Eye drops contain anti-inflammatory ingredients. Sometimes, eye itching or congestion caused by swimming or staying up late can be symptoms of conjunctivitis, which require treatment with eye drops. However, eye drops also contain a certain level of preservatives, which is quite controversial. Some people believe that the preservatives in eye drops can damage the eye membrane. However, the use of preservatives in eye drops is subject to relevant regulations. So, what are the main components of preservatives in eye drops?

Ingredients of Eye Drops

1. Additives in Eye Drops

Eye drops with additives refer to those containing preservatives. In order to prevent microbial contamination during the application of ophthalmic preparations, most eye drops, especially those in large dosages, need to be added with antimicrobial agents. However, the country has strict regulations on the use of additives in eye drops, ranging from 1‰ to 2‰. Most eye drops used in clinical medicine contain additives to prevent deterioration after the first application due to contact with air. Bulk eye drops sold in the market, such as those in 5ml to 10ml packages, must contain additives; otherwise, they cannot be used for a long time. However, the additive components of these eye drops mostly meet the requirements of our country. When using eye drops, patients should follow the doctor's instructions and use them appropriately and not excessively. Under these conditions, the additives are unlikely to cause harm to the eyes. It should be noted that long-term or excessive use of eye drops may damage the natural tear film and affect its nourishing and repairing functions for the eye tissue cells.

2. Other Ingredients in Eye Drops: Hormones

Eye drops containing hormones must be used with caution. Some patients with eye itching or chronic conjunctivitis may buy medication from pharmacies without consulting an ophthalmologist due to unimpaired vision. Pharmacy staff are not ophthalmologists and may not be aware of the duration of medication use for patients. They may sell corticosteroid eye drops based on patients' needs. Consequently, a large number of "corticosteroid-induced glaucoma" cases have occurred. This type of glaucoma is often difficult to detect in its early stages and is diagnosed as glaucoma only in its late stages, when vision loss is irreversible.

Antibiotics

Long-term unreasonable eye use and insufficient rest often lead to increased redness or discomfort in the eyes. However, these conditions are often mistakenly attributed to bacterial infections. Chloramphenicol eye drops and tobramycin eye drops containing antibiotics become choices for relieving these symptoms. Although these eye drops can quickly alleviate the above problems, long-term use can also lead to "corticosteroid-induced glaucoma".

Anti-inflammatory Ingredients

Eye itching, congestion, and other conjunctivitis symptoms caused by staying up late or swimming are often treated with eye drops containing anti-inflammatory ingredients such as naphazoline, which constricts blood vessels, and antihistamines like chlorpheniramine. Although these eye drops can effectively treat conjunctivitis symptoms, they are not suitable for long-term use and should be discontinued after symptoms improve.