Searching for The Next Drop to Try?
These days, most eye drop brands come in many varieties. Sometimes the variations under the same name are similar - but sometimes they're actually quite different. So If you've ever said to yourself "I like brand X" or "I tried brand Y and it didn't work for me", don't forget that you may only have tried one of many products that happen to be linked under the same brand family. This email series is to help demystify some apparently minor differences between drops and highlight things you may have glossed over in searching for The Next Drop to Try.
Note: This table does not cover most inactive ingredients. You can find all those in our ingredient guide (linked below).
|
Product |
Active Ingredient(s)
|
Inactive ingredient(s) of interest |
Notes
|
|
CMC ONLY |
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Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%
|
-
|
Least likely to blur vision? Same base as Celluvisc but half the concentration.
|
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|
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 1%
|
-
|
Thick!
Also popular with scleral lens users as a supplement "in the bowl". |
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CMC & GLYCERIN |
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|
Sodium hyaluronate
|
Only one with hyaluronate
Available in multi-dose preserative-free bottle |
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|
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%
Glycerin 0.9%
|
-
|
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CMC, GLYCERIN, POLYSORBATE 80 |
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|
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%
Glycerin 1% Polysorbate 80 0.5% |
Castor oil
|
Same as Digital
|
||
|
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%
Glycerin 1% Polysorbate 80 0.5% |
Castor oil
Flaxseed oil |
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|
Refresh Digital
|
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5% |
Castor oil
|
Same as Optive Advanced
|
|
OTHER |
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|
Mineral Oil 42.5%
White Petrolatum 57.3% |
Lanolin alcohol
|
Very popular ointment. Less petrolatum than most others.
|
Read more about eye drop ingredients on our reference list:
Ingredient Guide for Drops, Gels, Ointments & Sprays
Also check out any OTC eye drop sold in the US at:
Difference between refresh mega3 and refresh relieve.the relieva blurs vision even after 12 hours
What is the better eye drops cellufresh 3% or optifresh 5%
Is genteal eyedrops better than the gel?
Can they be used at the same time as the above eye drops