10 Best Eye Drops for Contact Lenses UK 2024 | Hycosan, Clinitas and More
If you've made the switch to contact lenses, you might have noticed your eyes feeling drier and itchier than usual. It's a small price to pay for 20/20 vision, but you don't have to settle for discomfort! Luckily, whether from new use or in addition to hay fever, allergies or eyestrain, there are plenty of eye drops on the market specifically designed to target irritation for contact lens users.
This article will detail all the major things you'll need to consider when shopping for eye drops, such as sodium hyaluronate content, preservative-free formulas and single-dose droppers. Plus, we've compiled a list of the top 10 eye drops for contact lenses currently available through UK retailers such as Amazon, Boots and Tesco.
Quick List - Top Eye Drops for Contact Lenses
Blink
A Mild 0.15% Formula for Those Whose Irritation Varies from Day to Day
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Table of Contents
- How to Choose Eye Drops for Contact Lenses in the UK
- Check the Sodium Hyaluronate Content: Mild Drops Contain 0.1% While 0.2% Is Better for More Severe Dryness1
- Choose a Bottle With a 6-Month Shelf Life in Mild Cases or a Preservative-Free Formula for More Frequent Use on Sensitive Eyes2
- Avoid Contaminating Preservative-Free Drops With a Multipack of Single-Use Vials3
How to Choose Eye Drops for Contact Lenses in the UK
- Check the Sodium Hyaluronate Content to Deduce How Hydrating They Are
- Consider the Frequency of Use When Choosing Standard or Preservative-Free
- Choose Single-Use Vials for the Most Hygienic Storage Solution
Check the Sodium Hyaluronate Content: Mild Drops Contain 0.1% While 0.2% Is Better for More Severe Dryness
The moistening property in eye drops comes from sodium hyaluronate, so more severe cases will need a higher content of the chemical. Mild drops tend to contain around 0.1%. For drier eyes, you should look for a sodium hyaluronate content of 0.2% and above. More severe cases are usually treated with 0.25 - 0.4% drops, but these are not normally available over the counter and will need to be prescribed by your doctor.
Take a break from your lenses with the right pair of reading glasses.
Choose a Bottle With a 6-Month Shelf Life in Mild Cases or a Preservative-Free Formula for More Frequent Use on Sensitive Eyes
Preservatives are used to stop harmful bacteria from growing inside the eye drop bottle, so products containing these chemicals have a longer shelf life of up to 6 months. Because they come in larger volumes with a longer shelf life, they tend to be the most cost-effective option, but they're only recommended for mild cases. Using them more than six times per day can be harmful to your eyes.
The last thing you want to do is make your dry or itchy eyes even more irritated, so if you have sensitive eyes or need to use drops more frequently, it's best to opt for a preservative-free formula. This variety can be used multiple times daily, with no limit to how many times you can reapply. They are a more expensive option, but relief from chronic dryness is often deemed worth the investment.
Strained, irritated eyes or problems sleeping? Try some blue light blocking glasses.
Avoid Contaminating Preservative-Free Drops With a Multipack of Single-Use Vials
If you decide to opt for a preservative-free formula, it will likely come in a single-dose container. These individually sealed plastic vials contain between 0.04 and 0.05 ml, making them the perfect size for one application. This helps to keep the rest of your stock separate from the opened bottles to avoid contamination and the risk of harmful bacterial growth.
They come in packs of around 20 to 30, so you'll have to consider how many doses you will need per day to work out how long the multipack will last. As well as the added expense of the preservative-free formula, you may notice that single-dose packaging is also more expensive than full-sized bottles. However, it is vital if you want to ensure preservative-free drops remain safe to use over an extended time period.
Suffering from hay fever or itchiness? Double up with some eye drops for dry eyes.
