Doctors, optometrists and ophthalmologists across the world would generally agree that dry eye syndrome is the most common visual problem a person can suffer from. While the causes can vary from one person to another, including genetic factors, exposure to bright lights and wind, and more, many people find that they turn to the same solutions for treatment. Meanwhile, the Refresh company offers a collection of eye drops that are designed to help fight back against chronic conditions of dry eye, and encourage your eyes to produce better tears. Naturally, there is always the possibility that you could suffer from a number of side effects.

What Are Refresh Eye Drops

In simple terms, Refresh eye drops are a form of optical or ocular lubricant. These drops have been specially designed with a formulation that is intended to support the natural makeup of the eyes and keep the surface moist when your body is otherwise unable to produce the right level of tear film in order to moisturize and protect your eyes. The ocular lubricant is frequently recommended as a solution by doctors for people who suffer from dry eye condition and various symptoms such as irritation, burning, and discomfort.

It’s worth noting that dry eye syndrome isn’t the only problem in play. In fact, some people find that dry eyes make them more prone to infection and injury in the eyes. This is why it is advisable to search for the right medical solution for your condition.

Precautions to Take with Refresh Eye Drops

If your aim is to avoid side effects when taking Refresh Eye Drops, one of the most important things you can do is be honest with your doctor when eye drops and ocular lubricants are being prescribed to you. Remember that you should never use any ocular lubricant that contains ingredients which you might be allergic too, and keep in mind that using these drops will neither prevent nor treat an infection within the eye. Ask your pharmacist or doctor in advance whether it is safe for you to use this medication if you are suffering from an infection or any other health condition that might be related to your eyes or vision.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding at the time of being given the Refresh eye drops. Though eye drops are generally not considered to be harmful to unborn babies, it is not currently known whether or not these drops can be absorbed into the blood stream or passed on to your child through breast milk.

How to Use Refresh Eye Drops

To use Refresh eye drops with caution, it is important that you make sure you always follow the instructions that have been given to you by your doctor. Remember that you should never attempt to use an ocular lubricant of any kind for longer than you have been instructed to use. What’s more, if you are attempting to get rid of symptoms associated with dry eye over a relatively long period, you should always complete the course as it is given to you by a medical professional.

Make sure that you avoid using this medicine when you are wearing contact lenses. Refresh ocular lubricant may contain a form of preservative that can discolor and damage soft contact lenses. It’s a good idea to wait for at least fifteen minutes following its use before you put back on your contact lenses. It may also be important to speak to your doctor about whether it is safe to continue wearing contact lenses when you are using the medication.

How to Apply Refresh Eye Drops

To apply Refresh eye drops, tilt your head backwards slightly and pull down your lower eyelid and create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above your eye with the tip facing downwards, then look up and away from the dropper, towards the ceiling. Squeeze a single drop of Refresh into your eye and make sure that the dropper does not come into contact with your eye or any other surface. From that point:

• Close your eyes for a period of around two to three minutes, keeping your head tipped down towards the floor. Avoiding squinting or blinking, press the tip of your finger gently into the inside corner of your eye, as this will help to prevent the solution from draining out through your tear duct.
• Make sure that you only use the number of drops that have been prescribed to you by your doctor. If you use more than one drop at a time, you should wait around five minutes between drops to ensure that the full solution is absorbed.
• Ensure that you wait for a minimum of ten minutes before applying any other drops or ointments that have been prescribed by your doctor.

Do not use Refresh eye drops if the liquid within the bottle has floating particles or has changed color. Make sure that you call your doctor and ask for a new bottle of medicine instead. At the same time, make sure that you do not touch the tip of the dropper to your eye as a contaminated dropper could lead to infection. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using the lubricant as prescribed.

Possible Interactions and Concerns

After opening your eyes, you may find that the drops have left you with blurred vision or discomfort for a short period of time. It is important to avoid driving or doing anything that could be dangerous during this time. Do not operate any machinery until you are able to see clearly. Also, keep in mind that your doctor will be aware of any possible interactions and will be monitoring you for these. Do not change the dosage of your medication without speaking to your doctor first, but do tell him or her about all of the prescription and non prescription medications that you are taking.

Side Effects of Refresh Eye Drops

Remember that all eye drop products can interact with the accuracy and performance of your contact lenses. Your doctor might recommend that you stop wearing your contact lenses during the time when you are using Refresh eye drops. Also, keep in mind that you might experience a temporary feeling of burning or irritation when you apply the substance but this should go away by itself quite quickly along with any blurred vision that you might experience. Your eye will simply need to get used to the increased amount of moisture, and the ingredients present within the drops.

It is unlikely that you will experience any major side effects. Some of the ocular lubricant side effects that you might encounter will probably not require any medical attention or concern. The side effects will simply disappear naturally. Consult with your physician about the possibility of switching to a different brand or type of lubricating substance if the side effects persist.

The most common side effects include:

• Blurred vision
• Redness in the eye or discomfort around the eye that wasn’t present before using the eye lubricant
• Matting or stickiness in the eyelashes
• Increased sensitivity to light or photophobia
• Watering eyes

In rare conditions, you might experience an allergic reaction to some of the ingredients. Allergy symptoms might include:

• A sudden rash
• Difficulty breathing or dizziness
• Swelling around the eyes
• Swelling in the tongue or throat

If you experience any of these problems it is important to seek emergency help as quickly as possible.

Resources and References:

Refresh – Comprehensive information on Refresh eye drops and how to use them (Drugs.com)

Side Effects of Refresh Eye Drops – Most common side effects associated with Refresh and other ocular lubricants (Livestrong.com)

Refresh Pluss Ophthalmic – Interactions that Refresh might have with other medications and substances (WebMD.com)