How Do Ophthalmic Lubricants Work?

Ophthalmic lubricants are medications that lubricate the eye surface and keep it moist. Most ophthalmic lubricants are artificial tears, which have a combination of ingredients that work similarly to natural tears. Several types of ophthalmic lubricants with different combinations of lubricating substances are available over the counter and on prescription.

Some ophthalmic lubricants are also antiseptic solutions that are antimicrobial and reduce the risk of infection. Some ophthalmic lubricants have medications that constrict blood vessels and reduce redness in the eye, or zinc sulfate, an astringent that dries the mucus and relieves eye irritation.

Ophthalmic lubricants are topically administered on the eye surface and are available in several forms such as:

• Solutions
• Ointments
• Emulsions
• Gel drops
• Spray solutions
• Ophthalmic insert

Ophthalmic lubricants may be used occasionally or regularly depending on the cause of dry eyes. Ophthalmic lubricants may be used:

• For temporary relief from burning and irritation due to:
  • Wind and sun
  • Heating or air-conditioning
  • Computer use and reading
• Regularly to protect the eye from dryness and irritation due to:
  • Certain medical conditions
  • Medications
  • Aging
• To relieve ocular redness and irritation
• For symptom relief in moderate to severe dry eye syndromes such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Side effects of ophthalmic lubricants may include:

Ocular side effects:

• Blurred vision
• Eye pain
• Itching and stinging
• Discomfort and irritation
• Redness in and around the eyes
• Crusting of eyelids
• Stickiness of eyelashes
• Light sensitivity
• Edema of eyelids
• Dilation of blood vessels in the eye (ocular hyperemia)
• Rebound hyperemia in the conjunctiva, the clear membrane over the whites of the eye and inside eyelid surface
• Transient ocular dryness
• Increased pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure)

Systemic side effects:

• Headache
• Skin rash
• Hypersensitivity

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand name of some ophthalmic lubricant drugs include:

• Carboxymethylcellulose ophthalmic (TheraTears Nighttime Dry Eye Therapy, Refresh Optive Gel Drops)
• Hydroxyethyl cellulose ophthalmic (Rohto Hydra)
• Hypromellose/carboxymethylcellulose ophthalmic (Genteal Lubricant Eye Drops)
• Hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic (Lacrisert)
• Mineral oil/petrolatum ophthalmic (Systane Nighttime Lubricant Eye Ointment)
• Polyethylene glycol 400/propylene glycol ophthalmic (Systane Gel Drops, Systane Preservative-Free, Systane Ultra)
• Povidone ophthalmic (Soothe Hydration Lubricant Eye Drops)
• Propylene glycol ophthalmic (Systane Balance)
• Tetrahydrozoline/zinc sulfate/Hypromellose ophthalmic (Rohto Ice, Rohto Relief)
• Artificial tears spray solution with retinyl palmitate/tocopheryl acetate/magenesium ascorbyl phosphate/polysorbate 80/sodium chloride/sodium hydroxide/phenoxyethanol/alcohol/disodium EDTA/PEG-12/glyceryl
• Artificial tears solutions, gels, ointments and emulsions (Tears Naturale, Isopto Tears, Bion Tears, LubriTears, Refresh Celluvisc, Bausch and Lomb Advanced Eye Relief, Visine Tears Dry Eye Relief, Lacrilube, Liquifilm Tears, Lacril, Minims Artificial Tears)
• Artificial tears are formulations of one or more lubricating substances in different concentrations. Artificial tears ingredients may include the following:
• Glycerin
• Propylene glycol
• Polyvinyl alcohol
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Povidone)
• Dextran 70
• Polyethylene glycol 400
• Methylcellulose 2910
• Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2901
• Polysorbate 80
• White petrolatum
• Mineral oil
• Anhydrous liquid lanolin
• Hypromellose
• Phosphoric acid
• Sodium hydroxide
• Sodium perborate
• Sodium chloride
• Sodium borate
• Sodium chlorite
• Sodium hyaluronate
• Potassium chloride
• Carboxymethylcellulose