Systane and Blurred Vision: What Users Say

• Old...
• February 7, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "Systane Side Effects. Possibly the preservative. I could not see to drive at night. - Blurred vision - Eye redness or discomfort or other irritation not present before use of this medicine - Increased sensitivity of eyes to light - Matting or stickiness of eyelashes - Swelling of eyelids - Watering of eyes"

• Dal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I have recently started using this to help with eye lubrication from mild dry eye. I have used Refresh in the past & recommended this too many patients over the years. This product (Systane) has made my eyes burn TERRIBLY! This has led to blurry vision & headache. I will not be using this & cannot in good conscience (based on my own & many others' experiences) recommend this to anyone else either."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "My eye doctor gave me Systane drops to use for dry eye. About two weeks later, my vision became very blurry, and when I looked at anything digital, it was double and triple vision. After a complete eye exam, it was determined my retina and optic nerve were fine. The only thing he could come up with was at a microscopic level, the cells of the cornea might be having some inflammation. In the meantime, I switched to Refresh Tears. About three months later, my blurriness was getting somewhat better. I went out of town and forgot my eye drops. My friend had her Systane drops with her, (I still hadn't connected the dots yet), so I used them. The following week, my blurry vision was back just as bad as it originally had been! There is no doubt that it is caused by the Systane product."

• Lyr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "For dry eyes, using the Systane gel drops at bedtime, and comparing to Refresh or Blink gels, I notice a definite burn, possibly the preservative. The worst is that my sight is blurred like a Vaseline coat after using-can’t see/focus at all for over an hour to set the clock or read. Other gel drops equalize in 5 minutes or less. Second worst, my lashes are stuck together in the morning, so just to open my eyes, I probably pull out lashes. My eyes feel slightly better the next day after the gel on lashes is showered off, but still mostly unacceptable for me."

• Ida...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "My doctor suggested using Systane 4 times a day for dry eyes. After the second dose, I felt terrible, my eye was tearing nonstop and had burning and stinging sensations as if there were sand rubbing against the eye. The eye became very red, very sensitive to light, and the vision was very blurred, feeling like a white fog covering the eyesight! I stopped it right away, and it feels much better. I read the leaflet that came with it, and it stated that these symptoms and lots more were side effects of this drug."

• Adi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

"I suffer from repetitive corneal erosion, used Systane drops and gel just before bed in my right eye only, as recommended by my optometrist. I started noticing I was getting headaches that required pain relief. What concerned me most was a throbbing down the side of my head. My eye sockets ached, vision became more blurred, and the floaters were far worse. I stopped the product after 3 days and will never use it again after reading the other reviews. I was interested to see that it caused migraines in other people."

• RGM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "The optometrist said to try this Systane for dry eye and blurry vision. Did not help blurry vision (I'm diabetic). Stung badly in one eye, and now have a small pimple in the corner of the eye. Also experiencing unusually large and more visual floaties. Also experiencing a different kind of floaty, like about 1/4 of my eye has an area of very blurry vision that floats in the left eye. Also experiencing random, white streaks flashing in the dark, even when eyes are closed, like a lightning strike at the edge of the left eye. Most of these cleared up 3 days after stopping Systane. Will report to the optometrist."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Cataract surgeon gave me a bottle of Systane to use before cataract surgery. I've been on it for two days and started getting blurry vision. Have you read the ingredients? Boric acid and hydrochloric acid!!"

• Czx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Use it to clear my dry eyes and thought it's doing good. But no... I am experiencing blurred vision now. Reading all the reviews, I have proven it is from the use of this Systane Balance eye drop. So sad... instead of helping my eyes, it made it worse."

• Jen...
• September 23, 2015

For Eye Redness "Was prescribed this for dry eyes by optometrist, told to use twice daily. Ever since 1st use, eyes stung and got extremely red, vision got worse, blurry vision, redness, itchy, and sensitivity to light. Did not realize it was this until I stopped use. Was told to use every 2 hours, and vision was getting worse. This product did not work for me."

