Refresh Tear

Refresh Tears is a lubricant eye drop (artificial tears) for dry, irritated eyes. The Indian pack we sell is a 10 mL bottle of carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5% w/v (Tata 1mg, Apollo Pharmacy), sold in India under the Refresh Tears brand: Apollo names Allergan Healthcare India Pvt Ltd and Tata 1mg names AbbVie Therapeutics India Private Limited. Our listing calls it "Refresh Tear". It is not a medicine that treats a disease: it wets and coats the surface of the eye to ease dryness, burning and grittiness. We sell it in packs of 3, 6 or 12 bottles, from $6.00 a bottle before shipping.

Please read this before you buy. In the US, Refresh Tears (the same brand and the same 0.5% strength, in a 15 mL bottle) is widely sold over the counter in US pharmacies, and once our shipping is added a bottle from us costs more per mL than a US store price; the price section shows the figures. Refresh Tears is also sold without a prescription in Canada, and a carmellose 0.5% drop of the same type is sold in Australia. Dryness that lasts more than a few weeks, or a painful or red eye, needs an eye examination rather than more drops.

Refresh Tears at a glance

Refresh Tears price per bottle

Prices as of October 2026; the pack selector shows the current price. None of the packs reaches the $149 free shipping level on its own, so each includes the $25 shipping charge below unless you add other items to the order.

How long a bottle lasts. The label says to use it "as needed", so there is no fixed number of drops a day and we cannot say how many days a bottle lasts. What limits a bottle is the rule for an opened bottle: PharmEasy and Truemeds say discard it 30 days after opening, and Tata 1mg and Netmeds say use it within 4 weeks. If your carton gives a 30 day limit, a 12 bottle pack opened one bottle at a time lasts up to about 12 months (our arithmetic), so check the expiry dates when it arrives. If you only need a bottle now and then, the 3 bottle pack is the sensible size.

Refresh Tears in the US: is it cheaper locally?

Yes, for most US buyers. US Refresh Tears (Allergan) is carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5% in a 15 mL bottle, sold over the counter (DailyMed; openFDA NDC 0023-0798-15). Store brand carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% drops are also sold, for example Rugby (openFDA NDC 0536-1386-94, 15 mL). The figures below are what US pharmacies paid according to the Medicaid NADAC survey (as of 28 October 2026) and one retail price we read on walgreens.com on 28 October 2026. NADAC is a pharmacy acquisition cost, not the price at the counter. Per 10 mL figures are our arithmetic so the bottles can be compared.

So before shipping, our 12 bottle pack is about the same price per mL as the Walgreens 2 pack. But the $25 shipping charge applies to every pack on its own, and with it a 10 mL bottle from us costs $8.08 to $15.00, against about $6.33 for 10 mL of Refresh Tears at the Walgreens price, and less again for a store brand (our arithmetic). If you live in the US, buy Refresh Tears or a store brand carboxymethylcellulose drop locally. In Canada, Refresh Tears is on the shelf as a non-prescription drug. In Australia, Chemist Warehouse listed Refresh Tears Plus 15 mL (carmellose 0.5%) at A$9.99 on 28 October 2026. We have no price data for the UK; compare a local product before ordering from abroad (our advice).

Is the Indian Refresh Tears the same as US Refresh Tears?

We cannot say that it is identical. Here is what each source lists:

The active ingredient and strength match the US and Australian products, and two Indian listings name the same type of preservative. But the bottle size differs (10 mL against 15 mL), PharmEasy's ingredient list does not match the US label (it names polysorbate 80 and no preservative), and the opened-bottle rule differs (30 days or 4 weeks on the Indian listings against 90 days on the US label). Treat the Indian carton, not the US label, as the guide for your bottle. If you have reacted to a preservative in eye drops before, check the carton before use and ask a pharmacist if it does not list one (our advice).

What Refresh Tears is for, and what it is not for

The US label gives its uses as "For the temporary relief of burning, irritation, and discomfort due to dryness of the eye or exposure to wind or sun", and says it "May be used as a protectant against further irritation." It adds water and a slippery film to the eye surface; it does not change how many tears you make. The UK label for a carmellose 0.5% drop (Celluvisc, a different product) says carmellose sodium "has no pharmacological effect" and that its high viscosity gives "an increased retention time on the eye" (UK SmPC 5.1).

How well do artificial tears work? A 2016 Cochrane review of 43 randomised trials (3,497 people with dry eye) concluded that over the counter artificial tears "may be safe and effective" and that most may have similar effects, but rated the evidence as low quality and said it was uncertain whether different artificial tears give similar relief (Pucker 2016, PMID 26905373). These results are for artificial tears in general, not for this bottle.

