One of the most common additives in most of the over-the-counter eye drops that treat dry eyes is carboxymethylcellulose eye drops (CMC). These are the drops that doctors and ophthalmologists often prescribe to use when it is important to moisturize your eyes and minimize the irritating effects of external factors such as dust, wind, or excessive use of computers and other screens.
What is Carboxymethylcellulose?
One of the lubricants or artificial tears is carboxymethylcellulose, which resembles the natural wetness of your eyes. It is classified in a category of drugs referred to as ophthalmic lubricants; it is primarily utilized in treating dryness, discomfort, or burning of the eye.
Composition
Carboxymethylcellulose eye drops usually consist of:
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium | Lubricant to relieve dryness and irritation |
| Purified Water | Solvent |
| Stabilizers/Preservatives | To maintain shelf-life (in some variants) |
Depending on the intensity of your eye dryness and its brand, it is offered in such concentrations as 0.5, 0.7, or 1 percent.
Benefits of Carboxymethylcellulose
These are some of the most widespread advantages of the use of Carboxymethylcellulose:
- Offers immediate relief from itchy, gritty, and dry eyes.
- Stabilizes the tear film; this limits subsequent irritation.
- Comforts sun and wind burns, and pollution or screen burns.
- Long-lasting in case of having chronic dry eye issues.
- Suitable for contact lens wearers.
Its benefits are non-invasive relief that does not require a prescription in mild situations.
Side Effects
Although Carboxymethylcellulose is quite safe, certain users are bound to have some minor and temporary side effects:
- Tiny red eyes
- Marginal burning or sting The slight burning or sting of the eye.
- Ruddiness or scratchiness
- Brain fog (A few seconds after applying)
- In rare cases eye pain (in rare cases)
Note: Some side effects may take more than a few minutes to disappear or may get worse, and when this happens, seek medical advice from your eye doctor.
Usages
Use as follows to be safe and effective:
- Clean hands thoroughly then apply.
- Drop your lower eyelid gently with a head tilted back position to make a small pocket.
- Squirt 1 or 2 drops in the pocket. The end of the dropper. Should not be touched.
- Rub your inner corner (beside your nose) with closed eyes, and hold it in place, for 1 minute. It ensures the medicine does not run out.
- Please wait 510 minutes between drops employing another eye medication.
- The bottle should always be put in a cool, dry place and the cap should be put back tightly.
- Put the bottle away after 4 weeks of opening.
Carboxymethylcellulose Price Range
Carboxymethylcellulose-based eye drops come at different costs, and this is because of the brand, concentration, and packaging of the product. The comparison of popular brands looks as follows:
| Brand Name | Company | Price Range (₹) | Variants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh Liquigel | Allergan India Pvt Ltd | ₹185 – ₹233 | 2 |
| Optive | Allergan India Pvt Ltd | ₹137 | 1 |
| Veldrop | Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd | ₹127 – ₹188 | 3 |
| Lubistar-CMC | Mankind Pharma Ltd | ₹89 – ₹169 | 2 |
| Ontears | Sentiss Pharma | ₹73 – ₹199 | 4 |
| Add Tears | Cipla Ltd | ₹140 | 1 |
| CCS | Optho Life Sciences Pvt Ltd | ₹125 – ₹185 | 3 |
| Eco Tears | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd | ₹95 – ₹185 | 4 |
| Relub | Centaur Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd | ₹126 – ₹166 | 2 |
Safety Measures
- Do not give your eye drops to anybody.
- Never use beyond an expiry date.
- Do not use slow and discolored solutions.
- Users of contact lenses need to take them out when inserting and wait 15 minutes at the minimum before replacing them back in.
- Keep away from direct sunlight and heat.
- In case of pregnancy or breastfeeding, use a doctor.
- Do not mix several eye solutions if not under prescription.
Carboxymethylcellulose Substitutes
In case CMC eye drops are inappropriate, there is a set of alternative lubricants:
| Alternative Ingredient | Brand Examples |
|---|---|
| Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose | Tear Drops, Tears Plus |
| Polyethylene Glycol | Systane Ultra |
| Hypromellose | I-Kul, Hypersol |
| Glycerin + Dextran | Tears Naturale |
| Povidone | Moisol, Aquasite |
Never change medications, without conferring with an eye specialist.
Conclusion
The carboxymethylcellulose eye drops are a successful and nontoxic remedy in the elimination of dry inner organs and relief of eye irritation in response to environmental stress. They carry out the functions of tear-like substances, and thus they are a perfect fit in everyday life, especially among those individuals who spend much of their life hours in front of computers or under air conditioning. It is still one of the most credible solutions in ophthalmology due to other brands and depreciated versions.
FAQs:
Ans. Yes, it is safe for long-term daily use unless otherwise advised by your doctor.
Ans. Serious side effects are very rare. Most users experience only mild irritation or blurry vision, which typically clears up within minutes.
Ans. No, in most countries including India, they are available over the counter. However, it’s best to consult a doctor for chronic dry eyes.
Ans. Yes, but remove lenses before applying and wait 15 minutes before wearing them again.
Ans. Since these drops are used as needed, missing a dose is usually not a problem. Just apply when symptoms appear.
Disclaimer
We hereby disclaim that the provided information is just to inform you about the topic. The information provided is based on the sources on the internet. We are not responsible for any mishaps or hurt that you may get from reading the content. We are here to provide you the authentic and fact-checked information.
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