10 Best Eye Drops for Contact Lenses in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Clinitas 0.2% Soothing Eye Drops | | 30 Doses of Preservative-Free Drops for Moderate Dryness | |
2 | Ocusan Single Dose Eye Drops | | Relieve Dryness and Irritation With Hyaluronic Acid | |
3 | Blink Contacts Soothing Eye Drops | | A Mild 0.15% Formula for Those Whose Irritation Varies from Day to Day | |
4 | Boots Contact Lens Eye Drops | | Apply 2 to 3 Times per Day to Relieve Mild Irritation | |
5 | A. Vogel Extra Moisturising Eye Drops | | Soothe and Moisturise Very Dry Eyes With a Natural-Based, Vegan Formula | |
6 | Vizulize Intensive Dry Eye Drops | | A pH-Balanced Formula to Combat Intense, Relentless Dryness | |
7 | Hycosan Dual Preservative-Free Eyedrops | | A Preservative-Free Formula With a 6-Month Shelf Life | |
8 | Murine Contacts Refresh & Clean Eye Drops | | Gentle Drops Specifically Designed for Long-Duration Lens Wear | |
9 | Refresh Contact Eye Drops | | A Multipack of Vials to Combat Grit, Redness and Hay Fever Irritation | |
10 | Tesco Contact Lens Eye Drops | | A Low-Budget Bottle for Frequent Daily Use |
30 Doses of Preservative-Free Drops for Moderate Dryness
The vials are perfectly portioned for a single dose, but they are resealable, too. This makes them great for half doses if this schedule suits you more, spacing regular treatment more evenly throughout the day.
Relieve Dryness and Irritation With Hyaluronic Acid
The preservative-free formula will remain free of contamination thanks to the individually sealed vials. As well as dryness and irritation, this formula will combat tired eyes as a result of over-exposure.
A Mild 0.15% Formula for Those Whose Irritation Varies from Day to Day
Depending on your chosen retailer, you can test out this product by purchasing a singular 10 ml bottle or stock up with a 6-pack. Either way, you'll be getting the same 0.15% sodium hyaluronate formula that's suitable for mild to moderate irritation.
Because of the low concentration, there's no limit to the frequency of use per day. This makes Blinks' drops an excellent option if your irritation tends to vary from day to day, as you can adjust your usage accordingly.
Apply 2 to 3 Times per Day to Relieve Mild Irritation
For soothing mild irritation, this 10 ml bottle from leading pharmaceutical retailer Boots is trusted by countless customers across the UK. It provides long-lasting relief, only needing to be applied up to 3 times per day.
Thanks to the formula's preservatives, you won't have to worry about contamination or bacteria causing further irritation to your eyes. Plus, the shelf life of the product has been extended to ensure that it will last up to 3 months after opening.
Soothe and Moisturise Very Dry Eyes With a Natural-Based, Vegan Formula
The manufacturer, A. Vogel, prides itself on its vegan and cruelty-free products that use nature's finest healing ingredients. So, if you're keen to find eye drops that are kind to your eyes as well as the planet, this will be the option for you.
A pH-Balanced Formula to Combat Intense, Relentless Dryness
The formula is pH balanced and made with natural plant extracts to minimise side effects as well as provide lubrication both day and night. It is worth noting that since it's such an intense formula, it's recommended that you speak with your doctor before use.
A Preservative-Free Formula With a 6-Month Shelf Life
Because it's preservative-free, you will need to be careful about potential contamination and harmful bacterial growth. If stored correctly, though, each bottle will keep for up to 6 months once opened.
Gentle Drops Specifically Designed for Long-Duration Lens Wear
Unfortunately, there's no sodium hyaluronate content specified for this product. So, if you're looking for the reassurance of a certain percentage, such as for severe dryness, you would be better off choosing another option.
A Multipack of Vials to Combat Grit, Redness and Hay Fever Irritation
The drops may also be used as relief from irritation caused by environmental factors such as hay fever, dust or screen-related eyestrain. On the downside, the daily dose of these vials isn't specified, so you can't be certain how long a box will last until you make the purchase.
A Low-Budget Bottle for Frequent Daily Use
However, with an unlimited dose and no specification for dryness suitability or sodium hyaluronate content, it's difficult to estimate how long the 10 ml is designed to last. Being the cheapest on the list, though, it should be easier to replace than most other products when it does run out.
Written and researched by Alicia Byrne
Top 5 Eye Drops for Contact Lenses
No. 1: Clinitas｜0.2% Soothing Eye Drops
No. 2: Ocusan｜Single Dose Eye Drops
No. 3: Blink｜Contacts Soothing Eye Drops
No. 4: Boots｜Contact Lens Eye Drops
No. 5: A. Vogel｜Extra Moisturising Eye Drops
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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