Your eyes are irritated, and that little bottle is right there, within arm’s reach. But before you throw those drugstore eye drops into your cart, know that over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops can be a tempting quick fix for dry, red, or irritated eyes, but they’re not always the safest solution. Not only shouldn’t you waste your money on OTC drops; you could be making matters worse by succumbing to their instant gratification charms.

The Risks of Overusing OTC Eye Drops

One major concern with OTC eye drops that your eye doctor in Pittsburgh, PA wants you to know, is the “rebound effect.” These drops work by constricting blood vessels on the eye’s surface to reduce redness, but, like a bad drug, your eyes can become reliant on the drops to stay clear. This has a strong chance of creating a cycle of physical dependency that isn’t addiction, but closely related to it.

This part is even worse. These insidious eye drops often contain preservatives that, with frequent use, can irritate the eye’s delicate tissues. This can make matters much worse, especially for those with sensitive eyes.

Potential Side Effects and Hidden Problems

OTC drops hide symptoms without treating the root cause. This can lead to worsening conditions if you’re thinking that everything’s taken care of and avoid your eye doctor.

Instead of relying on OTC drops, visit your eye doctor for an eye exam in Pittsburgh, PA to identify the cause of your symptoms. There are really great, effective treatments available that won’t make matters worse, and will actually improve the underlying conditions that are causing the problem to begin with. If you need eyecare, make sure it doesn’t come from some drugstore shelf. Get professional help from your eye doctor at Lappen Eye Care.