From the Research
The brand name for polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) povidone (Polyvidone) eye drops is Refresh, as indicated in the study published in the Journal francais d'ophtalmologie 1. This study compared the safety and efficacy of a new cationic emulsion with a formulation of polyvinyl alcohol and povidone (PVA-P) for the treatment of mild to moderate dry eye disease. The results showed that the PVA-P formulation, also known as Refresh, was effective in improving tear break-up time and reducing ocular symptoms.
Some common brand names for polyvinyl alcohol povidone eye drops include:
- Refresh Tears
- Systane
- Blink Tears
- TheraTears These over-the-counter artificial tear formulations combine polyvinyl alcohol and povidone (polyvinylpyrrolidone) to provide effective dry eye relief. Typically, these drops can be used as needed throughout the day, with most people applying 1-2 drops in each affected eye up to 4-6 times daily.
The polyvinyl alcohol acts as a lubricant while povidone increases the viscosity and retention time on the eye surface, helping to moisturize the eye surface and reduce irritation. If you experience persistent dry eye symptoms despite regular use, you should consult an eye care professional as you may need prescription-strength drops or have an underlying condition requiring different treatment, as suggested by the study published in the Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics 2.
It's worth noting that other studies have investigated the use of povidone-iodine in eye drops, such as the study published in Ophthalmic research 3, but the brand name for polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) povidone (Polyvidone) eye drops is specifically mentioned in the study published in the Journal francais d'ophtalmologie 1.