Hi There - Just wondering for how long I should be using my refresh drops and how often? I am 10 days post surgery and am useing them a few times a day, sometimes as often as once or twice per hour. I find that when I use the drops too often I get an uncomfortable feeling in both eyes and it goes away if I refrain from using more drops. Is this normal? Also, I am using Allergan Refresh Drops. Is there another type I can use? These ones are covered under my drug plan but I only have 2 repeats left. Thanks!

All artificial tears will deteriorate with time. To slow this deterioration, mild toxins are added as a preservative to kill the things that would accelerate deterioration.

Allergan Refresh Tears uses a preservative called Purite that that in theory dissipates into the water and sodium chloride-components of natural tears when exposed to ambient light. This is NOT the same as a preservative-free artificial tear.

It would appear that your eyes are sensitive to this preservative and overuse causes irritation. My guess is that the preservative does not neutralize fast enough before you put in additional drops and you are getting a preservative (toxin) buildup.

You should use only preservative-free artificial tears. These will come in small single-use vials and will be more expensive than any artificial tear with a preservative.

During surgery the nerves that tell your tearing system when to generate more tears can be disrupted. This is usually a temporary situation that resolves with healing during the normal six-month healing period. These are also the nerves that tell you that your eyes hurt because of lack of tears. You cannot rely on your body telling you that your eyes are too dry. You need to create an artificial tear regime and stick to it until your doctor recommends otherwise. What that regime needs to be depends upon the individual, but starting with 4 times a day seems reasonable and monitor your eyes. If they become irritated, then increase the frequency. Use the tears anytime you believe your eyes are dry. It is difficult to over-use preservative-free artificial tears.

Glenn Hagele
http://USAEyes.org
Patient Advocacy & Surgeon Certification

I am not a doctor.

Thanks, this is very helpful information. I will look into buying drops that are truly preservative free. I have been using the drops about once per hour so it's good to know I am using enough. At night I have been using refresh gel and it helps alot. During the day I can't use the gel as it makes my eyes very blurry.