Eye Care

It depends on the symptom. Dry, gritty or tired eyes usually respond to a lubricating drop such as Hypromellose, which works like artificial tears. Itchy, watery, red eyes in pollen season point to allergy — sodium cromoglicate drops, including Opticrom Hayfever, calm the allergic reaction. If you're not sure which fits, describe your symptoms to our pharmacist, or see our hay fever page.

Wash your hands, tilt your head back, and gently pull down your lower lid to make a small pocket. Squeeze one drop in without letting the bottle tip touch your eye or lashes, then close your eye for a minute or two. Pressing lightly on the inner corner of the eye, by your nose, helps the drop stay where it's needed. It gets easier with practice.

Usually you should take lenses out first and wait before putting them back in — many drops contain preservatives that soft lenses can absorb, which may irritate your eyes. Each product's leaflet says whether it's lens-friendly and how long to wait. If dry or itchy eyes are a regular problem when you wear lenses, mention it to your optician as well.

Most bottles should be thrown away four weeks after opening, even if there's plenty left — the drops are no longer reliably sterile after that, and using them risks an eye infection. Check your product's leaflet for its exact limit, and it helps to write the date you opened it on the bottle so you don't lose track.

Get urgent help — a same-day optician appointment, your GP or A&E — for eye pain, changes in your sight, sensitivity to light, one very red eye, or anything that has hit or got into the eye. For milder irritation that hasn't settled after a couple of weeks of drops, see an optician, who can examine your eyes properly. Our pharmacist can help you judge which route you need.