Systane and Itching: What Users Say

• Sta...
• August 13, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I have tried Systane a couple of times before, which was doctor-recommended. This time I tried Systane Complete, and my eye became very irritated and itchy. I first thought that I may have gotten dust in my eyes until using it one last time, and my eyes began itching badly. I have discontinued using this product. The numbers on the bottle are #308314F, with an expiration date of 05/2020 and also another number under the label #H15175-0418. I did not see a contact number, so I'm leaving this comment."

• GSC...
• September 21, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I have dry eye, and I used Refresh gel and liquid, that worked for me. However, a friend told me to switch to Systane, and I notice that my eyes keep getting drier by the day. I woke up with my eyes red and feeling like there was sand in my eyes, and very itchy all through the day. I decided to go back to Refresh two days ago, and my problems went away. I will never use anything but Refresh again. Systane damages your eyes, in my opinion."

• Nad...
• January 20, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "My eye doctor suggested to try Systane Complete. I was happy to try new Systane. However, it caused severe itchiness of my eyes. It doesn't help me at all. Just wasted my money. I recommend first to try a sample. Not to be in a situation in which I am. I am very disappointed."

• Anonymous
• July 15, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Horrible, horrible product. After a week of use, my eyes became extremely irritated, itchy, puffy, and just all around uncomfortable. Eyes would feel good for 1-2 hours after use, but then feel horrible, more dry, and worse than before. Definitely some sort of rebound effect."

• Get...
• July 7, 2013

For Eye Redness "Have been using SYSTANE on and off for a few weeks and have experienced severe redness, swelling, and itching around my eyes. Couldn't figure out at first what was causing it, so narrowed it down to this product and made note when I used it. Sure enough, SYSTANE seemed to be the cause. While using this eye gel and naturally blinking after it is placed in my eyes, some gel gets onto the surrounding skin around the eyes, and it has caused the redness, itching, and swelling. So, be aware of this side effect."

• 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."

• car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "My optometrist suggested I use Systane Ultra in the evening to try to ease my mild dry eye issues. She suggested that we do not produce tears while sleeping and these were more long-lasting than the usual eye drops used for dry eyes. I immediately noticed my eyes were drier and itchier than normal. I would not recommend these drops, have discarded them, and have informed my optometrist of my experience."

• ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Two years after an 'outbreak' of dry eye had come and gone, I went to the eye Dr. inquiring about LASEK, and long story short, she told me I should start and continue using eye drops because my dry eye could flare up again, etc., etc. For whatever reason, I listened to this stupid advice and started using Systane, even though I would normally think, 'Why treat it if it's not even a problem?' Well, the first day of using Systane, my dry eye symptoms all came back, and I've been dealing with full-blown dry eye, tearing like crazy, raw in the corner of my eye, and eyelashes falling out from constant moisture and itching all night. THANKS, DOC.! and Systane."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2023

For Dry Eye Disease "After using Systane, my eyes have been hyper-sensitive to light, itchy, angry, and red. They are also crusted shut when I wake in the morning. Systane is one product to never, ever buy."

• 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."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Not a great experience... felt good initially, but my dry eyes became red, itchy, and felt like there was sand in them. Would not recommend."