How can preservative free eye drops last longer?
Most people know that when a standard eye drop bottle is opened... the expiration date on the bottle becomes irrelevant and the bottle should be disposed in 30 days. So how can eye drops with no preservatives last 3mth... 6mths...12mths after opening?! It is logical to believe that eye drops with preservative last longer. Why is this logic incorrect?
There are two ways to delivery preservative free eye drops.
- Individual use vials where expiration date is marked but once opened, must be used in 24 hours
- Hi tech bottles with expiration date when sealed and last 3-12 months once opened
So how can preservative free eye drops in bottles last longer?
This blog is about those high tech bottles
The answer to this question is not in the contents... it is the bottle. Hi-tech bottles protect their contents from bacteria and fungus better than in-bottle preservatives. These special bottles also extend the shelf life of an open bottle and ultimately saves the user money and wasted drops
Non-Preserved eye drops are regarded as healthier for the cornea... especially in compromised tissue situations.
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.
Bottom line - non-preserved eye drops in these high tech bottles can sit on your desk or counter longer while being safer and more effective than standard, preserved, cheaper eye drops.
Almost all of our eye drops at mEYEspa are non-preserved. I have found better clinic outcomes utilizing the great bottle tech. Note - There are also some non-preserved drops available only in individual use containers (Thealoz DUO Gel)
Clinical Comments - Dr Jason Morris
https://www.meyespa.com/pages/contact-us
Away from corporate influences and their churn, I believe in time and an unhurried environment. At mEYEspa and my clinic, we are UNcorporate Optometry. I have special interest in occupational vision needs, concussive injury to the visual system and dry eye management. I am the owner of mEYEspa and a dedicated to the delivery of relevant information and clinic-tested eye care products. -Doctor of Optometry - University of Waterloo 1994 -Honors Bachelor of Science – Waterloo 1994 -Registered Ontario College of Optometrists -Member of Ontario Association of Optometrists -Member of Canadian Association of Optometrists -10 year straight winner of 3 Best Rated Optometrists London ON
