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  • Scott Adams
    Scott Adams

    Which Brands of Eye Drops are Gluten-Free?

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Wondering which brands of eye drops are gluten-free? 

    Which Brands of Eye Drops are Gluten-Free? - Image: CC BY 2.0--Axel Naud
    Caption: Image: CC BY 2.0--Axel Naud

    Celiac.com 07/24/2021 - We get a lot of questions from celiac community members wondering if certain products are gluten-free. One question we see a lot is about eye drops. 

    Specifically, which top brands of eye drops are gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease? 

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    Nearly all top brands of eye drops are manufactured without known allergens, including gluten, and so are regarded as gluten-free and safe for people with celiac disease. That said, not all of them are labeled gluten-free. 

    The following top brands of eye drops are either labeled gluten-free, or made without gluten ingredients and considered safe for people with celiac disease. For each entry, we've included a link to the company website, for more detailed information.

    Bausch + Lomb

    • Bausch + Lomb Advanced Eye Relief Dry Eye Lubricant Eye Drops
    • Bausch + Lomb Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops
    • Advanced Eye Relief Eye Wash
    • Advanced Eye Relief Redness (Instant)
    • Advanced Eye Relief Redness (Maximum)
    • Advanced Eye Relief Rejuvenation
    • Alaway Antihistamine
    • LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops
    • Muro 128 2% Solution
    • Muro 128 5% Ointment
    • Muro 128 5% Solution
    • Opcon-A Antihistamine and Redness Reliever Eye Drops
    • Soothe Lubricant Eye Drops - Hydration
    • Soothe Lubricant Eye Drops - Maximum Hydration
    • Soothe Lubricant Eye Drops - Preservative Free
    • Soothe Lubricant Eye Ointment - Night Time
    • Soothe XP Emollient (Lubricant) Eye Drops - Preservative Free
    • Soothe XP Emollient (Lubricant) Eye Drops - Xtra Protection

    Bio Tru

    • Hydration Boost Eye Drops

    Clear Eyes

    • Advanced Dry & Itchy Eye Relief
    • Complete for Sensitive Eyes Relief
    • Complete for 7 Symptom Relief
    • Contact Lens Relief
    • Cooling Comfort
    • Cooling Comfort Redness Eye Relief
    • Dry Eye Relief
    • Itch Relief
    • Maximum Redness Relief
    • Multi-Symptom Relief
    • Natural Tears Lubricant
    • Redness Relief
    • Sensitive Eye Relief
    • Traveler's Eye Relief
    • Triple Action

    Equate

    • Equate Eye Itch Relief
    • Equate Lubricant Eye Drops for Dry Eye Relief
    • Equate Original Redness Reliever Sterile Eye Drops
    • Equate Restorative Performance Lubricant Eye Drops
    • Equate Restore Plus Lubricant Eye Drops For Lasik Dryness

    GenTeal

    • GenTeal Lubricant Eye Gel
    • GenTeal Lubricant Eye Liquid Drops

    Hyalogic

    • HylaTears Lubricant Eye Drops

    LUMIFY

    • LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops

    Optrex

    • Optrex Actimist Double Action for Dry & Irritated Eyes
    • Optrex Intensive Eye Drops
    • Optrex Double Action Drops for Dry & Tired Eyes
    • Optrex Night Restore Gel Drops
    • Optrex Soothing Eye Drops for Itchy Eyes
    • Optrex Multi Action Eye Wash
    • Optrex Hayfever Relief drops
    • Optrex Allergy 2% w/v Eye Drops
    • Optrex Actimist Double Action for Itchy & Watery Eyes
    • Optrex Double Action Drops for Itchy & Watery Eyes

    Refresh

    • Refresh Digital Lubricant Eye Drops
    • Refresh Digital PF
    • Refresh Lubricant Eye Drops
    • Refresh Optive
    • Refresh Optive Advanced
    • Refresh Optive Advanced PF
    • Refresh Optive Classic
    • Refresh Optive Contacts
    • Refresh Optive Mega-3 Lubricant Eye Drops, Preservative-Free
    • Refresh Optive PF
    • Refresh Plus Lubricant Eye Drops
    • Refresh Relieva for Contacts
    • Refresh Relieva PF
    • Refresh Relieva PF Multi Dose
    • Refresh Tears

    Rohto

    • Rohto Cool Max Redness Relief Eye Drops
    • Rohto Cool Original Eye Drops
    • Rohto Digi Eye Digital Eye Strain Eye Drops
    • Rohto Dry Aid Lubricating Eye Drops
    • Rohto Eye Drops Optic Glow
    • Rohto Ice Multi-Symptom Eye Drops

    Thera Tears

    • TheraTears Dry Eye Therapy Lubricant Eye Drops
    • TheraTears Liquid Gel Nightime Dry Eye Therapy
    • TheraTears SteriLid
    • TheraTears SteriLid Antimicrobial