• Lif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2016

"I recently went in for an eye exam and was told my eyes were dry. The optometrist told me to start using Systane Ultra a few times a day. In the first 4 days of use, I've noticed my vision blurred and my contacts bothering me substantially. I've been using the same brand of contacts for years, and nothing else has changed, so it has to be the drops."

• Dam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "I had a routine eye appointment with an optometrist yesterday (Saturday), and he recommended Systane Ultra. I used it twice and can no longer see through my glasses - everything is blurry (Sunday) 24 hours later. I'm not using it again, and I'm going to go see an ophthalmologist tomorrow. I'm worried it damaged my vision; I hope it goes back to normal."

• Hap...
• April 24, 2017

"I used Systane eye drops for my dry eye, and right away noticed that my vision was blurry, so I stopped using them. At the same time, my eyelashes on both eyes fell out. I was puzzled more about the lashes than anything, as it was very concerning. My eyelashes grew back in about 2 months, and one morning I grabbed what I thought was my rewetting drops, only it was the Systane. I put it in one eye when I immediately realized that I used the wrong bottle, and guess what.....in about 2 days, my eyelashes in the eye I used the Systane fell out again!!! Very upset about this!! I threw the bottle in the trash, which is what I should have done in the first place...."

• do...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 12, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "It took me long enough to notice what the culprit was and thought I should warn others. A few years back, I started using Systane for dry eye comfort, and my left eye got extremely blurry and would not clear. It took months to clear after I stopped using the product, then I was diagnosed with cataracts and had cataract surgery. My eyesight was never so clear until I tried Systane again … guess what? My vision in the same eye got blurred, so I went to see my doctor, who told me laser surgery will clear it… fast forward, COVID hit, so six months passed and it cleared by itself after six months. Not realizing that Systane is the culprit, I used it again two months ago … guess what? Complete blurry vision in my left eye again for two months now and going … I don’t see how they haven’t been in a class action lawsuit yet for blinding people!!!!! Stay far away from this product."

• SBe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I’ve only used these drops a few times for my dry eyes, as the doc recommended, but what I find is they seem like they are just “sitting on top” of my eye without actually absorbing for a long time. Does not feel hydrating, more like irritating. I don’t have any problems with itching or burning, but they do seem to make my eyes blurrier after I put them in for quite a while, and my eyes will not focus as well. Last night, when I was driving home at night after using these about an hour prior to that, it was harder to see and the lights had more of a halo effect. I have had much better luck with simple artificial tear drops."

• pre...
• January 8, 2023

For Dry Eye Disease "I only used Systane for 3 days for mild blepharitis. It caused blurriness and extremely pronounced puffiness under the eyes (with a red vein very pronounced). It also caused a migraine. Over-the-counter allergy pills seem to have a better effect on relieving most of the symptoms. Will not use it again."

• MTO...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 15, 2013

For Eye Redness "Systane (long-lasting) makes my eyes blurry, and they stay blurry for quite a long time. However, Systane Ultra is just terrific. I have been using it for glaucoma with dry eyes for a couple of years now and find that it relaxes my eyes as well as moisturizes them. The Systane (long-lasting) was purchased in error. Went back and got the Systane Ultra again, and all is great. I highly recommend it for dry eye problems."

