Abstract

Eyedrops must be sterile, and the preservatives they contain should keep them so and should not harm the eye. Standards for the formulation of eyedrops are published in the British Pharmaceutical Codex 1969 which becomes official next week; the problem of ensuring sterility in unopened bottles of eyedrops has thus largely been solved. The preservatives now in use do not completely eliminate the risk of contamination of eyedrops, produce allergic reactions in a few patients, and must not be used during ophthalmic surgery when the eye is opened.