HP-guar supplements offer a unique solution for dry eye symptoms, providing long-lasting moisture and comfort. Find a top optometrist near you listed with Specialty Vision to discuss how these innovative eye drops can help keep your eyes healthy and hydrated.
Guar-based supplements with hydroxypropyl guar (HP-guar) are made to support the eye’s natural tear film. These supplements form a gel that protects the eye surface and matches the eye’s pH. They give long-lasting moisture, help with dry eye symptoms, and are used in many artificial tears.
Hydroxypropyl guar (HP-guar) is a special ingredient made from a natural bean. It’s changed a bit so it can work better in eye drops. When you use eye drops with HP-guar, they form a soothing gel that stays on your eyes longer and keeps them comfortable. This gel helps protect your eyes, keeps them moist, and makes blinking feel smoother, just like your eyes’ natural tears do.
Guar-based eye drops work by forming a gentle gel on your eye, but this only happens after you put them in. The natural pH of your tears triggers the gel to form, so it starts as a liquid and then turns into a soothing layer right where you need it.
This gel helps with dry eye in a few important ways:
Guar-based ingredients, especially HP-guar, are a key part of many popular artificial tears like those in the SYSTANE line. HP-guar is often combined with other soothing agents, such as sodium hyaluronate, to protect your eyes and keep them comfortable. Sodium hyaluronate helps hold onto moisture, while HP-guar adds a gentle thickness that keeps the eye surface covered longer.
Some products also mix HP-guar with oils for people whose dry eye is caused by not having enough natural eye oils. Although HP-guar is usually found in water-based eye drops, it can also be used in different formulas depending on what your eyes need. This makes HP-guar helpful for treating different types of dry eye, whether it’s from not making enough tears or from losing moisture too quickly.
HP-guar supplements have several key benefits for people with dry eye:
Several clinical studies show that HP-guar-based eye drops help reduce dry eye symptoms like stinging, burning, and discomfort. In one study, people using a propylene glycol–HP-guar drop felt much better after 28 days, with less irritation and more stable tears.
Other research found that HP-guar eye drops can lower inflammation on the surface of the eye, even after surgeries like cataract removal. This means HP-guar not only relieves dry eye symptoms but may also help the eye heal and stay healthier overall.
Dry eye syndrome can stem from different underlying issues, including aqueous deficiency and excessive evaporation of tears. The versatility of HP-guar based supplements makes them suitable for a broad spectrum of dry eye conditions. Here’s why:
In cases where tear production is reduced, HP-guar supplements help in retaining the small amount of existing tears by forming a long-lasting gel that decreases evaporation.
For patients whose tear film evaporates too quickly, the enhanced viscosity provided by HP-guar helps to stabilize the tear film and provide continuous lubrication.
Following ocular surgeries like cataract extraction, patients are often at increased risk of dry eye symptoms. HP-guar based products not only soothe irritated eyes but also support the healing of the ocular surface by reducing inflammation and promoting epithelial repair.
Regular artificial tears (like those with CMC or PEG) give quick moisture but tend to rinse off fast, so you have to use them often, especially if your dry eye is more severe.
These hold onto water better and keep your eyes moist longer than standard drops, but they still may not create a lasting barrier and often need to be used several times a day.
Medications like cyclosporine (Restasis) or lifitegrast (Xiidra) target inflammation. They can help if your dry eye is caused by inflammation, but they may take weeks to work, and long-term steroids can have side effects.
These are tiny plugs placed in your tear ducts to keep tears from draining away. They work for some people, but can cause discomfort or raise the risk of infection for others.
If you're experiencing dry eye symptoms, it’s important to find the right treatment. Schedule an appointment with a top optometrist listed with Specialty Vision who can recommend HP-guar-based eye drops tailored to your needs to ensure your eyes remain hydrated and comfortable.
Clinical research finds that HP-guar eye drops are good at keeping eyes comfortable, locking in moisture, and protecting the surface better than many other drops. They’re also safe for long-term use for most people.
Our eye doctors often suggest guar-based eye drops, like those in the SYSTANE line, for people dealing with dry eye. These drops are different because they form a gentle gel on your eye, giving longer-lasting moisture and relief compared to regular liquid drops.
If you notice dryness, a gritty feeling, or irritation in your eyes, talk to our eye doctors about HP-guar-based drops. They can help find the best treatment for your specific needs and make sure you get the relief and care you need for your dry eye symptoms.
When deciding if a guar-based eye drop is right for you, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Most people feel more comfortable and notice better moisture on their eyes soon after using HP-guar drops. The gel forms right away, giving quick relief.
Yes. Guar-based drops can be safely used with other dry eye treatments, like anti-inflammatory drops or lifestyle changes. They help support your tear film and keep your eyes lubricated between other treatments.
HP-guar drops are generally very safe. Most people don’t have any issues. If there are side effects, they’re usually mild, like brief irritation, and not common.
If you’re still having dry eye symptoms after regular use, let your eye doctor know. They can check your eyes again and adjust your treatment plan to better address your needs.
If you're experiencing dry eye symptoms, it’s important to find the right treatment. Schedule an appointment with a top optometrist listed with Specialty Vision who can recommend HP-guar-based eye drops tailored to your needs to ensure your eyes remain hydrated and comfortable.
Guar-based supplements with HP-guar provide lasting relief for dry eye symptoms. Find top optometrists for personalized recommendations!
