The best dry eye drops in the UK 2023

Agepha-pharma Viscosan eye drops 1
9/10

Best value for money

Agepha-pharma Viscosan eye drops

The best dry eye drops in 2021

viscosan eye drops with hypromellose are active tear substitutes for dry, itchy and red eyes.

8,72 £ on Amazon

Viscosan drops are a highly effective tear substitute that rapidly alleviates the effects of corneal and conjunctival dehydration caused by lacrimation and tear gland disorders. The hypromellose in Viscosan drops increases the viscosity of the tear fluid and reduces surface tension. The solution remains on the eye and gives the cornea good protection against eye irritation from non-infectious causes. When instilled into the conjunctival sac, the solution spreads quickly over the entire surface of the eye and forms a thin, transparent film that adheres well to the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye and provides adequate hydration.

These hypromellose eye drops are active tear substitutes for dry, red and itchy eyes. Viscosan eye drops can also be used to rewet rigid contact lenses. As for dosage, you can administer 1 drop in the conjunctival sac 3 to 5 times a day. The dosage can be increased as needed. If you wear soft contact lenses, they must be removed before application and reinserted only 15 minutes after administration.

HerbalGem Optigem 2
7/10

Best value for money

HerbalGem Optigem

The best cheap dry eye drops in 2021

Do you have dry, tired, irritated eyes and need drops to relieve the symptoms? Try HerbalGem Optigem drops. They are perfectly organic, effective and affordable.

6,80 £ on Amazon

The eye drops Optagem of the brand HerbalGem are composed of 100 % natural ingredients since they have a formula containing distillation of flowers of cornflower (spring water + cornflower). They do not represent any risk for your eyes. On the contrary, they form a protective layer on the surface of the eye.

These drops are intended to ensure the comfort of your eyes in any occasion: that they are tired, irritated by the sun, by the air-conditioning or by the computers, these drops will bring an immediate relief to them. They will also allow you to lubricate your eyes when using contact lenses. As for the dosage, you just have to put 2 to 3 drops in the eye up to 4 times a day. You can even use it to soothe your tired eye area. Be careful, do not use this product on children under 6 years old without asking a doctor's advice.

iGel eye drops 3
8/10

Best premium value for money

iGel eye drops

The best premium dry eye drops in 2021

Here you have dry eye drops presented in a gel form formulated from natural ingredients that protects your eyes while moistening them. They are easy to use, effective and without preservatives.

11,84 £ on Amazon

iGel is a sterile, preservative-free, viscoelastic and transparent protective shield for the cornea. It is made exclusively of natural and biological substances. Indeed, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural humectant produced by the body, like tears. And like tears, iGel will form a protective film that will protect, moisten and lubricate the surface of the eye.

These dry eye drops will help relieve the symptoms of dry eye caused by: dry keratoconjunctivitis (Sjögren's syndrome), contact lens wear, corneal lesions, erosion, corneal surgery. But also by a hormonal imbalance (menopause), by air conditioning, work on screen, etc. Note that these drops have an expiration date of 6 months (after opening), and are compatible with all types of lenses.

Ocusan single dose eye drops 4
8/10

The alternative

Ocusan single dose eye drops

A good alternative

Ocusan Dry Eye Drops come in individual bottles. They are formulated with sodium hyaluronate to protect, moisten and lubricate the eyes.

12,32 £ on Amazon

Ocusan Dry Eye Drops protect, moisten and lubricate the surface of the eye and contact lenses. They protect the surface of your cornea by creating a transparent and viscoelastic protective shield. These drops are sterile, without preservatives and are composed only of natural biological substances, in particular sodium hyaluronate (0.2%).

They are perfect for relieving discomfort due to mechanical, environmental and visual stress. They are therefore suitable for the treatment of dry eyes caused by keratoconjunctivitis sicca (Sjogren's syndrome), corneal abrasions, erosions, corneal surgery. As well as by wearing contact lenses and hormonal imbalances. After applying Ocusan drops, your eyes will be soothed and rested, and they will also look brighter and more luminous.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best dry eye drops

Any specific needs?

