Prescription eye medication: safe use, buying, and common types

Got a new bottle of prescription eye drops and not sure what to do? Or wondering if it’s OK to order them online? Eye meds are small but powerful—used the wrong way they can sting, cause infection, or make a condition worse. This page gives clear, practical advice on common prescription eye medicines, how to use them, and how to buy them safely.

Common prescription eye medicines you’ll see

Here are the drugs your eye doctor might prescribe and why:

- Latanoprost (Xalatan) and bimatoprost: prostaglandin drops used for glaucoma to lower eye pressure.

- Timolol and other beta-blocker drops: also for glaucoma; they reduce fluid production.

- Brimonidine: lowers pressure and can ease redness in some cases.

- Moxifloxacin (Vigamox) and gatifloxacin: antibiotic eye drops for bacterial infections.

- Azithromycin ophthalmic: antibiotic used for certain conjunctivitis cases.

- Prednisolone acetate and dexamethasone: steroid drops for inflammation—powerful, used short-term under a doctor’s care.

- Cyclosporine (Restasis) and lifitegrast (Xiidra): prescription drops for chronic dry eye that reduce inflammation and increase tear production.

How to use these meds safely and what to watch for

Follow directions exactly. That sounds basic, but timing, dose, and technique matter. Wash your hands, tilt your head back, pull down the lower lid, and drop the medicine into the pocket—avoid touching the bottle tip to your eye. If you wear contacts, check whether the drop needs contact removal first.

Watch side effects: blurred vision, burning, increased redness, or eye pain. If you get severe pain, sudden vision change, or worsening redness, contact your eye doctor now.

Never share eye medications. Bottles can contaminate easily. Replace prescription eye drops after a recommended period—many multi-use bottles should be discarded after 28 days unless the label says otherwise.

Use steroid drops only as prescribed. They can raise eye pressure and cause cataracts if used long-term without monitoring.

Thinking of buying prescription eye meds online? Verify the pharmacy. Choose licensed pharmacies with a visible physical address, pharmacist contact, and positive reviews. You should always need a valid prescription. Beware of sites that sell prescription drops without a prescription—those products may be fake or unsafe.

Check shipping and storage. Some drops need stable temperatures. If a package arrives very hot or cold, call the pharmacy or your doctor before using the medicine.

Questions for your provider: how long to use the drops, any interactions with other meds, and when to return for a check-up. Simple follow-up can prevent big problems.

Eye meds work best when used correctly and safely. If anything feels off, ask your eye doctor or a licensed pharmacist—don’t guess.