7 Different Types of Eye Drops You Should Know

1. Artificial Tears

Artificial tears, also known as lubricating eye drops, are a type of eye drop that aim to bring moisture to the eyes. Artificial tears are commonly used when the eyes are dry, and not producing enough tears to lubricate the surface of the eye. The surface of the eye is covered with a tear film, which produces tears and keeps the eyes lubricated. The tear film is made up of an oily outer layer, a watery middle layer and a mucous-like inner layer, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. If there is a problem with one or all of the layers in the tear film, the lack of lubrication as a result can lead to dry eyes. According to the Victorian Government’s Better Health Channel, dry eyes can be caused by a variety of issues including health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, as well as menopause, general ageing and climate conditions such as wind. Artificial tears, or lubricating eye drops, help to alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes by bringing moisture to the surface of the eye.

Artificial tears are available over-the-counter. Artificial tears do not usually need a prescription, however, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using any type of medication. The pro of artificial tears is that they help bring lubrication to the eye and can be generally purchased at your local pharmacy. The con of artificial tears is that they are generally only a temporary solution to alleviate symptoms of conditions such as dry eyes, they are not a longtime solution or cure.

2. Antihistamine Eye Drops

Antihistamine eye drops are a type of medicated eye drops that help to alleviate symptoms of allergies. Allergies generally refer to the body’s immunological reaction to allergens or irritants such as pollen, grass and animal dander. Eye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, refer to a type of allergy that specifically affects the eyes. When the eyes, specifically the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the whites of the eyes and inner eyelids, are exposed to an allergen such as pollen, the body will release a chemical called histamine, which works to get rid of the allergen from the system. As histamine expels an allergen from the body, it can cause sneezing, itching and eye irritation such as red eyes, watery eyes and swollen eyes. Antihistamine medication helps to relieve and treat some of the symptoms caused by histamine. Antihistamine eye drops can be applied to the eyes via an eye dropper to try and prevent some of the symptoms of eye allergies.

Antihistamine eye drops are generally available over-the-counter and do not usually require a prescription. However, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before using any type of medication. The pro of antihistamine eye drops is that they can help to relieve symptoms of eye allergies such as red eyes, watery eyes, itchy eyes and swollen eyes. The con of antihistamine eye drops is that they will not cure eye allergies.

3. Antibiotic Eye Drops

Antibiotic eye drops are a type of medicated eye drops that are used to treat bacterial infections in the eye. Antibiotics are a medication that treats infections or illnesses that have been caused by bacteria. Bacteria are single-celled microbes that can reproduce quickly in the human body, release toxins that can damage tissues and cause illness, according to the American Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Antibiotics work by weakening the bacteria that is causing the infection so your body can better fight it, according to Health Direct, Australia’s virtual public health information service. If bacteria comes into contact with the eye, it can cause bacterial infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis or pink eye. Antibiotic eye drops are applied to the eye to help fight the bacteria that are causing infection.

Antibiotic eye drops are not available over-the-counter. Antibiotics are prescribed medication, meaning a person will need a doctor or healthcare professional to provide a prescription to receive this medication. The pros of antibiotic eye drops are that they can help to kill the bacteria causing the infection and promote healing. The con of antibiotic eye drops is that antibiotics are a medication that may not work for everyone, some people can be allergic to antibiotics and some bacteria can be resistant to antibiotics, meaning they will not help. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using any antibiotics.

4. Glaucoma Eye Drops

Glaucoma eye drops are a type of medicated eye drops that help to treat the eye condition glaucoma by helping to reduce intraocular eye pressure, according to Glaucoma Australia. Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve is damaged, leading to vision loss, according to the National Eye Institute. The optic nerve eye is a nerve that transmits images that the eye sees, to the brain. The exact cause of glaucoma is unknown, however, it is theorised to be related to issues with fluid in the eye and eye pressure. Glaucoma eye drops are a type of non-surgical treatment that can help to treat glaucoma by reducing pressure in the eye, which is a risk factor for contracting the condition. According to Glaucoma Australia, glaucoma eye drops help to treat glaucoma by either helping fluid drain from the eye or reducing the amount of fluid released into the eye, in turn, attempting to reduce eye pressure.

Glaucoma eye drops are not available over-the-counter, they will need to be prescribed by a healthcare professional. The pro of glaucoma eye drops is that they can help reduce pressure in the eye which may help to manage glaucoma progression. A con of glaucoma eye drops is that they do not improve a person’s vision, they instead work to prevent vision from getting worse, according to the National Eye Institute. This means that some people often stop taking their eye drops as they believe they are not working, which can hinder the effectiveness of the eye drops.

5. Steroid Eye Drops

Steroid eye drops or corticosteroid eye drops, are a type of eye drops that help to treat inflammation in the eye. According to the NHS, steroids are a replica of a hormone that is usually produced by the adrenal glands and can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Steroid eye drops are a type of steroid that is applied to the surface of the eye via an eye dropper. Steroid eye drops are used to treat eye conditions that cause inflammation, such as conjunctivitis or pink eye, and eye herpes or HSV keratitis. Inflammation in the eye may present as symptoms such as red eyes, swollen eyes, or itchy eyes.

HSV Keratitis is a serious condition. You should seek medical attention immediately if you believe you have this condition.

Steroid eye drops are not available over-the-counter. Steroid eye drops will require a prescription to purchase. The pros of steroid eye drops are that they can help to reduce inflammation in the eye and promote healing. The cons of steroid eye drops are that they may cause some mild discomfort or blurry vision when first put in the eye. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional if these symptoms persist.

6. Antiviral Eye Drops

Antiviral eye drops are a type of medicated eye drops that help treat eye infections caused by viruses, such as viral conjunctivitis. A virus refers to a type of infectious agent or microbe that multiplies or replicates inside living organisms and can cause illness. The common cold, COVID-19 and the flu are types of illnesses that are caused by a virus. Viral conjunctivitis is an eye condition that is caused by a virus. Antiviral medication aims to help combat virus-driven illnesses by stopping the virus from multiplying in the body. Antiviral eye drops are a type of antiviral medication applied to the surface of the eye via an eye dropper, to try and stop the virus in the eye multiplying and causing infection.

Antiviral eye drops are not generally available over-the-counter. A healthcare professional will decide if you need antiviral eye drops and prescribe them accordingly. The pro of antiviral eye drops is that they may help to fight the virus causing a viral eye infection. The cons of antiviral eye drops can include antiviral resistance, in which the virus develops a resistance to the medication if it is not taken as prescribed, hindering its effectiveness in stopping the virus, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

7. Anti-Redness Eye Drops

Anti-redness eye drops or redness relieving eye drops, are a type of eye drops that are used to help reduce the appearance of red eyes, usually a red conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the surface of the eye and the inner eyelids. Red eyes may be caused by a range of things including conjunctivitis, allergies and fatigue. Anti-redness eye drops aim to reduce the redness in the eye. Anti-redness eye drops are made with a type of decongestant medication called tetrahydrozoline according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Tetrahydrozoline aims to reduce the swelling of the blood vessels in the eye which is what causes the eye to become red in appearance.

Anti-redness eye drops will not be suitable for all people to use. Those with glaucoma for example, could worsen their condition if they use anti-redness eye drops, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Anti-redness eye drops may be available over-the- counter, non-prescription, but it is important to consult with your healthcare professional before using any medication. The pros of anti-redness eye drops are that they may help to reduce a red appearance in the eyes. The cons of anti-redness eye drops are that by attempting to get rid of the redness and whiten the eye, a person could mask the symptoms of a serious eye condition, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.