The best dry eye drops in 2021

The best cheap dry eye drops in 2021

The best premium dry eye drops in 2021

A good alternative

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best dry eye drops

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE ALTERNATIVE
Agepha-pharma Viscosan eye drops 5
9/10
HerbalGem Optigem 6
7/10
iGel eye drops 7
8/10
Ocusan single dose eye drops 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Agepha-pharma Viscosan eye drops
HerbalGem Optigem
iGel eye drops
Ocusan single dose eye drops
viscosan eye drops with hypromellose are active tear substitutes for dry, itchy and red eyes.
Do you have dry, tired, irritated eyes and need drops to relieve the symptoms? Try HerbalGem Optigem drops. They are perfectly organic, effective and affordable.
Here you have dry eye drops presented in a gel form formulated from natural ingredients that protects your eyes while moistening them. They are easy to use, effective and without preservatives.
Ocusan Dry Eye Drops come in individual bottles. They are formulated with sodium hyaluronate to protect, moisten and lubricate the eyes.
Consistency
Fluid
Fluid
Gel
Fluid
Ingredients
Hypromellose
Blueberry Water
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid
Preservatives
Yes
No
No
No
Format
Multidose
Multidoses
Multidoses
Unidose
Contact lens compatible
Yes (hard lenses)
YES
YES
YES

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Buying guide - dry eye drops

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How to choose your dry eye drops

There are specific parameters that you should always keep in mind when purchasing eye drops. In addition to following the instructions specified on the packaging, the first things you should keep in mind are:

#1 - The problem you are facing

You should only use products that are appropriate for your condition. To ensure this, you need to have a clear idea of the problems you are facing and exactly what caused them. Using eye drops that don't address your problems can make them worse. For example, if you have dry eyes, use only dry eye drops, not allergy drops, red eye drops, etc.

Dry eye drops, or artificial tears, are designed to mimic the contents of real tears and help replace your dry tears.

#2 - The ingredients

Always try to have a basic knowledge of the ingredients that are used in the manufacture of your drops. Before you buy the product, check what the ingredients are, make sure there are no toxic or allergy-causing agents. Here are some key ingredients to look for when choosing dry eye drops:

  • Lubricants: Lubricants are at the heart of all drops to help moisten and soothe your eyes. Common lubricants include polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
  • Electrolytes: Your tears contain electrolytes, including sodium and potassium, and some lubricating eye drops also contain them. These ingredients can help heal the surface of your eyes and keep them healthy.
  • Redness-reducing ingredients: Common redness-reducing ingredients include tetrahydrozoline and naphazoline. These work by constricting the blood vessels in the eyes, reducing the appearance of redness, but when used frequently, they can make your eyes feel dry.
  • Preservatives: Preservatives are designed to extend the shelf life of eye drops, but some people question the safety of these ingredients. If you are concerned about the effects of preservatives in your eyes, you are better off using preservative-free drops. People with sensitive eyes are also better off avoiding preservatives.

#3 - The manufacturing and expiration date

Like food products and medications, eye drops also have an expiration date. The eyes are a very sensitive part of the body, and one small misstep could affect you for life. So be very careful when buying eye drops. Always check the manufacturing date of the product and its expiration date. Also, use the product immediately after opening the seal and follow the instructions.

#4 - The medical prescription

Dry eye drops are very easily available, and they are usually safe. But even though they claim to have only completely safe ingredients, if this is your first time to use eye drops, it would be wiser to get a doctor's advice. You can never be too careful.

#5 - The price

Affordability of eye drops is another factor considered when purchasing. Try to buy drops that fit your budget and meet all your needs. Keep in mind that a product doesn't have to be expensive to be effective, and sometimes cheap and affordable products can help you just fine.

How to use dry eye drops?

Follow all instructions on the product packaging. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use a solution that has changed color or is cloudy. Some brands (containing glycerin with polysorbates, among other ingredients) may look milky. This is not a problem as long as the solution does not change color. Some eye drops need to be shaken before use. Check the label to see if you need to shake your product before use.

Before applying eye drops, remember to wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, be sure not to touch the dropper or let it touch your eye. Always replace the cap firmly after each use. Tilt your head back, raise your eyes and lower your lower eyelid to form a pocket. Place the dropper directly on the eye and squeeze 1 or 2 drops as needed. Look down and gently close your eye for 1-2 minutes. Place a finger on the corner of your eye near your nose and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from running out and getting lost.

If you are also using another type of eye medicine (for example, ointment or salves), wait at least 5 minutes before applying. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to penetrate the eye.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using your eye drops and choose contact lens compatible products. Check the packaging to see if you can wear your contact lenses while using your product.

Side effects

Vision may be temporarily blurred when dry eye drops are first used. In addition, minor burning/stinging/irritation may occur temporarily. If any of these effects persist or worsen, promptly inform your doctor or pharmacist. A very severe allergic reaction to dry eye drops is more than rare, however, tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: eye pain, vision changes, continued eye redness/irritation.

