Preservative free eye drops are available over the counter. I have been using Allergan's Refresh Celluvisc preservative free eye drops for years (box of 30 vials). There are other brands like Systane. Yes, pre arrival of preservative free you were stuck with benzalconium chloride which is a killer for moderate to severe dry eyes.
Sure there are lots of preservative free lubricant drops. But try asking your doctor for preservative free glaucoma drops or antibiotic drops or even steroid drops. Try finding preservative free antihistamine drops. All of these are supposed to make your eyes feel better. And they do in the short term (maybe), but inflict damage in the long term.
Walmart has the eye masks that you can heat in the microwave. They have some kind of beads in them. Your eyes feel moistened after about 6 minutes. I bought several for $8 each a couple of years ago. They can be washed in mild water. They are in the eye drop section. They are helpful.
FWIW, Hammacher Schlemmer sells a dry eye mask that has four temperature settings and 3 or 4 time setting. So you can customize your mask therapy session. I had a beaded mask, a rice mask, and have used hot wash clothes, but this worked best for me, with the rice baggy second. The HS mask, however, was expensive, about $50.
Sure there are lots of preservative free lubricant drops. But try asking your doctor for preservative free glaucoma drops or antibiotic drops or even steroid drops. Try finding preservative free antihistamine drops. All of these are supposed to make your eyes feel better. And they do in the short term (maybe), but inflict damage in the long term.
Pubmed is filled with references to the toxicity of benzalkonium chloride to the eye. It's been well studied and well documented. This is a (probably partial) list of damage done by BAK to the eye, which I copied and pasted from a medical article:
Decreased corneal, conjunctival, trabecular meshwork, and ciliary epithelial cell survival;
Corneal epithelial cell injury;
Conjunctival goblet cell loss;
Delayed corneal wound healing;
Lymphocyte infiltration of conjunctival; epithelium and stroma;
Elevates inflammatory marker concentrations in ocular tissues;
DNA fragmentation and oxidative damage in TM cells leading to altered gene expression ;
Induction of corneal epithelial cell apoptosis .
I've attached a pdf of this specific article, however there are many supporting article. BAK is a dangerous preservative.
Hello, I use an eye mask with moisture spray at night, Restasis, autologous eye drops, and preservative free drops during the day. Love the eye moisture mask BTW.
I just contacted the manufacturer for the Refresh line of products by Allergan. Their product line doesn't contain the BAK preservative. Their Purite preservative breaks down to carbon dioxide and water when it contacts the eye.
What are the plugs that your talking about. What size are they? And the actually go into your eyes. Is this for Dry Eyes. My eye specialist told me that I need a Tear Duck Bypass. Have you or anyone else heard of this? The surgery is called DCR for short. Thanks for any replies in advance.
@tboyd5000 , they are punctal plugs, fitted to and placed in your tear ducts so the tears you make stay in your eye instead of draining out.
I was very happy with them, but they fell out after a few months, I had them replaced, but when out again, over the years, it seemed my tear ducts (puncta) were too small so I am back to drops and Restasis.
I hope it works out for you!
Yes, I have been dealing with dry eyes for 40 years! I use Allergan's Refresh Celluvisc preservative free eye drops (artificial tears) many times during the day and night time ointment at night. Years ago, I tried Restasis which I discontinued because of severe stinging and burning. Just had an appointment with my over 80 now retiring ophthalmologist who recommended trying Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) which recently became available in Canada. Was just about to start a discussion group to get feedback on Xiidra.
I am on Restasis for my dry eyes. My eye physician gave me samples of Xiidra to try. I did like it but my insurance wouldn’t pay for it so I stuck with the Restasis.
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Sure there are lots of preservative free lubricant drops. But try asking your doctor for preservative free glaucoma drops or antibiotic drops or even steroid drops. Try finding preservative free antihistamine drops. All of these are supposed to make your eyes feel better. And they do in the short term (maybe), but inflict damage in the long term.
FWIW, Hammacher Schlemmer sells a dry eye mask that has four temperature settings and 3 or 4 time setting. So you can customize your mask therapy session. I had a beaded mask, a rice mask, and have used hot wash clothes, but this worked best for me, with the rice baggy second. The HS mask, however, was expensive, about $50.
What eye damage? Please be specific and give proof.
Thanks.
Pubmed is filled with references to the toxicity of benzalkonium chloride to the eye. It's been well studied and well documented. This is a (probably partial) list of damage done by BAK to the eye, which I copied and pasted from a medical article:
Decreased corneal, conjunctival, trabecular meshwork, and ciliary epithelial cell survival;
Corneal epithelial cell injury;
Conjunctival goblet cell loss;
Delayed corneal wound healing;
Lymphocyte infiltration of conjunctival; epithelium and stroma;
Elevates inflammatory marker concentrations in ocular tissues;
DNA fragmentation and oxidative damage in TM cells leading to altered gene expression ;
Induction of corneal epithelial cell apoptosis .
I've attached a pdf of this specific article, however there are many supporting article. BAK is a dangerous preservative.
BAK problems (BAK-problems.pdf)
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1 ReactionHello, I use an eye mask with moisture spray at night, Restasis, autologous eye drops, and preservative free drops during the day. Love the eye moisture mask BTW.
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Hug
3 ReactionsI just contacted the manufacturer for the Refresh line of products by Allergan. Their product line doesn't contain the BAK preservative. Their Purite preservative breaks down to carbon dioxide and water when it contacts the eye.
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2 ReactionsWalmart I just saw it
What are the plugs that your talking about. What size are they? And the actually go into your eyes. Is this for Dry Eyes. My eye specialist told me that I need a Tear Duck Bypass. Have you or anyone else heard of this? The surgery is called DCR for short. Thanks for any replies in advance.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@tboyd5000 , they are punctal plugs, fitted to and placed in your tear ducts so the tears you make stay in your eye instead of draining out.
I was very happy with them, but they fell out after a few months, I had them replaced, but when out again, over the years, it seemed my tear ducts (puncta) were too small so I am back to drops and Restasis.
I hope it works out for you!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI am on Restasis for my dry eyes. My eye physician gave me samples of Xiidra to try. I did like it but my insurance wouldn’t pay for it so I stuck with the Restasis.