Eye drop label terms, explained

Eye drop labels use a small vocabulary that is easy once you know it. Here it is, with Quell’s label as the reference point. The full panel is on the Drug Facts page.

• Drug Facts: the standardized panel on every over-the-counter drug, covering actives, uses, warnings, directions, other information and inactive ingredients.
• Over-the-counter: sold without a prescription and used by following the label.
• Active ingredient: an ingredient that does the drug’s job. Quell’s are Glycerol (1.0%), Polysorbate 80 (1.0%) and Light Mineral Oil (0.5%).
• Inactive ingredient: anything else in the formula.
• Lubricant: the purpose the label gives glycerol and polysorbate 80.
• Emollient: an oily ingredient that softens and coats. The purpose given for light mineral oil.
• Demulcent: the word regulations use for lubricant ingredients in eye drops.
• Preservative: an ingredient added to stop microbes growing in an opened solution. Quell has none.
• Ophthalmic: to do with the eye. Quell’s science copy calls it an ophthalmic formula.
• Artificial tears: a common name for lubricating eye drops.
• Tear film: the thin layer covering the surface of the eye, with a watery layer beneath an oil layer.
• Lipid layer: the oil layer of the tear film. The oil itself is called meibum.
• Tamper seal: a seal showing a product hasn’t been opened since it was packed.

For how these fit together on a real panel, see how to read a Drug Facts label.