The different types of dry eye drops

Dry eye drops are generally available on the market in a multi-dose or single-dose system.

Multi-dose drops

Conventional multi-dose systems include plastic dropper bottles that normally hold ten milliliters of drops for multiple administration. This type of bottle is equipped with an appropriate tip that facilitates drip dosing. Normally, the bottle is held vertically over the eye that is to be treated with the eye drop. Depending on the system, the user must either squeeze the container or perform a small pumping action.

The problem with this type of bottle is that once opened, there is a high risk of contamination by germs present in the environment. To avoid this contamination, the drops contained in multi-dose vials usually incorporate preservatives that can cause allergic reactions.

Single-dose drops

The classic single-dose systems include so-called single-use vials. This is a small, clear plastic bottle that contains exactly enough drops for one dose, one use. Single-use vials contain sterile solutions: their caps are broken off just before use. However, because they are discarded after each administration, these systems are not resource efficient and may not be very clean (the bottles are plastic, so more waste). There is no need to add preservatives to single-dose systems, as pathogens cannot enter the vials.

This type of dry eye drops offer a good tolerance, because without preservatives, they are hygienically harmless, provided that it is not reused. They are convenient for travel.

Drops with or without preservatives?

Dry eye drops with preservatives

Preservative eye drops often come in multi-dose bottles and contain chemicals (preservatives) that discourage the growth of bacteria once the bottle is opened. Preservatives can irritate your eyes, especially if you have moderate to severe dry eyes.

Dry eye drops without preservatives

This type of drop has fewer additives and is generally recommended if you need to administer dry eye drops several times a day, or if you have moderate to severe dry eyes. Preservative-free drops can be packaged in single-dose vials.

Verdict

Dry eye drops with or without preservatives will depend on your needs. If you have moderate or severe dry eyes and need to administer drops often, those without preservatives are better suited to help you solve your problem. On the other hand, if you only have occasional needs and you are not prone to allergies, drops with preservatives may suit you very well.

6 good reasons to use dry eye drops

  1. To be able to work with peace of mind: when we work on a computer or use a smartphone or other portable digital device, we tend to blink less fully and less frequently. This leads to more evaporation of tears and an increased risk of dry eye symptoms. Eye drops can reduce the discomfort caused by this dry eye.
  2. To better support your contact lenses: Some contact lenses with a high water content tend to draw fluid out of the eyes, resulting in dry eyes that are compounded by irritation from the contact lenses themselves. Using dry eye drops that are compatible with contact lens wear can help solve this problem.
  3. To avoid being bothered by the indoor environment: air conditioning, ceiling fans and forced-air heating systems can all reduce indoor humidity. This can accelerate tear evaporation, causing dry eye symptoms.
  4. To better withstand outdoor stresses: Similarly, dry climates, high altitudes and dry or windy conditions increase the risk of dry eyes.
  5. To counter the side effects of certain medications: Many prescription and over-the-counter medications increase the risk of dry eye symptoms, including antihistamines, antidepressants, some blood pressure medications such as beta blockers or diuretics, and birth control pills. In this case, take the time to make sure there is no risk of harmful interactions between your medication and eye drops.
  6. To survive your allergies: allergies can cause dry eyes, and as mentioned above, taking antihistamines to relieve allergies can also cause dry eyes. Again, while eye drops rarely have side effects or interactions with other medications, take the time to make sure there are no risks to you.

The best brands of dry eye drops

In our opinion, the best brands of dry eye drops in 2022 are :

Agepha pharma
HerbalGem
Allergan
MaxVue
Alcon

Agepha Pharma is a brand that has been synonymous with high quality health care since its foundation in Austria in 1947. The brand offers innovative products from over 70 years of continuous research and development. The Viscosan or iGel dry eye drops are among them.

HerbalGem is a brand specialized in concentrated gemmotherapy: it offers natural remedies made from fresh and organic bud macerates. This brand offers food supplements, remedies against stress and anxiety, to fight against infections, to promote intestinal transit, or to fight against dry eyes.

Allergan is a brand specialized in eye care, neuroscience, medical dermatology, medical aesthetics, breast enhancement, obesity intervention and urology. Founded in 1970, it is now a property of AbbVie.

MaxVue is a company specializing in the design, manufacture and distribution of contact lenses. It is particularly known for its ColourVUE lenses, but also for its particularly effective eye drops.

Alcon is a Swiss company specialized in eye care that has been around for 70 years. Today, it is present in more than 70 countries. Its reputation is based on cutting-edge innovation and technology.

