eye drop formula last longer and prevent bacteria from growing. Most of the major categories of eye drops, from those meant for lubricating dry eyes to those that diminish redness or treat other problems, have preservative-free options. Frequently, eye doctors recommend or prescribe eye drops without preservatives because they generally do not cause as much eye irritation as preserved drops.
Most of the time, individuals with sensitive eyes that may be irritated by the addition of preservatives to the formula are better off choosing eye drops that are preservative-free. Preservative-free eye drops are also good options for people who have chronic dry or irritated eyes and use the eye drops frequently, as using eye drops that contain preservatives on a frequent, regular basis is generally not good for the eyes and may actually make eye irritation worse. Many patients who have had laser eye surgery or other invasive procedures on the eyes are instructed by their doctors to only use preservative-free eye drops until the eye is completely healed, because eye drops with preservatives may impede the healing process.
Generally, preservative-free eye drops are packaged into multiple small, single-use containers within a larger box. This is because, once the eye drops are opened, they are more likely to allow bacteria to grow than eye drops with preservatives. Therefore, to avoid infection, eye drops without preservatives are discarded after one use. Unfortunately for users who need them, eye drops without preservatives are typically more expensive than the preserved kind, both because of the individual packaging and because the formula needs to be replaced more often to prevent the eye drops from spoiling.
Some individuals who use preservative-free eye drops find that their eyes are still irritated by the drops despite the lack of preservatives. It is important that an individual who has this problem consults his or her doctor to rule out an eye infection or other problem. Aside from the preservatives in the formula, the problem may also be caused by the individual using eye drops that are meant to solve a problem other than the one he or she is experiencing, such as trying to treat dry eyes with drops that reduce redness. In some cases, it may be a simple matter of switching to another brand of eye drops that uses different ingredients, but it is always a good idea to visit the doctor first to make sure there is not a more serious issue developing.
