Carboxymethylcellulose Eye Drops: A Complete Guide

If you are experiencing dryness and irritation in your eyes, you are not alone. Some lifestyle changes and excessive screen time have contributed to the global prevalence of dry eyes. Carboxymethylcellulose eye drops are also known as sodium carboxymethylcellulose eye drops, or carboxymethylcellulose eye drops IP, have become a dependent solution for many. It gives relief from dryness and irritation in the eyes, and also provides comfort.

In this blog, we will guide you through carboxymethylcellulose eye drops uses, side effects, prevention, and much more.

What is Carboxymethylcellulose Eye Drop?

Carboxymethylcellulose is a lubricant (artificial tears) that approaches the natural wetness of the eyes. It prevents dryness, irritation, and small environmental damages. This acts as an artificial lubricant and does not contain antibiotics. It is an optical lubricant, and it forms moisture.

Some of the common brands include: 

• Refresh liquigel
• Optive
• Veldrop
• Lubistar-CMC
• Ontears
• Eco Tears

Composition of Carboxymethylcellulose Eye Drop

Its primary agent is sodium carboxymethylcellulose, mostly in absorption from 0.5-1%. The “IP” is the Indian Pharmacopoeia that declares the quality as per Indian Standards. The composition of this eye drop includes:

Components	Function	Amount (1 per ml)
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium IP	Operating Agent (as lubricant)	0.5% w/v to 1% w/v
Sodium Chloride	Tonicity agent (for salt balance)	As per the requirement
Potassium Chloride	Electrolyte (guides natural tears)	As per the requirement
Calcium Chloride	Electrolyte (tear support)	As per the requirement
Magnesium Chloride	Electrolyte (improves optic comfort	As per the requirement
Boric Acid	pH stabilizer	As per the requirement
Purified Water IP	Solvent	Q.s. to 1mL
Preservative	Protects against microbial contamination	0,005%-0.01%

Note: Some compositions are preservative-free, particularly those packed in single-use vials for sensitive users.

Carboxymethylcellulose Eye Drop Benefits

There are various benefits of carboxymethylcellulose eye drops. Here are the major benefits:

Relief from Dry Eyes: It provides effective artificial tears to people who are suffering from dryness in their eyes because of not natural tear production.

Comforting Eye Irritation: Helps in getting relief from itching, burning, and irritation from the environmental surroundings, like the sun, wind, and many more.

Helps in Healing: It protects the eye surface and heals the damage after any small injury or eye surgery.

Relief from Computer Vision: Those are work on screens for a long time and having dryness, irritation in the eyes, so it gives relief from it.

Contact Lens: It can be used to enhance the comfort who wear contact lenses by making the eyes moist and decreasing the friction.

Side Effects of Carboxymethylcellulose Eye Drop

For most people, using this eye drop is very well tolerated. Some side effects include: 

• Short-term blurry vision just after applying the eye drop.
• Minor eye irritation, redness, and itching.
• Severe allergies might occur, like swelling and heaving breathing, but rarely.
• In rare cases, eye pain may also occur.

Tip: Most of the side effects are short-term and resolve early, but the continuous discomfort needs a doctor’s advice.

Carboxymethylcellulose Eye Drop: Directions

Here is the dosage and directions on how you should use this eye drop. Here are the important carboxymethylcellulose eye drops uses instructions:

• Always wash your hands before applying it.
• Tilt your head back and apply one eye drop slowly.
• Drop 1-2 eye drops in the affected eye after every 2-3 hours (as advised by your doctor).
• Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes for its effectiveness.
• Do not touch the eye dropper tip to your eye surface.

Safety Measures while using Carboxymethylcellulose Eye Drop

• Do not use the eye drops orally or in any other form.
• If you have any infection, allergy, or injury in the eye or have had eye surgery, then always consult your eye doctor.
• Check the date of expiry before using it.
• If you are using other eye drops, then give them a rest of 10-15 minutes between each.
• If you experience constant pain and changes in vision, then consult your doctor.

Substitutes: Carboxymethylcellulose

Here is the table of substitutes in managing dryness based on medical studies. The other alternatives are given below:

Substitute	Primary Agent	Uses
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Eye Drop	Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose	Optic lubricant
Polyethylene Glycol Eye Drops	Polyethylene glycol 400, propylene glycol	Tear Substitute
Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drop	Sodium hyaluronate	Natural tear component
Polyvinyl Alcohol Eye Drop	Polyvinyl alcohol	Normalise the tear film
Dextran Eye Drop	Dextran 70	Optic lubricant

Conclusion

Carboxymethylcellulose is the most accessible and effective for getting relief from the irritation, dryness, and discomfort in both mild and severe situations. It is safe, easily available, and well endured by most people. In situations where it is not suitable for you, then opt for other substitutes after consulting your doctor.