Five Eye Drops Sold at Japanese Drugstores That You Should Buy for a Variety of Eye Issues

1. Zaditen AL Eyedrops (GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare)

These are eye drops specifically for allergies with the anti-allergy ingredient, ketotifen fumarate. There are ingredients that suppress (anti-allergy), calm (antihistamine) and prevent (anti-inflammatory) symptoms, controlling the symptoms of allergies to pollen and house dust so they do not get worse. The eye drops cannot be used when wearing contact lenses.

Treats: Allergy symptoms caused by house dust and other allergies (e.g. red eyes, itchy eyes, bleary eyes (such as due to eye mucus), watery eyes, debris in eyes)

Price: 1,380 JPY (excl. tax)

2. Soft Santear (Santen Pharmaceutical)

Soft Santear are artificial tears with properties similar to natural tears to improve unpleasant symptoms such as dryness of the eye and the resultant feeling of foreign matter in the eyes. The drops are comfortable and do not sting the eyes. They are free from preservatives and can be used when wearing contact lenses (soft, O2, hard, disposable).

Treats: Discomfort while wearing soft or hard contact lenses, supplementary for tears (dry eyes), tired eyes, bleary eyes (due to eye mucus)

Price: 540 JPY (incl. tax)

3. Sante Medical Guard EX (Santen Pharmaceutical)

The Sante Medical Series, the manufacturer\'s greatest achievement, combines the most appropriate ingredients for various causes of tired eyes and blurry vision. Sante Medical Guard EX is formulated specifically to help the eyes by repairing and protecting damaged cornea. It includes a precise balance of 10 active ingredients such as one that promotes and repairs tissue metabolism of the cornea and one that moisturizes and protects the cornea. It cannot be used when wearing soft contact lenses.

Treats: Ophthalmia due to ultraviolet rays and other light rays (such as snow blindness) , blepharitis (soreness of eyelids), prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, or when dust or sweat gets in the eyes), tired eyes, itchy eyes, bleary eyes (such as due to an increase in eye mucus), conjunctival congestion, discomfort when wearing hard contact lenses.

Price: 1,598 JPY (incl. tax)

4. Rohto Alguard (Rohto Pharmaceutical)

Rohto Alguard are eye drops that calm the symptoms of pollen and house dust allergies. The active ingredients are chlorpheniramine maleate, which reduces itchiness of the eyes, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, which has anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects, and tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, which removes redness. They are free from preservatives. The drops feel refreshing and cool. They cannot be used when wearing soft contact lenses.

Treats: Itchy eyes, conjunctival hyperemia (extra blood in the eyes caused by conjunctivitis), blepharitis (soreness of eyelids), bleary eyes (such as due to an increase in eye mucus), prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, or when dust or sweat gets in the eyes), ophthalmia due to ultraviolet rays and other light rays (such as snow blindness), tired eyes, discomfort when wearing hard contact lenses

Price: 930 JPY (excl. tax)

5. Rohto Koukin Eye Drops (Rohto Pharmaceutical)

These eye drops are recommended for styes and conjunctivitis. The active ingredients include two anti-inflammatories that are effective against pain and swelling and the antibacterial ingredient, sulfa. It comes in sanitary dose-size disposable packets. It is free from preservatives. The medication is gentle and does not sting so it can be administered to small children. It cannot be used when wearing soft contact lenses.

Treats: Styes, conjunctivitis (pink eye), itchy eyes, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids)

Price: 980 JPY (excl. tax)

The items introduced here are all very popular products. Be sure to choose the one that is appropriate for your symptoms.