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Systane Ultra User Reviews & Ratings

Systane Ultra has an average rating of 2.0 out of 10 from a total of 26 reviews on Drugs.com. 10% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 84% reported a negative experience.

Condition Avg. Rating Reviews Compare
Dry Eye Disease  
2.0
26 reviews for Dry Eye Disease 155 medications
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Reviews for Systane Ultra

  • Jude
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 30, 2023

For Dry Eye Disease "The product itself seems ok, but I have to apply many times during the day. The new bottle is the problem. The top is basically flat so it is impossible to direct it into the eye in a way that it doesn’t spill all over. My problem with this is the waste and let’s face it , this stuff is expensive! I’m not buying this again….it just ends up running down my cheek. Whose dumb idea was the flat top? Is it so we have to buy more product? Not falling for that one."

4 / 10
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19 Report
  • Post...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 7, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Switched to Systane Ultra, applied drops several times a day. The drops burned occasionally and caused slightly blurred vision for a brief period after application. After 2 weeks began to suddenly present symptoms of vertigo, dizziness and nausea. The first episode lasted 20 hours. After a visit to my cardiologist due to an existing condition it turns out that the vertigo could be a side effect - and “dizziness” is listed in the product literature. Will stop using and switch to another preservative free brand."

3 / 10
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25 Report
  • fuctu...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 13, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Good lord. How can you market a product to cure dry eyes which does the complete opposite? Isn't that fraud? The makers of this stuff better watch out for a class action lawsuit because this stuff is awful and the company is guilty of false advertising. Have used for only one day and my eyes are getting worse by the minute. They feel dry, sticky and sore. Not the least bit moisturized! Just decided to discontinue."

1 / 10
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20 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 28, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Used Systane Ultra after cataract surgery with devastating consequences. Only just made the connection between my red very painful eyes and Systane Ultra. Stopped using it today and guess what..no pain. I have been in agony for weeks with this product."

1 / 10
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19 Report
  • Mama...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 14, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Purchase Systane and new bottles were half empty and the label hides the half filled bottle. It's very misleading. Will never buy again and will look for another brand since there are a lot of other options. No one likes to be fooled no matter if it's effective. It's not that much better than other brands to justify getting deceived."

1 / 10
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10 Report

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  • JAV
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 2, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I have Macular degeneration & dry eye and have used Systane for years. I happened to pick up Systane Ultra the last time. The edge of my eyelids were constantly itchy. Thinking it was something I was allergic to since I had recently moved, I continued to use them. One morning, for whatever reason, I didn’t do my usual eye drop routine. Later that morning I realized I wasn’t rubbing my eyes. My “aha moment”! I didn’t use the Ultra drops again!"

1 / 10
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12 Report
  • grandma
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 9, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I used the previous formula systane with no problems but this new formula burns my eyes. I switched to Genteal and what a relief to my sore eyes. Both made by alcon so I don't know what the problem is but the ultra version hurts"

2 / 10
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8 Report
  • Cesar...
  • October 26, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "Bought these today for dry eyes and soon as I put them in I felt the worst eye stinging I have ever felt! Horrible! Boric acid??? I want my money back and a good explanation as to why they hurt my eyes!!"

1 / 10
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7 Report
  • sjp
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 1, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I bought Systane Ultra yesterday due to supposed accolades of doctors. Used it once. Eyes became increasingly red. That night all lights had halos (maybe the viscosity of the fluid?) Eyes burned when I tried to read. I read the reviews to see if any others were having similar side effects. They were. I washed my eyes with a warm baby shampoo solution last night to start ridding my eyes of the residuals. They are better this morning. Unfortunately, the experience and the experience of others have left me skeptical of Alcon products, or at least this one."

1 / 10
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7 Report
  • Birdg...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 30, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I started taking Systane Ultra for dry eye, and my eyes got so red and irritated, I had to quit using it. My vision became very blurry and my eyes both really hurt. I am convinced it was preservatives in them that caused my problem. I will never use these again. I hope my eyes get better soon."

1 / 10
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7 Report
  • geroguy
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 23, 2018

"I started with regular Systane, but after a few months it was simply not enough to remedy my dry eyes, so I segued over to Ultra, which was great for a number of years. Now I don't know what changed, but the Ultra started leaving a hard crust in my eyelashes and under my eyes on the skin––kinda like sleep-sand mixed with glue. And you can't simply rub it out of your eyes; this stuff has to be picked off piece by piece. I don't know what caused this (it's only been this bad since I moved from Southern to Northern California about a year ago), but if anyone knows of a substitute, I'd be grateful for your input."

