4 Hidden Dangers of Over-the-Counter Eye Drops

Pop into any drug store and you’ll find a bevy of over-the-counter eye drops promising to help you combat dry eyes on your own. But beware these four hidden dangers of taking things into your own hands. Instead, get an eye exam in North Syracuse, NY.

1. Masking Underlying Conditions

If you find yourself consistently reaching for OTC eye drops at your local drugstore, chances are you have an underlying condition that needs to be professionally addressed. The dangers for people are self-diagnosing. You may think that having dry eyes isn’t serious, or that it’s caused by something you’ve detected in your environment; cleaning solutions, moving to a new city, smoking, getting a new job, etc. But those external factors might not be related at all, and you aren’t a TV detective. Your use of OTC eye drops could be masking an underlying condition that has nothing to do with anything you’ve thought of.

2. Preservative-Induced Irritation

Many OTC eye drops contain preservatives to prolong shelf life and prevent microbial growth. They may not even be specifically listed on the ingredients label, but they’re there, and you might be allergic to any number of them.

3. Vicious Cycle

Eye drops designed to reduce redness can cause a condition known as rebound redness. Temporarily, you might look in the mirror and think, wow, how great that all the redness is gone! But give it time. Once the effects of the drops wear off, the blood vessels in the eyes can dilate even more than before, making the whites red again. This creates a vicious cycle of dependency, where more drops are needed, and round and round it goes. Ironic, right?

4. Overuse Can Lead to Dry Eyes

Did you know that using eye drops can cause dry eyes? Crazy but true. Over time, these drug store OTC eye drops can decrease the eye’s natural ability to lubricate itself, worsening the symptoms of dry eye.

While OTC eye drops can be beneficial for temporary relief, it’s crucial to use them only as directed by your optometrist in North Syracuse, NY, and not as a long-term solution. If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s important to consult an optometrist.