What is Eye Drops: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Jan 25, 2021

Eye Drops overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Eye Drops, Clear Eyes Redness Relief, Clear Eyes Natural Tears, Clear Eyes, Blink Gel Tears, Bion Tears, Artificial Tears Solution, Artificial Tears, Artificial Tear, Akwa Tears, Advanced Eye Relief Dry Eye Rejuvenation, GenTeal PM, Eye Drop Tears, FreshKote, GenTeal, Refresh Plus, Theratears, Retaine CMC, Sunmark Lubricating Plus, Refresh Tears, Eye Drops, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Eye Drops, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Lubricating Plus, Good Sense Lubricating Plus, Lubricant Eye Drops, Lubricating Plus, Refresh Celluvisc, Refresh Liquigel, Altazine, CareALL Eye Drops, Eye Drop Original, Eye Drops, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Eye Drops, Leader Eye Drops, Optigene 3, Visine Red Eye Comfort

Generic Names:

  • Eye Drops

Uses:

  • Treats dry, irritated, or uncomfortable eyes., Treats redness of your eyes caused by certain allergies., Treats and prevents irritation caused by dry eyes.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Decongestant, Lubricant, Ocular, Ophthalmologic Agent, Surgical Aid, Ocular, Lubricant, Ocular, Ophthalmologic Agent, Decongestant

Forms:

  • Liquid, Ointment, Gel/Jelly, Drop, Liquid, Drop, Liquid, Gel/Jelly, Drop

How it’s taken:

  • Into the eye, Into the eye, Into the eye

What is Eye Drops used for?

What form(s) does Eye Drops come in

  • Liquid

  • Ointment

  • Gel/Jelly

  • Drop

  • Liquid

  • Drop

  • Liquid

  • Gel/Jelly

  • Drop

What are common Eye Drops doses?

  • Bottle 15ML of 0.05%

Common Eye Drops prescriptions

  • Eye Drops
    15ml of 0.05% bottle

How to take Eye Drops

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.

  • Wash your hands before and after using the medicine.

  • If the medicine has changed color or looks cloudy, do not use it.

  • Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball.

  • Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute.

  • Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • If you are using the single-use container, open a new container for each dose of this medicine. Open the container by completely twisting off the tab. Do not pull the tab off. After using the medicine, dispose of the container and any medicine left in it. Do not keep any leftover medicine to use later.

  • Wash your hands before and after using the medicine.

  • If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.

  • Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball.

  • If you are using the single-use container, open a new container for each dose of this medicine. Open the container by completely twisting off the tab. Do not pull the tab off. After using the medicine, dispose of the container and any medicine left in it. Do not keep any leftover medicine to use later.

  • Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

  • If the medicine has changed color or looks cloudy, do not use it.

  • Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Ophthalmic routeShake the eye drops well just before each use.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Do not use the eye drops if the solution has turned cloudy or changed color.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Do not use the eye drops if the solution has turned cloudy or changed color.

  • Ophthalmic routeShake the eye drops well just before each use.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine. Remove contact lenses before using this medicine. When using eye drops, shake the bottle well just before each use.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket. If using a single-dose unit, throw it away after use. Do not save any of the liquid to use later.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine. Remove contact lenses before using this medicine. When using eye drops, shake the bottle well just before each use.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket. If using a single-dose unit, throw it away after use. Do not save any of the liquid to use later.

What to do if you miss a dose of Eye Drops

  • Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Ophthalmic routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

  • This medicine is to be taken as needed. Follow the directions on the package.

  • Ophthalmic routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.

  • Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Eye Drops contraindications

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to carboxymethylcellulose.

  • You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to tetrahydrozoline.

  • Do not use if you have had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients listed on the label of the product you are using.

Eye Drops warnings

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • If your symptoms do not get better within 3 days or if they get worse, call your doctor.

  • If you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.

  • You may have blurred vision for a short time after using a dose of Celluvisc®. This is normal. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you cannot see well.

  • This medicine may make your pupils large temporarily.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have glaucoma.

  • You should not wear contact lenses while using this medicine.

  • You should not use this medicine for your child under 6 years of age without a doctor's approval.

  • See a doctor right away if you have an open wound in or near your eye, if your eye was burned with a chemical, or if you have a foreign object in your eye that you cannot rinse out.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have had an allergic reaction to any eye medicine or product in the past.

  • Do not use the medicine if it becomes discolored. Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has become cloudy.

Eye Drops interactions

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you have had an allergic reaction to any eye medicine or product in the past.

  • Do not use the medicine if it becomes discolored. Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has become cloudy.

  • See a doctor right away if you have an open wound in or near your eye, if your eye was burned with a chemical, or if you have a foreign object in your eye that you cannot rinse out.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have glaucoma.

  • You should not wear contact lenses while using this medicine.

  • You should not use this medicine for your child under 6 years of age without a doctor's approval.

  • This medicine may make your pupils large temporarily.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • If your symptoms do not get better within 3 days or if they get worse, call your doctor.

  • You may have blurred vision for a short time after using a dose of Celluvisc®. This is normal. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you cannot see well.

  • If you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.

Eye Drops side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Changes in vision.

  • Eye pain, redness, or irritation that is not relieved by using this product.

  • Changes in your vision.

  • Pain, redness, or irritation in your eyes.

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Pain in your eye

  • Changes in your vision

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Eye dryness that lasts longer than 72 hours.

  • New or worsening eye symptoms.