Are preservatives harmful to health?

Preservatives in eye drops can potentially be harmful, particularly if they are used frequently. According to Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg, prolonged exposure to some preservative chemicals can be irritating or even inflammatory to the ocular surface of the eyes. Therefore, for individuals using eye drops regularly, it is recommended to use preservative-free artificial tears. These preservative-free options are deemed safer for long-term use and are designed to prevent bacterial contamination without causing additional irritation 1 .