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General
Blink® eye and lens drops are ocular lubricants indicated for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with dry eye, including dryness, irritation, burning, and discomfort due to environmental stressors or reduced tear film stability, as well as to lubricate and rewet soft (hydrophilic) and rigid gas permeable contact lenses and to help relieve dryness, discomfort and irritation that may be associated with lens wear and to cushion lenses by placing a drop on the lens prior to application on the eye.
Blink® eye and lens drops are formulated to supplement the tear film and improve ocular surface and contact lens comfort. Depending on the product, Blink® formulations may emphasize tear film stabilization, enhanced viscosity, or preservative‑free delivery.
Certain Blink® eye and lens drops are preservative‑free, typically packaged in single‑use vials or advanced multi‑dose systems. Preservative‑free options may be especially appropriate for patients with ocular surface disease, preservative sensitivity, or individuals requiring frequent instillation.
Preservative-free Blink® drops include:
- Blink® Triple Care Preservative Free
- Blink® Boost Preservative Free
- Blink® Tears Preservative Free
Blink® eye and lens drops may be appropriate for patients with:
- Mild to moderate dry eye symptoms
- Evaporative or mixed‑mechanism dry eye
- Digital eye strain
- Environmental exposure
- Contact lens-associated discomfort (where labeled)
Preservative‑free Blink® eye and lens drops may be considered for ocular lubrication at the clinician’s discretion and in accordance with post‑operative protocols.
Certain Blink® drops formulations are labeled for use with contact lenses, including instillation before lens insertion or during wear. Clinicians should confirm compatibility based on the specific product.
For use with contact lenses:
- Blink Contacts® Lubricating Eye Drops
- Blink-N-Clean®
Contact lens-friendly *based on International Organization for Standardization testing, not a contact lens rewetting drop.
- Blink® Boost Preservative Free
Blink® eye and lens drops may be used as needed, typically one to four drops per eye. Preservative-free formulations may be used more frequently, including multiple times per day, based on patient symptoms and as directed by an eye care professional.
Blink® eye and lens drops are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulations.
Yes. Blink® eye and lens drops are suitable for both recommendation and in‑office dispensing, particularly when offering patients an over-the-counter option for dry eye relief.
Yes. Blink® eye and lens drops are available in multiple formulations. Selection should be based on:
- Severity and etiology of dry eye or contact lens dryness
- Need for preservative‑free dosing
- Contact lens wear
- Patient sensitivity and lifestyle factors
Back to TopBlink® Eye Drops
Blink® Triple Care Preservative Free
Blink® Triple Care Preservative Free is an over-the-counter lubricating eye drop for the temporary relief of burning, irritation, and discomfort due to dry eye or environmental exposure, and for use as a protectant against further irritation. It is formulated without preservatives and delivered in a sterile multi-dose system.
Explore Blink® Triple Care Preservative Free
Blink® Triple Care Preservative Free removes preservatives while maintaining the 3‑in‑1 extended‑relief profile (instant soothing, long‑lasting hydration, and moisture retention). This makes it more suitable for patients with preservative sensitivity or frequent, daily dosing needs.
Active ingredient:
- Polyethylene glycol 400 0.25% (lubricant)
Key inactive ingredients:
- Sodium hyaluronate
- Castor oil
- Polyoxyl‑40 hydrogenated castor oil
- Boric acid
- Electrolytes
- Purified water
This combination supports lubrication, tear film stability, and moisture retention.
Blink® Triple Care Preservative Free is designed to:
- Instantly soothe the ocular surface
- Provide extra‑long‑lasting hydration
- Help reduce tear evaporation through a dual‑action moisture‑seal approach
This makes it particularly relevant for evaporative or mixed‑mechanism dry eye.
Blink® Triple Care Preservative Free may be appropriate for patients with:
- Moderate to severe dry eye symptoms
- Frequent artificial tear use (≥4x/day)
- Known or suspected preservative sensitivity
- Chronic ocular surface disease requiring long‑term lubrication
- Post‑operative dry eye support as directed by an eye care professional
Per labeling, instill 1–2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed, or as directed by an eye care professional.
Patients should be advised to discontinue use and seek evaluation if they experience:
- Eye pain
- Changes in vision
- Persistent redness or irritation
- Symptoms lasting longer than 72 hours
Blink® Triple Care Preservative Free may be considered for post‑operative lubrication, particularly when minimizing preservative exposure is desired, in accordance with surgeon protocols.
Active ingredient:
- Polyethylene glycol 400 0.25% — ocular lubricant
Inactive ingredients:
- Boric acid
- Castor oil
- Polyoxyl‑40 hydrogenated castor oil
- Potassium chloride
- Purified water
- Sodium borate
- Sodium chloride
- Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid)
Blink® Triple Care
Blink® Triple Care is an over-the-counter lubricating eye drop for moderate to severe dry eye symptoms, formulated to provide extra-long‑lasting hydration and tear film support for patients with persistent ocular surface discomfort.
