Best Artificial Tear / Synthetic Tear for Dry Eye
The best Artificial Tear / Synthetic Tear for dry eye for you is a tough question to answer without background information. It is irresponsible for brands to make a claim to this title because drops are so different in their functions... or sometimes the best dry eye treatment is not a drop at all.
When any eye care provider is thinking about what Artificial Tear / Synthetic Tear for dry eye would provide the the most chance of success for a singular patient ... generally the tough process goes something like this:
- Symptomology and patterns?
- Environment?
- Age and sex?
- One or two eyes?
- Is there pathology like infection or dystrophy?
- Is there inflammation?
- Allergies?
- Are there blocked eyelid glands?
- What does the surface if the eye look like? Stain patterns?
- Blink issues? Anatomy issues?
- Current medications (systemic or Rx drops)? Contact lenses?
- Past attempts to solve dry eye issue?
- Ability to self-treat and maintain ongoing treatment?
- Expense of treatment?
- Visual Demands?
- Advanced testing like tear osmolarity etc
This is not a complete list but directionally it is accurate to illustrate what goes into trying to select the best treatment for you.
Seek the best advice from your Eye Care Professional or get a rudimentary place to start with our eye drops guidance tool.
A consistent global message that I give patients in clinic is that the best eye drops for dry eye do not have preservatives. Especially if there is ongoing treatment for glaucoma, there is absolutely no benefit to a dry eye drop with preservative. Different companies use different bottle technologies to accomplish this feat. Candorvision (HYLO) use a plunger and antimicrobial metal. Thea (Thealoz DUO) uses a filter and I-MED (PUR) uses a valve and metal. See the blog on preservatives vs. bottle technology.
Finally as a point of more of interest vs. science... Analyzing recommendations post work-ups... our primary care Optometry practice recommends Hyabak more that any other drop.
Dr Morris