• Pal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Started using Systane Complete after the pharmacist recommended it to help with the sudden appearance of floaters. I made an appointment with an optometrist a week away. I started getting light streaks that night after two doses, but I didn't make the connection. Blurry vision as well. I thought it had something to do with the floaters. After a week, I had a complete retinal scan and eye test and was all clear. Nothing wrong. The floaters were normal. I mentioned the light streaks, and he said to keep watch for them, but he could see no reason for them. I did not mention I was using Systane. On a whim, I decided to look up the side effects. I was shocked and somewhat relieved that others had the same symptoms...light streaks and blurry vision. Sweet Jesus! This stuff is dangerous! I threw it out...and hope the light streaks stop."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "My eye doctor prescribed Systane for dry eye. I started using the product right after my exam, once a day, and since then I had issues with my eyes. Some kind of dizziness, sensitivity to light, and some eventual blurry vision and pain in the back of my eyes, it came and went. I went back to the doctor after one week to check what was going on, as I did not present any of those symptoms before the eye exam. The eye doctor said that I was not using the drops enough times a day. So, I used them more. But I started noticing that weird sensation in my eyes after I used them, like very heavy eyes that would last for hours. So I started to decrease the use of the drops, and my eyes seemed to be getting better, but I still have the heaviness that comes from time to time. So I started to research because I have been dealing with this for almost a month, and by reading these reviews, I am almost sure it is the drops. I am not using them anymore. Thank God it was not such a long time."

• LL6...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 7, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "I actually just did a search, “Systane causing grainy residue,” and I was shocked to find that other people have had side effects from these drops. I have also experienced worsened itching, burning, and blurred vision. I will not use these. I will inform the optometrist who recommended it."

• Roc...
• June 27, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Has severe dry eyes and my eye doctor recommended the Systane Gel Eye drops - they were uncomfortable at first to use as they seemed to make my vision a bit blurry and eyelashes sticky, but prior to using them, my eye doctor had warned me of this and recommended taking it once only before bed instead. It's a medication that isn't really supposed to be used long-term and multiple times a day (I've seen other comments where people have apparently been told to use them 4 times a day for 4 weeks, which sounds very excessive...). All in all, Systane worked well for me as I didn't use it frequently as per my eye doctor's recommendation. It would be blurry and a bit 'sticky' before bed, but in the morning my eyes did feel less scratchy, and I supplemented these with other single-use eyedrops during the day to keep my eyes nice and wet. So far so good! I've been told to use it for only two weeks and no more than that, so one more week to go and no real ill effects so far."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "I have allergies, and my eyes get itchy, so I thought I would try Systane to soothe my irritated eyes. When I put a drop in each eye, my eyes became blurred over, and I could not see! As it dissipated some, I could not longer read the information on the box! It damaged my eyes! I flushed my eyes out three times with water, and it still didn’t help! They felt itchy and sticky. That evening, my right eye had a lump that appeared on my lower lid, which is still there! And my eyesight from the eye drops on Friday is still not back to normal! How can a company produce a product that is not safe to use? I am going to call my attorney!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "Started using Systane on the advice of an optometrist. It seemed to make my eyes burn, but I was under the impression that it was fairly benign medication. After a few months of using it periodically, it has become obvious to me that Systane has been the cause of my blurry vision and eye irritation. I woke up with some bad floaters and thought that it was the beginning of a retinal detachment. Kind of scary, and I don't know if it can be attributed to the use of Systane, but I can tell you that I will not use it anymore. You make your own decisions, but I would not advise its use."

• Blo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "My doctor recommended these drops to cure my dry eyes. After about 5 or 6 hours (3 p.m. - 9 p.m.), I noticed a blood clot in my right eye, my dominant eye. I experienced blurred vision, also. I admit I put more than the two drops (maybe 3 or 4) per directions. But I've done the same with other eye drops as well and had no adverse side effects. I cannot recommend this brand to anyone, use with caution if you must!"

• Tul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "I started using Systane for dry eyes about 6 weeks ago. The last two weeks, I have not been using them as religiously, but 4/5 weeks ago, I started noticing a difference in vision in my right eye. Especially when light hits my eye when watching TV, etc. I have blurred vision in my right eye and cloudy streaks appearing. I am shocked and only connected the dots right now after looking at reviews online. I am really angry that these drops were prescribed. If any optometrist actually did some Googling, they would know these drops are dangerous to prescribe to their patients."