Explore Blink® Triple Care Lubricating Eye Drops
Blink® Triple Care is designed to address multiple contributors to dry eye discomfort, including tear film instability and surface dehydration, by delivering sustained lubrication and moisture retention over time.
Blink® Triple Care may be appropriate for patients with:
- Moderate to severe dry eye symptoms
- Frequent breakthrough symptoms with standard artificial tears
- Screen‑intensive or visually demanding lifestyles
- Environmental or occupational exposure contributing to dryness
For patients presenting with moderate symptoms at baseline, Blink® Triple Care may be considered as an initial over-the-counter lubricant rather than starting with non-lipid/non-gel artificial tears.
Blink® Triple Care is typically dosed 1 to 2 drops per eye as needed, based on symptom severity and patient response.
Yes. Blink® Triple Care is suitable for daily use and may be used multiple times per day as required for symptom relief, following labeled instructions.
As with all lubricating drops, patients should be advised to discontinue use and seek evaluation if you experience eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye, or condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours.
Blink® Triple Care may be considered for post‑procedural lubrication (eg, cataract or refractive surgery), at the clinician’s discretion and in alignment with post‑operative care protocols.
Active ingredient:
- Polyethylene glycol 400 0.25%—ocular lubricant
Inactive ingredients:
- Boric acid
- Castor oil
- PEG‑40 hydrogenated castor oil
- Potassium chloride
- Purified water
- Sodium borate
- Sodium chloride
- Sodium chlorite (OcuPure®)—preservative
- Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid)
Clinical note:
OcuPure® is a vanishing preservative that breaks down into natural tear components on the ocular surface. Sodium chlorite, when exposed to light, breaks down into water, oxygen, and sodium/chloride ions.2
Blink® Tears Lubricating Eye Drops (Mild-to-Moderate Dry Eye)
Blink® Tears is positioned for mild to moderate dry eye symptoms, providing lubrication and hydration to supplement the tear film.
- Intermittent dry eye symptoms
- Dry eye symptoms due to environmental exposure
- Patients new to over-the-counter lubricating eye drops
Blink® Tears Preservative Free (Mild–Moderate Dry Eye)
This product offers the same mild–moderate dry eye symptom relief in a preservative‑free formulation.
- Patients using drops ≥4x/day
- Ocular surface disease
- Post‑operative lubrication
- Known preservative sensitivity
Blink GelTears® Lubricating Eye Drops (Moderate–Severe Dry Eye)
Blink GelTears® use a more viscous gel formulation designed for moderate to severe dry eye symptoms and longer ocular surface residence time.
- Persistent symptoms despite standard artificial tears
- Nighttime or extended‑duration relief needs
- Patients tolerating brief post‑instillation blur
Yes. Patients should be counseled about temporary visual blur due to the formulation’s viscosity.
Blink® Triple Care Lubricating Eye Drops (Moderate–Severe Dry Eye)
Blink® Triple Care is intended for moderate to severe dry eye, offering up to 10 hours of hydration and tear film support.
- Patients with frequent breakthrough symptoms
- Patients with screen‑intensive lifestyles
- Those needing longer relief between doses
Blink® Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops (Contact Lens Wear)
Blink® Contacts is specifically labeled for use with soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses to relieve dryness during wear.
- Before lens insertion
- During lens wear for dryness or discomfort
Blink® Boost Preservative Free Lubricating Eye Drops
Blink® Boost is a preservative‑free, contact‑lens‑friendly lubricant designed for immediate and long-lasting hydration in patients with dry eye symptoms.
