Can eye drops be stored in the refrigerator?

Storage of Eye Drops in Refrigerator

Yes, most eye drops can be safely stored in the refrigerator, which can help preserve their stability and reduce the risk of contamination, especially for preservative-free formulations.

Guidelines for Eye Drop Storage

General Storage Recommendations

• Refrigeration (4°C) is appropriate for many eye drops, particularly:

  • Preservative-free formulations
  • Antibiotic eye drops
  • Autologous serum eye drops
  • Fortified antibiotics

• Storage at 4°C can maintain stability and sterility for:

  • Non-preserved eye drops: up to 4 weeks 1
  • Autologous serum drops: up to 12 weeks 1
  • Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF): up to 3-6 months when frozen at -20°C, then 72 hours at 4°C after thawing 2, 3

Benefits of Refrigeration

• Reduces microbial growth potential
• Maintains chemical stability of active ingredients
• Extends shelf life of many preparations
• Particularly important for preservative-free formulations

Specific Storage Instructions

For Preserved Eye Drops

• Most commercially available preserved eye drops can be stored at room temperature
• Check manufacturer's instructions on the packaging
• Some preserved formulations remain stable at room temperature due to their preservative systems 4

For Non-Preserved Eye Drops

• Refrigeration is strongly recommended
• Studies show non-preserved eye drops stored at 4°C remain sterile for up to 4 weeks 1
• After opening, preservative-free drops should be used within the timeframe specified on packaging

For Fortified Antibiotics

• Refrigeration is essential for fortified antibiotics (e.g., vancomycin, cefazolin, gentamicin)
• Store at 4°C to maintain potency 5, 1
• Bacterial Keratitis Preferred Practice Pattern recommends refrigeration and shaking well before instillation 5

Important Considerations

Temperature Transition

• Allow refrigerated drops to warm to room temperature before instillation for patient comfort
• Cold drops may cause temporary discomfort when applied directly to the eye

Contamination Prevention

• Always wash hands before handling eye drops
• Avoid touching the tip of the bottle to any surface including the eye
• Multiple-dose eyedrop containers should be discarded after inadvertent contact with the ocular surface 5

Special Cases

• Methacholine solutions should be warmed to room temperature before testing begins 5
• Ocular lubricants (e.g., nonpreserved hyaluronate or carmellose eye drops) used for conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome can be refrigerated 5

Conclusion

Refrigeration is generally beneficial for eye drop storage, particularly for preservative-free formulations and compounded medications. Always follow specific storage instructions on the product packaging or from your pharmacist, as some formulations may have unique requirements.