From the Guidelines
Liquid tears, also known as artificial tears or lubricating eye drops, do not typically cause dependency when used as directed. These over-the-counter products like Systane, Refresh, or TheraTears are safe for regular use to relieve dry eye symptoms, as supported by a systematic literature review that found artificial tears to be safe and effective for treating dry eye 1. However, some formulations containing vasoconstrictors (like Visine Get the Red Out) should be limited to short-term use as they can cause rebound redness with prolonged use.
Key Considerations
- Preservative-free artificial tears are recommended for frequent use (more than 4-6 times daily) to avoid irritation from preservatives, as suggested by the Taiwan Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons 1.
- The mechanism of artificial tears is simply to supplement your natural tear film and lubricate the eye surface, not to alter your body's natural tear production.
- If you find yourself needing artificial tears very frequently, it's advisable to consult an eye care professional as this may indicate an underlying condition requiring different treatment, such as addressing contributing ocular factors like blepharitis or meibomitis 1.
Additional Recommendations
- Patients should be educated on the importance of complete blinking and blinking frequency, especially when using visual display terminals 1.
- Environmental considerations, such as avoiding wind and dry environments, and dietary modifications, like a Mediterranean-diet-oriented approach, may also be beneficial in managing dry eye disease 1.
From the Research
Dependency on Liquid Tears
- There is no direct evidence to suggest that liquid tears cause dependency 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies focus on the efficacy and safety of various artificial tear formulations in treating dry eye disease, but do not address the issue of dependency.
- However, it is worth noting that prolonged use of artificial tears may lead to a decrease in the eye's natural ability to produce tears, potentially resulting in a reliance on these products 3.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of long-term artificial tear use and its impact on the eye's natural tear production.
Artificial Tear Formulations
- Various studies have compared the efficacy and safety of different artificial tear formulations, including those containing carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronic acid, and flaxseed oil 2, 4, 5.
- These formulations have been shown to improve symptoms and signs of dry eye disease, but the potential for dependency is not explicitly addressed.
- The choice of artificial tear formulation may depend on individual patient needs and the underlying causes of their dry eye disease 6.
Safety and Efficacy
- The safety and efficacy of artificial tear formulations have been evaluated in several studies, with most showing significant improvements in symptoms and signs of dry eye disease 2, 4, 5.
- However, some studies have raised concerns about the potential risks associated with certain artificial tear products, including the risk of infection and contamination 3.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the safety and efficacy of artificial tear formulations and to identify the most effective and safe treatments for dry eye disease.