Blink® NutriTears®
Curcumin (from turmeric extract)
Curcumin is a bioactive compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It serves as a key ingredient that helps address inflammation, an underlying contributor to dry eye symptoms, by reducing proinflammatory cytokines in corneal epithelial cells. As a result, curcumin supports more stable and consistent tear production.3,4
Lutein
Lutein is a carotenoid antioxidant naturally found in the macula. It helps protect eyes from oxidative stress caused by light exposure and environmental factors. In dry eye formulations, lutein supports tear film quality and contributes to ocular surface health.5,6
Zeaxanthin
Zeaxanthin works synergistically with lutein as a powerful antioxidant. It helps maintain ocular health and supports visual performance while also playing a role in protecting cells involved in tear production. Together, lutein and zeaxanthin are key nutrients that support ocular health.5,6
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
Vitamin D plays an important role in immune regulation and ocular surface homeostasis. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with dry eye symptoms in some individuals. Vitamin D3 is included to support ocular surface integrity and healthy tear function.7-9
Blink® NutriTears® was designed to take a multi‑modal approach10*§:
- Reduces oxidative stress by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines in corneal epithelial cells (curcumin)3,4
- Protects ocular tissue from oxidative stress (lutein & zeaxanthin)5,6
- Supports tear production and ocular surface health (vitamin D3 & omega 3)7-9
This combination was formulated to help tears stay on the eye longer, reduce reliance on artificial drops, and promote continuous relief.10
Blink® NutriTears®: Multi pathway approach10*§
Blink® NutriTears® is formulated to target multiple root contributors of dry eyes. Its core active ingredients include curcumin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin D3.10 This formulation reflects current understanding of dry eye: it is often driven by oxidative stress, tear film instability, and ocular surface dysfunction, not a single deficiency.11
Traditional omega-3 supplements: Lipid focused11
- Most conventional dry eye supplements rely primarily on eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid omega‑3s (usually from fish oil). Their main goals are to11:
- Improve meibomian gland function
- Reduce tear evaporation
- Support tear film lipid layer stability
- These products largely focus on one pathway: meibomian lipid support
Mechanism of action: How Blink® NutriTears® works10
Blink® NutriTears® is formulated with ingredients that work together across several mechanisms to support the ocular surface*:
- Curcumin helps address ocular inflammation, a recognized driver of dry eye symptoms*
- Lutein and zeaxanthin protect ocular tissue from oxidative stress, supporting sustained ocular surface health*
- Vitamin D3 supports immune balance and epithelial integrity on the eye surface*
Omega 3 supplements: Tear film lipid optimization11
Traditional omega 3 supplements primarily:
- Modify fatty acid composition of tear film oils
- Help reduce evaporative dry eye, especially in meibomian gland dysfunction
- Offer anti‑inflammatory effects via eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid
However, they generally do not directly address oxidative stress or vitamin deficiencies related to dry eye.
Blink® NutriTears® provides broader dry eye support, making it better suited for complex or persistent dry eye.*
Traditional omega-3 supplements primarily support the lipid layer of the tear film, offering more limited, indirect anti-inflammatory benefits and are best suited for evaporative dry eye (eg, meibomian gland dysfunction).
Blink® NutriTears® is supported by an 8-week randomized, double masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in individuals with dry eye symptoms.10 This study design is considered a gold standard for evaluating supplement effectiveness.
Key outcomes reported10*§:
- Improvements in tear production
- ~33% longer tear retention time on the ocular surface (vs placebo)
- Reduction in dry eye symptoms, including discomfort and irritation
Yes. Blink® NutriTears® has been tested for quality, correct dosage, and ingredient accuracy. It is manufactured by Bausch + Lomb in facilities that follow current Good Manufacturing Practices to ensure product consistency and purity. The commercial dose (one softgel daily by mouth) was used in the randomized, placebo-controlled trials, which met key endpoints including tear production, symptom improvement, and tear film stability, supporting real-world dosage accuracy. Ingredient safety and effectiveness were evaluated in US and international studies, with no serious adverse events reported and only one mild event (nasal bleeding) reported.
Blink® NutriTears® has been evaluated in two prospective, randomized, double masked, placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted in both the United States and India, with study durations of 8 weeks.10,12
Key safety findings across trials10,12:
- No serious adverse events reported
- High tolerability comparable to placebo
- No clinically meaningful ocular or systemic safety signals
- Only one participant withdrew from the US study before its completion
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
§Based on a clinical trial; N=116, randomized 1:1 NutriTears® and placebo.
REFERENCES: 1. Data on File. Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. Rochester, NY. 2. Walsh K et al. The use of preservatives in dry eye drops. Clin Ophthalmol. 2019;13:1409-1425. 3. Castro-Castaneda CR et al. Nutraceuticals: A promising therapeutic approach in ophthalmology. Nutrients. 2022;14(23):5014. 4. Davis BM et al. Topical curcumin nanocarriers are neuroprotective in eye disease. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):11066. 5. Cristaldi M et al. Comparative efficiency of lutein and astaxanthin in the protection of human corneal epithelial cells in vitro from blue-violet light photo-oxidative damage. Appl Sci. 2022;12(3):1268. 6. Bian Q et al. Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation reduces photooxidative damage and modulates the expression of inflammation-related genes in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2012;53(6):1298-307. 7. Gorimanipalli B et al. Vitamin D and eye: Current evidence and practice guidelines. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023;71(4):1127-1134. 8. Hwang JS et al. Vitamin D enhances the efficacy of topical artificial tears in patients with dry eye disease. Cornea. 2019;38(3):304-310. 9. Najjaran M et al. Effect of oral vitamin D supplementation on dry eye disease patients with vitamin D deficiency. Clin Exp Optom. 2023;106(3):257-262. 10. Gioia N et al. A novel multi-ingredient supplement significantly improves ocular symptom severity and tear production in patients with dry eye disease: results from a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Front Ophthalmol (Lausanne). 2024;4:1362113. 11. Jones L et al. TFOS DEWS III: Management and therapy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2025;279:289-386. 12. Radkar P et al. A novel multi-ingredient supplement reduces inflammation of the eye and improves production and quality of tears in humans. Ophthalmol Ther. 2021;10(3):581-599.