"Do You Have To Use Prescription Eye Drops If You Have Dry Eye Disease?

 

 

 

 

I was asked this question the other day. "Do I really need prescription eye drops for dry eye disease?" Today, we’re diving into this question to help you understand when prescription eye drops might be necessary and how they differ from over-the-counter options.

 

 

 

Understanding Dry Eye Treatments

 

 

Managing dry eye disease can involve a range of treatments. Here's what you need to know:

• • Over-the-counter (OTC) Eye Drops:
    These are commonly used as a solo therapy for mild dry eye symptoms and provide temporary relief. Meaning you have to use them CONSTANTLY if you have moderate to severe dry eye symptoms.
  • Prescription Eye Drops:
    Formulated with active ingredients to reduce inflammation and to increase actual tear production. I use this for all of my moderate to severe cases of dry eye disease.
  • Customized Treatment:
    Your treatment plan must be tailored to your specific needs, ensuring the best possible result. I always say that no 2 dry eye cases are the same. Here, I often use a combo of both OTC and Rx eye drops for best results. 

When Are Prescription Eye Drops Recommended?

• • Persistent Dryness:
    In general, if my patient is using more than 1 drop twice a day of preservative free OTC drops. 
  • Inflammation:
    For cases where inflammation is a major contributor to your symptoms. In general, if there is pain / discomfort – there's inflammation.
  • Meibomian Gland Dysfunction:
    When associated conditions like MGD and aqueous deficient dry eye exist together - I usually rely on prescription eye drops because these cases tend to be more stubborn.
  • Enhanced Efficacy:
    Prescription drops contain actives that just work better and faster than OTC artificial tears. If you want faster results, prescription is the way to go. 

Pros and Cons of Prescription Eye Drops

• • Benefits:
    They offer targeted relief with active ingredients designed to combat specific aspects of dry eye disease.
  • Considerations:
    They may come with potential side effects and require ongoing monitoring by your eye care professional. For example, steroids can increase your eye pressure, and Restasis can cause temporary stinging. 
  • Cost Factor:
    Prescription treatments rely on insurance and insurance can be a nuisance. Copays, deductibles, co-insurance, prior authorizations  . . . sigh. 

 

My Thoughts:

The choice between over-the-counter and a prescription eye drop is a personal choice. The wonderful thing about eye drops is that they are topical and not orally administered. Eye drops treat the target organ directly, instead of having to run through your entire body to work. This makes eye drops special and the common sensical option. 😊