If your eyes often feel dry or irritated, you may be wondering if Systane eye drops can help.
These lubricating eye drops are designed to add moisture to dry eyes. They can also help relieve symptoms like burning and discomfort.
But are these eye drops right for you? In this article, we’ll cover what causes dry eyes and the different types of Systane eye drops to try.
At a Glance
- Systane offers multiple eye drop formulas for different situations.
- If you are sensitive to preservatives in eye drops, look for Systane’s preservative-free (PF) formulas.
- Systane Balance Restorative Formula is designed for evaporative dry eye, including dry eye related to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
- If your symptoms might stem from allergies, Systane Zaditor antihistamine drops treat allergy-related itching.
- If drops don’t help, or you have a diagnosed eye condition, see an eye doctor.
Key Facts: Systane Eye Drops
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Products featured | Systane Eye Drops |
| Brand included | Systane |
| Product type | Lubricating and antihistamine eye drops, plus rewetting drops for contact lenses |
| Best for | Dry, irritated, or allergy-related eye symptoms, depending on the formula |
| Available in | Single-use vials and multidose bottles, depending on the formula |
| Manufacturer | Alcon |
What Causes Dry Eyes?
Dry eyes can happen for several reasons. Some of the most common causes include:
- Not producing enough tears, or aqueous deficiency. Your eyes need enough tears to stay comfortable and properly lubricated. Tear production can decrease with age. Certain medications and medical conditions, including autoimmune diseases, can also reduce tear production.
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is another common cause of dry eyes. Your eyelids contain tiny oil glands that help keep your tears from evaporating too quickly. When these glands become blocked or don’t work properly, your tears can evaporate faster than they should.
- Mixed dry eye. Sometimes, dry eye has more than one cause. You may have both reduced tear production and tears that evaporate too quickly.
Lubricating eye drops, such as Systane, are often one of the first things people try when they have dry eye symptoms. But finding the right eye drop can take a little trial and error. Some people find relief with the first product they try. Others may need to test a few different types before finding one that works for them.
What Types of Systane Eye Drops Are Available?
There are several varieties of Systane eye drops with different uses:
Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Preservative-Free 30ct Vials
These eye drops provide moisture and reduce irritation for people with mild dry eye symptoms. Because they’re made without preservatives, they’re often recommended for those who have a lot of allergies or eye sensitivities. If you’ve reacted poorly to other eye drops, they’re worth considering.
On the other hand, the lack of preservatives means that these eye drops could deteriorate faster than other drops. Systane makes them in small, single-use vials to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria that preservatives might combat.
If you’re uncomfortable with a lot of plastic waste and you’re not super sensitive to preservatives, you might prefer a different option.
Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops Preservative-Free 25ct Vials
These drops are another preservative-free option designed to temporarily relieve dry eye symptoms. The Ultra formula is intended to provide longer-lasting relief than some standard lubricating eye drops.
Because formulations can vary, check the product label for the ingredients and directions before using Systane Ultra.
Systane Hydration Preservative-Free Lubricant Eye Drops 30ct Vials
The Systane Hydration formula contains a stronger moisturizing formula with sodium hyaluronate for more sensitive or very dry eyes. Some contact lens wearers swear by these, since contact lenses can make dry eyes worse.
On EZContacts, the Hydration formula has positive reviews from verified buyers. A reviewer who goes by Sandiegomom says these eye drops helped relieve discomfort associated with pterygium (a benign eye growth that can cause dry, itchy eyes). She wrote:
Work great for people with Pterygium
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Purchased these for my son who has Pterygium in both eyes and these drops help his eyes feel better. These individually packaged drops are super convenient.”
Note: If you have an eye condition, it’s always a good idea to consult your eye doctor before trying new products.
Systane Complete Lubricant Eye Drops 2x 10mL
The Systane Complete eye drops use fast-acting nano-droplets to relieve dry eye symptoms. They work on all types of dry eye, but people with MGD or lipid deficiency often find this formula most effective.
Because the formulation is not preservative-free, it comes in a larger bottle and offers less plastic waste.
Systane Balance Restorative Formula Lubricant Eye Drops 10mL
This is Systane’s clinical strength formula. So if you’ve had bad luck with other eye drops or are still struggling with dry eye symptoms, it may be worth a try. It’s designed to help with both lipid deficiency and aqueous evaporation, so it’s often helpful for people with mixed dry eye.
Systane Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops 2 x 5ml Twin Pack
Zaditor is an antihistamine eye drop that works well if your eye irritation is caused by an allergy. Eye allergies are pretty common. They can be brought on by irritants like pet dander, outdoor pollen, dust, etc.
With one drop per eye, you should get about 12 hours of allergy relief. If you have more severe allergies, you may be able to combine antihistamine eye drops with an oral antihistamine like Claritin. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure this combination is right for you.
Systane Contacts Rewetting Eye Drops
Most eye drops require you to remove your contact lenses before use. But rewetting drops like the Systane Contacts Rewetting Eye Drops are designed to be used while wearing contacts.
Some contact lens users choose them specifically for this reason. The drops can also lubricate your lenses and help remove debris, making your eyes feel more comfortable.
FAQs
What if none of the eye drops I’ve tried help my dry eyes?
If you’ve tried multiple kinds of drops and none of them have given you relief, see an eye doctor. They can diagnose the problem, and in some cases, prescribe stronger eye drops or other medications to address the root cause of your symptoms.
How often can you use Systane eye drops?
For many Systane lubricant eye drops, the recommended dose is one or two drops in the affected eye(s) as needed. However, directions can vary between products. Be sure to always follow the instructions on the specific Systane eye drops you’re using.
