February 6, 2023
This is why I have such a deep appreciation for the work that went into Eyeganics - a certified organic eye drop that contains no artificial chemical ingredients, and is also a compliant, safe eye drop, priced within a reasonable range for ordinary artificial tears.
Eyeganics is therefore a ground-breaking product. Kudos to Dr. Dan Friederich. If you think he's on the right track, conceptually, please let him know it, regardless of whether this eye drop ends up being a keeper for you personally!
I know, right?
This idea is eye-roll inducing for some of us, sort of like gluten free eyelid cleansers. After all, organic is all well and good for tomatoes, especially when they come out of my own garden and not some Big Ag farm. But an eye drop?
Then I heard Dr. Friederich's story, and took a closer look.
I realized that Eyeganics is actually a very serious attempt - the first of its kind, in fact - to make a more natural eye drop that is not only truly chemical-free but also complies with FDA rules, is packaged in the correct kind of bottle for preservative-free eye drops, and is made in a highly respected European manufacturing facility. That's when I said to myself that we really need to give this a chance, and to encourage more of the same approach.
One of my key hopes for this drop is that it will be well tolerated by the growing number of people with chemical sensitivities, as well as by those who simply as a matter of preference want to steer away from anything that cannot be reasonably described as natural. Sadly, there are products claiming to be natural which are anything but! This one, however, is what it says it is.
I would urge people trying Eyeganics to not set their expectations unreasonably high. This is a fairly low concentration glycerin drop; it is thin; unlike most glycerin-as-active-ingredient drops on the market, it does not contain sodium hyaluronate; and it may or may not provide sufficient symptomatic relief. (And if this seems like a lack of enthusiasm on my part, it's really just the fact that I never make promises about any drops, because it has always been my experience that it is impossible to predict who will like a given eye drop.)
I can't say any more than that till I get some feedback from others. So, if you try it, please let us know! And please be honest but kind in the reviews... like I said, this kind of product development process and motivation is something I'd really like to encourage.
I noticed this eye drop a few months ago. I have to confess that I quickly blew past it. Why? Superficially, its presentation ticked all the wrong boxes for me at a time when there are more and more reasons to be suspicious of eye drops that seem to be coloring really far outside the lines.
Then one day at a conference, a doctor asked if I was aware of Eyeganics and, if so, what I thought of it. As I struggled for some sufficiently noncommittal comments, I realized I had made judgments without doing my homework. Not cool. That's how I ended up getting an intro to Dr. Friederich, having a conversation, and learning much more.
Dry Eye Shop is fortunate enough to be patronized by many highly discriminating consumers. Any potential concerns that I do not raise myself, you will! So, at the risk of offending the proprietor I'm going to go ahead and state right here some of the superficial "red flags" that had raised my hackles and distracted me from the substance of what has been achieved with Eyeganics.
In brief: (a) The platform I first saw it on sells noncompliant products alongside compliant products, so I immediately suspected this was just another dodgy drop. (b) The website dedicated to the product is too information-poor and doesn't even have the Drug Facts. (c) Too much emphasis on the testimonials. (d) Statements made on the product website about common ingredients in artificial tears feel like scare-mongering to me. What is the point of suggesting that the chemicals which are used in infinitesimal quantities to balance the pH of an eye drop could (but only if used or consumed in a vastly higher concentration) cause dire harm. Let's not forget that even water is toxic when you consume too much too fast!
As many of you know, there are very few drops that I like for my personal use. I am a scleral lens wearer who does not use eye drops during the day, so I don't actually have a personal need for a drop like this. I found Eyeganics perfectly comfortable to apply (it was not in the least irritating), but it is too thin and runny for my evening and morning needs.
I am keen to learn who this drop is going to be best for. At 0.2% glycerin, it's not a heavyweight for severe dry eye, but I think it's going to have a very important niche. Please let us know what you think!
Eyeganics Organic Tears is extremely refreshing for dry eyes, with only three ingredients: organic glycerin (oil from organic vegetables), salt, and water.
Eyeganics is the only eye drop that is certified organic by USDA: No preservatives, no artificial chemical ingredients, no additives, soy and gluten free.
New technology dispenses ~300 preservative-free drops per bottle - an excellent value compared to single use vials. Note: Our bottle dropper is easy to use, requiring a sustained steady squeeze to dispense drops.
Glycerin* 0.2% (Eye Lubricant)
Stop use and ask a doctor if:
Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed.
Store at 59F to 86F (15C-30C)
Sodium Chloride, Water
*Certified organic