    Supermart

    • Smart Eyes

    Systane

    • Systane Complete Lubricant Eye Drops
    • Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops for Dry Eye Symptom

    Visine

    • Visine A
    • VISINE AC Itchy Eye Relief Astringent/Redness Reliever Eye Drops
    • VISINE ADVANCED Redness + Irritation Relief
    • VISINE Allergy Eye Relief Multi-Action Antihistamine and Redness Reliever Eye Drops
    • VISINE Dry Eye Relief All Day Comfort Lubricant Eye Drops
    • VISINE Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Drops
    • VISINE Dry Eye Relief Tired Eye Lubricant Eye Drops
    • VISINE FOR CONTACTS Lubricating + Rewetting Drops
    • VISINE MAXIMUM STRENGTH Redness Relief Formula
    • VISINE ORIGINAL Redness Relief
    • VISINE Red Eye Comfort Eye Drops
    • VISINE Red Eye Hydrating Comfort Eye Drops
    • VISINE Red Eye Total Comfort Multi-Symptom Eye Drops
    • VISINE TOTALITY

    Zaditor

    • Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops

    Do you have a favorite brand of eye drops that we missed? Share it in the comments below.
     


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Guest Bonnie

    Posted

    What about Systane Hydration PF , also what about Rx eye drops such as Timolol Maleate?

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    Guest Brian B.

    Posted

    Is OcuSoft's Retaine MGD gluten-free?

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    Guest lori

    pataday drops?

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    Guest Celiac

    Posted

    Are the Allergan/Refresh brand Celluvisc drops gluten free? 

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    Guest Guest Steve

    Posted

    Does it matter? Are you drinking your eye drops? I know of no path connecting the eyes to the digestive system. 

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    trents

     

    50 minutes ago, Guest Guest Steve said:

    Does it matter? Are you drinking your eye drops? I know of no path connecting the eyes to the digestive system. 

    It would matter only if it trickles down your face and makes it to your lips or your mouth, which by the way, is not unlikely.

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    Scott Adams

    In super sensitive people, like those with dermatitis herpetiformis, it might matter. Skin contact does matter for many of them, and "experts" have claimed for years that skin contact with gluten does not matter to those with either celiac disease or DH. No studies have been done on this that I know of, and Celiac.com takes the position that those with gluten sensitivity should choose any products that you put on your skin (or in your eyes or ears), that are marked "gluten-free," if given that option. Currently many brands of eye drops are now adding the "gluten-free" claim to their packaging, so it must matter to someone.

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    Mr. Pep'r

     

    On 7/30/2021 at 11:10 AM, Guest Guest Steve said:

    Does it matter? Are you drinking your eye drops? I know of no path connecting the eyes to the digestive system. 

    I do believe there is a path, the eyes and sinuses are connected.

    Do eyes drain into sinuses?

    From the canaliculi, tears drain into the lacrimal sac and then the nasolacrimal duct, emptying into the nasal cavity. This explains why the nose runs when one cries or eyes water excessively.

    ....

    The interconnected nature of the nasolacrimal system. Tears drain through the puncta and canaliculi, and ultimately flow down the throat.

    Open Original Shared Link

    ------------------

    Regarding eyes drops in general, I am guessing some with Celiac have experienced Celiac like reactions after the use of eye drops, myself included.  After a couple of really bad bouts of GI issues I realized it was a result of me over using a particular eye drop to help retrieve contact lenses that shifted to the back of my eye after either rubbing or prolonged dryness. 

    The main ingredient in most eye drops is Polyethylene Glycol, or PEG.  After some quick internet searching I learned that PEG is also a laxative.

    Open Original Shared Link

    PEG is the basis of a number of laxatives....

    Hope my experience and shared links helps those looking for possible answers.

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    Guest Celiac

    Posted

    On 7/30/2021 at 11:10 AM, Guest Guest Steve said:

    Does it matter? Are you drinking your eye drops? I know of no path connecting the eyes to the digestive system. 

    I am an eye doctor and I can tell you that the eye’s lacrimal system drains into the back of the nasal cavity which leads to the back of the throat. Even the small amount of medication in prescription eye drops can have a systemic effect. That is also why many people can taste their eye drops. 

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    cristiana

    That's a really interesting point - in fact, perhaps that's why when I supress tears, my nose gets blocked!

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  • About Me

    Scott Adams

    Scott Adams was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1994, and, due to the nearly total lack of information available at that time, was forced to become an expert on the disease in order to recover. In 1995 he launched the site that later became Celiac.com to help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed so they can begin to live happy, healthy gluten-free lives.  He is co-author of the book Cereal Killers, and founder and publisher of the (formerly paper) newsletter Journal of Gluten Sensitivity. In 1998 he founded The Gluten-Free Mall which he sold in 2014. Celiac.com does not sell any products, and is 100% advertiser supported.


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