Systane and Burning: What Users Say

• Per...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I’ve developed Scleritis as a symptom of lupus, which is an inflammation of the whites of the eye. My doctor said I should try Systane. Today, I just figured I’d try the Systane, although I’m not suffering from the symptom at the moment. My eyes started burning, and I couldn’t keep my eyes open, and had to flush them with water! Terrible product. Definitely informing my doctor. Big waste of money."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I have used Systane for years, but got the new Systane Complete for dry eyes, and it is like putting fire to my eyes. Burns terribly. Idk what is in these that causes this, but it also does my husband's eyes the same way. Will not recommend this one to anyone."

• 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."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Diagnosed with dry eye and blepharitis. Doctor gave me Systane Complete to use for dry eye. It made my eyes burn and very uncomfortable. I threw this stuff away, as anything that makes you that uncomfortable can't be any good. Not going to use Systane products from now on."

• 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."

• Sys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "A year ago, I was given a small bottle sample of Systane for my dry eyes. But I seldom used it, and I observed most of the time my vision is blurry. Recently, after getting a pair of glasses, the optometrist prescribed Systane to me for dry eyes. So I finally bought a twin pack. Been using it on occasional days for 2 weeks and feeling a light burning sensation. On the 3rd week, I used it for 5 days in a row, and on the 3rd day, I started seeing 3-4 gray-black floaters in one eye. On the 5th day, I woke up with too many floaters plus a web-like sticky vision that moves whenever I move my eye from left to right. I went back to the optometrist and relayed about my floaters. She advised me to see an ophthalmologist ASAP. I even asked her maybe it was caused by Systane, and she said no, Systane doesn't cause floaters. But why did I get floaters suddenly after days of using Systane? Why are they prescribing this to people if it causes eye damage? I wish someone would investigate this product."

• Suz...
• April 6, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Side effects horrific. Bloodshot eyes, pain, unbelievable itching that almost had my eye surgery canceled. Ophthalmologist claims it is because only the individual applicators are the only ones that are preservative-free, and that is what caused the adverse terrible effects. What was worse, the skin under my eyes was literally burnt to a crisp after using 1 week. Ultra, gel drops, and nighttime gel all caused the same terrible results. Read carefully what Alcon writes: preservative-free is only in the individual packets."

• Don...
• June 28, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I bought a two-pack of your new complete from my eye doctor, and I used it a few days. Each time, a bad burning in both eyes. Can't use it. I would like to make others aware of this product and for you to figure it out. I switched to TheraTears with no problems."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ouc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Have had dry eye for 15 years. Recently, my eye doctor provided a sample of Systane Complete. My eyes burn when the drops are applied. Continued stickiness in the eye. Redness of the eye. Would not recommend."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "After brief use for occasional dry eyes, I had extremely bad side effects. Tissue around my eyes red, swollen, itchy, burns. No relief since August. Working with doctors. It’s the preservative in this product. Shame on FDA approval for a bad preservative."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I started Systane Complete on March 31. Have had a bad taste in mouth and burning since. Going to try different drops."

• kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2023

For Dry Eye Disease "My doctor prescribed Systane for dry eye disease. Made my eyes burn badly, eye pain, and sticky watering eyes. He then prescribed Restasis, and it has worked wonders. Highly recommend Restasis."

• Ria...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 14, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Causes rebound dry eye, burning, itching, watery eyes."

• Gig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Burns something terrible. Eyes hurt, blurry vision, very red and itchy after use. Do not recommend anyone put this in your eyes."

• Ads...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Systane gel really makes my eyes burn terribly!"

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Only used Systane Complete once, stung then burned. I’m left with sticky feeling eyes that are more irritated than before. I do not recommend using this at all."

• Tho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "Intense burning sensation. I was stunned and worried. But once the burning stopped, it helped to an extent to alleviate the dry eye syndrome."