Ophthalmologist Vicente Miralles shares the key to buying cheap but effective artificial tears: "You have to pay attention to this."
Artificial tears are ophthalmic solutions that simulate the composition of natural tears and are used to relieve dry eyes caused by, among other conditions, dry eye syndrome (very prevalent in Spain). Thanks to its lubricating effect, this liquid solution helps maintain moisture on the outer surface of the eyes.
However, despite being a widely available solution that doesn't require a prescription , it's not easy to know which product is best for use on something as delicate as the eyes. In this regard, ophthalmologist Vicente Miralles advises considering two factors when purchasing artificial tears (and neither of them is the price).
Are cheap artificial tears bad for your eyes?According to expert Dr. Vicente Miralles, the price of artificial tears , which we can purchase without a prescription, is not a criterion to consider when choosing one over the other.
The two things we should look out for when purchasing them are that they contain hyaluronic acid in their formulation, and secondly, that they don't contain preservatives. "Hyaluronic acid is very good because it's a molecule that can retain large amounts of water, which will provide long-lasting, natural hydration for the eyes. But just because they don't contain this acid doesn't mean they're not good," he explains.
Regarding preservatives, something the expert considers important is that "they do not contain preservatives. For example, one of the most common is benzalkonium chloride ; if we use artificial tears in large quantities and they contain this preservative, they will most likely end up irritating our eyes ," warns Miralles.
How do artificial tears work?At Mayo Clinic, they begin by explaining that artificial tears are "eye drops that lubricate dry eyes and help maintain moisture on the outer surface of the eyes. Dry eyes can be caused by aging, certain allergy medications , recent surgery, or environmental factors, such as smoky or windy conditions."
In addition to moisturizing your eyes when they feel itchy, gritty, or dry , some artificial tears "also promote healing. Others slow tear evaporation. Artificial tears may also contain thickening agents, which help keep the solution on the surface of your eyes longer."
There are two types of artificial tears: some in eye drop form, which include preservatives to prevent bacterial growth once the bottle is opened. Preservatives can irritate your eyes, especially if you have moderate or severe dry eyes.
Those that do not contain preservatives, which Miralles recommends, have fewer additives and are usually recommended if we apply artificial tears more than four times a day or if we suffer from moderate or severe dry eyes.
20minutos