What is the price dry eye drops

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
£ to £
Mid-range
£ to £
High-end
more than £
Price range diagram

Tips

Choose preservative-free products

Opt for preservative-free eye drops if you use them frequently. Preservatives may start to irritate your eyes after a while.

Consult your ophthalmologist

If over-the-counter lubricating eye drops don't work for you, talk to your eye doctor about other possible treatment options.

Watch out for side effects

Stop using the drops if you experience itching or swelling. You may have an allergic reaction to the eye drops.

Don't touch the pipette directly

Or the dropper if you prefer. Also, don't let it come in contact with your eyeball or any other surface.

Be careful with your diet

Some studies indicate that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may help reduce the risk or incidence of dry eye. Consider eating more products that can provide these fatty acids: fatty fish, canola oil, walnuts, flaxseed oil, ground flaxseed, hempseed oil, hempseed, olive oil, pumpkinseed, and soy.

FAQ

Are dry eye drops safe to use?

Yes, they are safe as long as you follow the instructions on the package and avoid contaminating the tip of the pipette. If you experience any reactions to the eye drops, stop taking them immediately and see your doctor. Also remember to check the ingredients of your eye drops carefully.

Is it safe to use dry eye drops if the expiration date is a little past?

No, the expiration date must be respected and you must throw away expired eye drops. They could harbor bacteria that you could transfer to your eyes if you continue to use the drops.

Can dry eye drops help with allergies?

Dry eye drops can temporarily soothe dry, rough eyes, but if you know that an allergy is the source of your problems, you're better off buying antihistamine eye drops, which are specifically designed for allergies.

How do dry eye drops relieve dry eye?

Dry eye drops work by adding some of the same elements that your tears naturally have. This helps your tear film work more effectively to protect the surface of your eyes.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. The Best Eye Drops, visiondirect.fr
  2. Dry and Tired Eye Products, pharma-gdd.com
  3. The Top 10 Best Selling Eye DropsDry Eyes, lentiamo.fr
  4. Do You Use the Right Eye Drops for Your Dry Eyes?, pharma-gdd.com
  5. Artificial tears: How to select eyedrops for dry eyes, ebmd.com
  6. Eye Drops for Dry Eyes, mayoclinic.org
  7. These 12 Drops Will Help You Defeat Dry Eyes, healthline.com
  8. What types of artificial tears are there, byrdie.com
  9. and how do they work?, medicalnewstoday.com
  10. What is dry eye and how can I get rid of it?, medicalnewstoday.com
  11. Best Dry Eye Drops 2021 [Comparison], selectos.eu
  12. Amazon.co.uk : dry eye drops, amazon.co.uk
  13. Comparative Best Dry Eye Drops 2021 : Reviews ..., frenchtechculture.fr
  14. Dry eyes: causes what to do what drops, sante.journaldesfemmes.fr
  15. Eye drops and eye spray for dry and tired eyes, pharma-gdd.com
  16. Dry eyes: eye drops (drops) for dry eyes without ..., pharmashopi.com
  17. How to relieve dry eyes? - VIDAL, vidal.fr
  18. The best eye drops | Vision Direct, visiondirect.fr
  19. Dry eyes: 4 very simple exercises to remedy it, santenatureinnovation.com
  20. Best choice for dry eye drop | Advice ..., conseilsbeautesante.com
  21. Dry eyes - Similasan, mysimilasan.com
  22. Dry eyes - Pharma GDD, pharma-gdd.com
  23. Dry eye drops: names and method of application, fr-m.iliveok.com
  24. The 10 best-selling eye drops | Blog Lentiamo.fr, lentiamo.fr
  25. All the eye drops | Protect-You.ca, protegez-vous.ca
  26. Dry eye drops 10 ml - HydraSense : Strip ..., jeancoutu.com
  27. Amazon.co.uk : eye drop, amazon.co.uk
  28. HydraSense dry eye drops | Walmart Canada, walmart.ca
  29. Dry eyes or dry eye syndrome | Brunet, brunet.ca
  30. Dry eyes - symptoms causes treatments and prevention ..., vidal.fr
  31. Dry eyes ? Euphrasia Eye Drops | A.Vogel ..., avogel.be
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Agepha-pharma Viscosan eye drops 9
Agepha-pharma Viscosan eye drops
HerbalGem Optigem 10
HerbalGem Optigem
iGel eye drops 11
iGel eye drops
Ocusan single dose eye drops 12
Ocusan single dose eye drops

Lecteurs

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