Is it normal for moisturizing eye drops to burn? Brand recommendations?

[Hobbes]

I have a bunch of eye questions but they're on a few topics, so I'll space them out over time.

I'm 34, nearsighted and wear glasses. I've noticed I see a weird "grain" or almost static to my vision that is always there, but most noticeable when im looking at blank spaces like walls, or dark places. I went and got an eye exam and was told I have dry eyes and they think that's the problem. I also apparently had inflamed eyelids and was prescribed an anti-bacterial eye drop (Tobradex) and a moisturizing drop (Systane Balance). Ten days later I went back for my follow up and was told that the inflammation had cleared up but the dryness hadn't (And neither has the static vision) and was told to find a preservative-free moisturizing eye drop and take it for three to four weeks.

I went out and bought something called Hydrasense Advance (The active ingredient is Sodium hyaluronate) and have been using it for a little over a week, three times a day as my optometrist recommended. Here's the weird thing: the Tobradex and Systane Balance never felt like anything weird on my eyes, but I'd say 80% of the time when I use the Hydrasense, one or both of my eyes start to burn and water badly for a few minutes. It's not unbearable or anything, it feels like when you forget you ate some spicy peppers and rub your eyes and it always goes away after a few minutes, but I'm just wondering...is this supposed to happen? Should I try a different preservative-free drop, and if so, do you have any recommendations, because there are quite a few choices in stores. Systane products, Refresh products, Bausch and Lomb, I don't know what's best. Thanks!

[Guest]

I have koyerallly used every drop on the market, and some European brands you can’t get here. In my humble opinion, oasis tears and oasis tears plus are the best drops. They also contain hyloraunic acid, by they’re gentle. If the HA is what’s bothering you, then I’d say you may have to run the gamut and just try different brands until you fix one that feeds with you.

Mad for us this normal, the answer is yes. If you’re inflamed and sevaitive, even if you put in a of drop, it has buffers and chemicals just not found in the eye. So it will never be as good as your real tears or blood serum. I would say if you can get blood serum drawn, that’s your best bet. You will most likely not be allergic to your own blood. Out of every study I read on autologous serum, only 1 person was allergic to their own serum. Anyone else allergic received the blood from a donor. So a sure fire way around this is serum tears.

Thats my my best advice. Serum has growth factors and vitamins. It’s oily, so if you have a lid problem, it can help compensate for your possible low/poor quality oil production. As for commercial drops, try oasis they’re expensive, or just start buying brands and see. I react to EVERY single thing that goes in my eye unless it’s serum, or compunded in saline. Let me add the tobradex has a preservative in it. If I use preservatives, my irritation increases a lot. If you can get compunded steroids that would help too. Good luck.

[Alix]

I have a bunch of eye questions but they're on a few topics, so I'll space them out over time.

I'm 34, nearsighted and wear glasses. I've noticed I see a weird "grain" or almost static to my vision that is always there, but most noticeable when im looking at blank spaces like walls, or dark places. I went and got an eye exam and was told I have dry eyes and they think that's the problem. I also apparently had inflamed eyelids and was prescribed an anti-bacterial eye drop (Tobradex) and a moisturizing drop (Systane Balance). Ten days later I went back for my follow up and was told that the inflammation had cleared up but the dryness hadn't (And neither has the static vision) and was told to find a preservative-free moisturizing eye drop and take it for three to four weeks.

I went out and bought something called Hydrasense Advance (The active ingredient is Sodium hyaluronate) and have been using it for a little over a week, three times a day as my optometrist recommended. Here's the weird thing: the Tobradex and Systane Balance never felt like anything weird on my eyes, but I'd say 80% of the time when I use the Hydrasense, one or both of my eyes start to burn and water badly for a few minutes. It's not unbearable or anything, it feels like when you forget you ate some spicy peppers and rub your eyes and it always goes away after a few minutes, but I'm just wondering...is this supposed to happen? Should I try a different preservative-free drop, and if so, do you have any recommendations, because there are quite a few choices in stores. Systane products, Refresh products, Bausch and Lomb, I don't know what's best. Thanks!

Hello, here in the UK, all the eye doctors I have seen recommend the Hycosan range (in other countries it is marketed as "Hylo"). There are all preservative free and are non-irritating.
There is one called Hycosan Extra for "severe dry eye" which has 0.2% Hyaluronic Acid. I have severe evaporative dry eye so it isn't right for me as I need something more lipid based but I can vouch for it's soothing qualities and it stays on the eye longer than other brands due to its viscosity. Hope you find one that works for you.