Different Types of Eye Drops & How to Choose the Right Ones for You

Eye drops may be an essential part of eye care when required and can be used to treat various symptoms from a range of different conditions, including dry eye. But with numerous types of formulations available, described as anything from thick gels to lubricating and hydrating drops, choosing the right one for you can be difficult and overwhelming without the right knowledge.

Our guide is here to break down the different types of formulations available over the counter, why they differ and which may be best suited to you.

How do eye drops differ?

Eye drops can be formulated as drops, sprays, gels and ointments depending on your symptoms, the relief they provide and your lifestyle. Some may contain certain ingredients that work best in a particular formulation, or may be free from oils, preservatives and perfumes to avoid unwanted reactions. 

Symptoms they aim to provide relief for:

• Sore, irritated and gritty eyes: Those experiencing these symptoms may require lubricating and hydrating drops to help restore the tear film layer and keep the eyes comfortable. 
• Itchy eyes: Lubricating, hydrating and soothing sprays like Zaspray® may be best suited to relieving itchiness.
• Burning or watery eyes: Sprays targeting tear evaporation management, such as Zaspray® with lubricating and hydrating properties, may be most suitable for managing these symptoms.

 

Suitability with your lifestyle:

• Contact lens wearers: Drops may need to be applied before putting in contact lenses or at night once they’ve been removed. While you are wearing your lenses, if they start feeling uncomfortable, you can apply contact lens-friendly drops or sprays as required.
• Travel & on-the-go lifestyles: An easy-to-use bottle or applicator may be more suitable for those who might be applying drops away from home more often. Those travelling with drops in hand luggage on flights may also need to ensure the liquid volume is below 100ml.
• Suitability for children: Drops must be easy to use when applying to children’s eyes.
• Suitability for those who struggle with eye drops: For those individuals who have manual dexterity issues, the choice of applicator can be a deciding factor. For instance, our Hyabak® and Thealoz ® Duo drops have a unique bottle design with ABAK technology, which makes them easy to squeeze and provides a measured drop. This is often easier than a pump action for those with dexterity issues. 

Some further considerations

• Suitability for those who will use them regularly: Make sure your eye drops are phosphate and preservative-free.
• Nighttime use: Drops with a thicker consistency or gel-based drops may be more suitable for use throughout the night as they can provide longer-lasting relief than those intended for daytime applications.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use drops which state they are suitable for them to use.
• Other health conditions: Those with other health conditions should use drops suitable for use alongside other medications. For example, Zaspray® can be used alongside antihistamines for allergy-related eye symptom relief.

 

How to choose the right eye drops for you