Drops or gel: which lubricant to choose

Refresh Tears is a thin drop, so it blurs vision less than a gel but may need using more often. A gel stays on the eye longer and is often kept for bedtime (our suggestion, not a label instruction). The UK carmellose 0.5% label says the drops may cause "transient blurring of vision" (Celluvisc UK 4.7).

The ingredients in the last three rows are as listed on our product pages; check each page and carton. The Cochrane review concluded that most over the counter artificial tears may have similar effects, on low quality evidence (Pucker 2016), so if one stings or does not help, a pharmacist or optician can suggest another. If you need drops many times a day or react to preservatives, preservative free single-dose drops exist; in the UK, Celluvisc 0.5% comes in single-dose containers with no preservative listed (UK SmPC 6.1, 6.5).

How to use Refresh Tears

1. Check the bottle. The US label says "If solution changes color or becomes cloudy, do not use", and the US carton says use only if the tape seals are intact. PharmEasy says do not use it if the seal is broken.
2. Wash your hands. Tilt your head back, pull the lower eyelid down and put 1 or 2 drops into the pocket. The US label says "Instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) as needed"; the US rules for eye lubricants use the same words (21 CFR 349.60). The UK carmellose 0.5% label says 1 to 2 drops "4 times a day or as needed" (Celluvisc UK 4.2).
3. Do not touch the tip of the bottle to any surface, and replace the cap after use (US label). The UK carmellose label also says to avoid contact with the eye (Celluvisc UK 4.2).
4. Other eye drops. Tata 1mg says wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before another medicine in the same eye; the UK carmellose label says at least 15 minutes, "as displacement of a medication may occur" (Celluvisc UK 4.2). Leaving 15 minutes covers both (our advice). If you use glaucoma drops or other prescription drops, do not stop them in favour of a lubricant.
5. Wait for your vision to clear before you drive or use machines (Celluvisc UK 4.7).
6. Storage. Keep it at room temperature, ideally 15°C to 30°C, and do not freeze it (Apollo); the US label says store at 15°C to 25°C. No source we checked asks for a fridge. Keep it out of the reach of children.
7. After opening, follow the period on your carton (see the price section). Do not share a bottle with anyone else (our advice).

Contact lenses. The US Refresh Tears label says nothing about contact lenses. The Australian Refresh Tears Plus listing says it is "Suitable for use with contact lenses", and the UK preservative free Celluvisc label says "The eye drops may be used with contact lenses" (UK 4.2). Apollo and Netmeds, for the Indian bottle, say remove lenses before use and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back; Apollo adds "unless the packaging specifically states the drops are safe for use with contacts", and Netmeds suggests preservative free drops if you wear lenses regularly. Since the Indian bottle's preservative is not confirmed, follow your carton, and if it says nothing, take lenses out and wait 15 minutes (our advice). The NHS says that if you wear contact lenses or need carmellose drops more than 4 times a day, "a brand that does not contain a preservative may be best for you". A red eye in a contact lens wearer needs urgent advice (NHS).

Groups who need extra care

• Allergy to an ingredient. The UK carmellose label makes hypersensitivity to carmellose sodium or any excipient a contraindication (Celluvisc UK 4.3). The Indian listings do not agree on the full ingredient list, so check the carton.
• Children. The US label gives no age limit and says "Keep out of reach of children." The UK carmellose label says safety and efficacy in children and adolescents "have been established by clinical experience, but no clinical trial data are available", and recommends the adult dose (Celluvisc UK 4.2). For babies and young children, ask a doctor or pharmacist first, because a dry or sticky eye in a child can have other causes (our advice).
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The US label has no pregnancy warning. The UK carmellose label says that, because of negligible systemic exposure and no pharmacological activity, it "can be used during pregnancy and breast-feeding" (Celluvisc UK 4.6). That label is for a preservative free product, so ask a pharmacist if you are unsure about the Indian bottle.
• Eye surgery, injury or an eye condition under treatment. Ask your eye doctor before adding any drop (our advice).
• Dry eye from medicines. The NHS lists "certain medicines (for example, some antidepressants or blood pressure medicines)" among the causes of dry eyes. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without speaking to your doctor (our advice).

Refresh Tears side effects

The US Drug Facts label for Refresh Tears lists no side effects; US over the counter labels of this type give stop-use warnings instead (eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation). Tata 1mg says "A stinging sensation may occur for 1-2 minutes" and to tell your doctor if it lasts longer. The UK label below is for another carmellose 0.5% product, Celluvisc, which comes in preservative free single-dose containers; it is given as the closest licensed comparison, not as Refresh Tears data.