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9 Report
  • Jkano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 9, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Dr told me to use this 2 times a day for dry eyes every 12 hrs 1st day it seemed to help had a bad headache 2nd and 3rd day by 4th day my right hurt and was so irritated and my eyes were so blurry after reading these reviews. I stopped the Systane. My eyes are still bothering me but I’m 100% sure my eyes are more blurry and irritated then they were. These drops might help some people but I wish I would have never used them"

1 / 10
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7 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 19, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Crazy. My eye dr pushed these eye drops so hard and using these eye drops made my eyes dryer and dryer. It took 2.5 years to discover that I should use preservative free eye drops instead —because low and behold I was allergic to the regular drops! The reg drops caused more inflammation which interfered with My normal tear production. Thousands of dollars later, a lot of pain and suffering, two ulcers on my left eye and it was the office receptionist that suggested I try preservative free eye drops! And, within a couple of weeks my devastating dry eye symptoms were gone."

1 / 10
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4 Report
  • CPA...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 21, 2015

For Eye Redness "My ophthalmologist recommended Systane for dry eyes, so I tried them out. Though the compound does lubricate reasonably well, it is so viscous that it tends to cause burring for awhile before the eyes start clearing up. Hence, the only time I can use them without being forced to deal with that nuisance effect is before I go to sleep. Any other recommendations?"

7 / 10
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10 Report
  • Lau
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 29, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "Been using Systane Ultra for 6 days for my dry eyes and I didn’t feel any of the beneficial effects of the drops. It actually made it worse. My eyes got too sticky and after 5 min went dry again. Now I have this burning sensation and decided to see the reviews and realize Systane is the problem. Will stop using it and hope my eyes get better!!"

1 / 10
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5 Report
  • Andrew...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 19, 2023

For Dry Eye Disease "I didn't connect it to the drops but I have had burning, redness, blurring vision, and floaters since I started using Systane Ultra. I got a new prescription for glasses as I thought my eyesight had changed. I will stop using it today. I have been using this product for the last 6 months so hope no permanent damage has been done. Avoid. MHRA should also look into the product."

1 / 10
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2 Report
  • Tracy...
  • August 6, 2017

"Bought this because the eye Dr recommended it and since I started using it my eye is worse then ever...watering nonstop, puffy, redness, and blurry vision. Today is so bad I can't even see clearly to drive! I work in the medical field and I will be telling everyone I can!!!"

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8 Report
  • Did...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 19, 2017

"I purchased Systane Ultra by Alcon a couple of days ago. It did not help my dry and red eyes. I made my eyes itch worse than ever, they were really red too. It might have something to do with the preservative used, I don't know for sure. I went back to using Oculac by Alcon instead, it seems it has the same manufacturer but it is cheaper and a little thinner."

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • Matty...
  • October 17, 2016

"I was advised to use the Systane Ultra by my optom, but the irritiation it caused and splitting and crusting of the skin around my eyes has been unbearable. The skin around my eyes is itchy and crusty and splitting at the corners. My vision is blurred and worse for using it. It will take a few days to settle down it seems but I wont be using it again!"

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • TexLa
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 31, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Although Systane Ultra helped to relieve my dry eyes after using for several days I began experiencing eye pain which got worse as I continued to use the product. Once I stopped using it the pain went away. Some months later I tried again and after about 3 days the same thing happened again."

3 / 10
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6 Report
  • Pisces
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 10, 2016

"Opthomologist stated that my mother's vision was good for her age; she prescribed this medicine for dry eyes (she never complained about her eyes) but l went along with what the Doctor said. After a fews weeks now it's been about two years.. into that time frame and henceforth l noticed the redness and creamy like substance in eye.. I thought it was normal the nurse use to say pink eye.. I said are you sure the tip is not touching her Iris? making her eye red. To this day it still does the same thing l have yet to relay to the Dr. I just thought when she does her eye exam she would notice. So l too now believe there are side effects with use and prolonged use. I will let you know."

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7 Report
  • Jenny
  • September 25, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Almost from the beginning my eyes felt better for a few days but on third day noticed my eyes stay swollen, red, began to have headaches, crust around my eyes, and now I can’t see as well so I have to have stronger eyeglasses. Also noticed the outer rim around my iris continues to thicken. These drops are horrible and I do not recommend them to anyone and they should be taken off the market."

1 / 10
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3 Report
  • Lorra...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 13, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Prescribe for red dry irritated eyes been using as prescribed disappointed with results blurred vision and slight head ache. Found that it had crystallised in the corner of my eye. Not going to use them from here on very expensive normal saline would do."

2 / 10
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3 Report
  • voodo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 15, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I started systane ultra on the advise of my opthomologist for dry eye and blurry vision, after cataract and lasik surgery. Noticed that my eyes were really itchy, but I kept using Systane and thought maybe it was just allergies. I stopped using it and sure enough the itchiness stopped. Not using it anymore."

1 / 10
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3 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 28, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "My eyelashes started to fall out after only two tries, and it caused me a mental breakdown. I couldn’t get out of bed nor sleep afraid that something was wrong with me, but turns out it was the drops all along."

1 / 10
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2 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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