General FAQs About Systane® and Dry Eye
See our answers to your most frequently asked questions about Systane® and dry eye symptoms below.
General FAQs About Systane® and Dry Eye
See our answers to your most frequently asked questions about Systane® and dry eye symptoms below.
Systane® Ultra PRESERVATIVE-FREE, Systane® Hydration PRESERVATIVE-FREE and Systane® Complete PRESERVATIVE-FREE Lubricant Eye Drops are safe for use with soft contact lenses.*
*Not a rewetting drop.
Yes. Systane® Complete PRESERVATIVE-FREE contains a nano-emulsion of mineral oil and phospholipids that give it a cloudy white appearance. Shake well before use.
No. Systane® eye drops were not involved in the CDC recall of artificial tears. For complete information on the products that were recalled, please visit CDC’s official site.
Systane® offers several different types of eye drops, each designed to address specific eye conditions or provide different levels of relief. Here are the differences between our drop families:
Longest lasting, up to 8 hours of relief
Formulated for: All types of dry eye
Systane® Complete provides our long-lasting relief—clinically proven for up to 8 hours— and provides relief for all major types of dry eye, both aqueous (lack of tear production) and evaporative (often due to MGD, where tears evaporate too quickly due to an inadequate lipid/oil layer in the tear film).
Long-lasting
Formulated for: Aqueous dry eye (lack of tear production)
Systane® Hydration is formulated for immediate, long-lasting relief, it contains hydroxypropyl guar (HP-Guar) to reduce friction and restore natural moisture balance. It also contains hyaluronate (HA) for long-lasting moisture. This product is similar to Systane® Ultra, but longer lasting. It’s a good fit for those recovering from eye surgery like LASIK or cataract surgery.
Formulated for: Aqueous dry eye (lack of tear production)
Systane® Ultra offers temporary relief from dryness, irritation, and discomfort. Hydroxypropyl guar (HP-Guar) helps to reduce friction and restore natural moisture balance. This product is a good fit for aqueous dry eye (lack of tear production).
Formulated for: Evaporative dry eye (lack of tear quality due to low lipid/oil layer in tears)
Systane® Balance is specifically designed for evaporative dry eye, it replenishes the oily component of tears to prevent tear evaporation.
Ask your eye doctor or pharmacist to determine the best Systane eye drop for your needs.
Systane® eye drops are designed for humans. Talk to your vet about canine eye issues before deciding on a treatment that’s right for your pet.
You can use Systane® eye drops to relieve dry eyes during pregnancy. However, you should check with your doctor before using any product or medication during pregnancy.
Yes. Systane® Hydration is a good choice for dry eye drops after LASIK or cataract surgery.
Yes. Systane® eye drops are generally approved for use by adults and children. Please consult your pediatrician to determine which eye drops are right for your child. Check the product packaging for dosage information.
Systane® Zaditor® and Extra Strength Pataday® are both over-the-counter eye drops used to relieve symptoms of itchiness due to eye allergies. While they share similarities, there are some differences between the two:
Systane® Zaditor's active ingredient is ketotifen fumarate, while Extra Strength Pataday's active ingredient is olopatadine hydrochloride and provides longer lasting relief between doses. Systane® Zaditor® is typically for twice-daily dosing, with effects lasting up to 12 hours. On the other hand, Extra Strength Pataday® is used as once a day dosing, providing relief for up to 24 hours.
Also, Systane® Zaditor® is approved for use in children aged 3 years and older, while Extra Strength Pataday® is approved for children aged 2 years and older.
Yes. Systane® products are safe and effective when used as directed. We manufacture our products to exceed customer expectations and meet the highest quality standards using state-of-the-art technology. Alcon is proud to provide the Systane® portfolio of dry eye relief products, the #1 global consumer brand of artificial tears, that are tested and safe for consumers to use.
Yes, Systane® iCaps eye vitamins have been permanently discontinued so that we can focus on products that deliver immediate dry eye symptom relief. We understand that this may be a disappointment to you and we apologize for any inconvenience. We recommend talking to your doctor to find a new option for your eye health vitamin needs.
Retailers may still continue to sell Systane® iCaps eye vitamins until their inventory runs out. Be sure to check packaging for product expiration information.