The Cochrane review found that over the counter artificial tears "may be generally safe, but not without adverse events" (Pucker 2016).

When to get urgent help

• Eye pain, changes in vision, continued redness or irritation of the eye, or if the condition worsens or persists for more than 72 hours. The US label says stop use and ask a doctor.
• Changes to your sight (wavy lines, flashing, loss of vision), pain when looking at light, a red eye with a severe headache and feeling sick, a very dark red eye, an eye injury, or something stuck in the eye. The NHS says call 999 or go to A&E (in the US or Canada call 911, in Australia 000; our advice).
• A painful red eye, or a red eye while you wear contact lenses. The NHS says ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111, as it could be an eye infection.
• Allergy signs: swelling of the eyelids, lips, face or throat, hives, wheezing or trouble breathing. Stop the drops and get emergency help if breathing is affected (our advice; hypersensitivity is listed in the Celluvisc UK label 4.8).
• Swallowed by a child. The US label says "If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away" (US 1-800-222-1222; in Australia 13 11 26). The UK carmellose label says "Accidental overdose will present no hazard" (Celluvisc UK 4.9), but follow the poison line's advice.

Who should not use it

Do not use it if:

• You are allergic to carmellose (carboxymethylcellulose) sodium or any other ingredient (Celluvisc UK 4.3).
• The solution has changed colour or become cloudy (US label), or the seal was broken when it arrived (US carton; PharmEasy).
• The bottle has been open longer than the period on its carton (Indian listings: 30 days or 4 weeks).

Do not rely on it, and see a professional, if:

• You have any of the urgent signs above.
• Dryness continues for a few weeks despite home treatment, or the shape of your eyelids changes (NHS).
• You wear contact lenses and your eye is red (NHS).

Prescription and legal status

• US: no prescription needed. openFDA lists Refresh Tears (carboxymethylcellulose sodium 5 mg/mL) under the marketing category "OTC monograph drug" (monograph M018). Under the FDA eye lubricant (ophthalmic demulcent) rules, 21 CFR 349.12, carboxymethylcellulose sodium may be used at 0.2 to 2.5 percent, so 0.5% is inside that range.
• UK: we found no Refresh Tears product on emc (search on 28 October 2026). Carmellose sodium eye drops are licensed in the UK as Celluvisc 0.5% and 1% (AbbVie; Celluvisc 0.5% PL 41042/0060). Lubricant eye drops are sold in UK pharmacies without a prescription: the NHS says a pharmacist can advise on products you can buy "such as eyedrops, gels, ointments", and its carmellose page says carmellose sodium eye drops "are available to buy from pharmacies and shops". Some unmedicated artificial tears are sold as medical devices: MHRA guidance says they are "considered to be medical devices if therapeutic claims are made" (MHRA borderlines guidance, January 2021).
• Canada: the Health Canada Drug Product Database lists Refresh Tears (DIN 02231008, AbbVie, carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%) as a non-prescription drug with the status "Marketed".
• Australia: Refresh Tears Plus 15 mL (carmellose sodium 5 mg/mL) is sold over the counter in pharmacies (Chemist Warehouse listing), and it has been listed on the PBS (October 2018 schedule). We could not read the TGA's ARTG search, so we have not confirmed how it is entered there.
• India: the listings disagree. Apollo shows "Prescription drug" on the page, while its product data says no prescription is required; Tata 1mg marks it "Prescription required".

The Indian pack we sell is not registered with the FDA, MHRA, TGA or Health Canada. The FDA says personal importation of unapproved medicines is illegal in most circumstances, and this Indian pack is not the US-marketed pack. Given that Refresh Tears is on US and Canadian shelves, there is little reason for a buyer there to import it (our view).

Buying genuine Refresh Tears

The MHRA warns: "Any medicine not authorised for sale in the UK can be unsafe or ineffective and there is no way of knowing what is in them or the negative health effects they can have." It also advises: "Only use UK-registered pharmacies, including online pharmacies displaying the official green cross logo." When your order arrives, check that the carton and bottle name carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, show a batch number and an expiry date, list the ingredients, and that the seal is intact. These checks cannot prove a bottle is genuine, because counterfeiters copy packaging. If a bottle looks wrong, the solution is discoloured or cloudy, or it causes symptoms, stop using it, seek medical advice and report it to your regulator (the MHRA Yellow Card scheme in the UK, FDA MedWatch in the US, the TGA in Australia or Health Canada) as well as to us.

Delivery

We ship Refresh Tears to the US, UK, Australia and Canada in plain packaging with tracking. Standard delivery takes 7 to 14 business days, so if your eyes are uncomfortable now, buy a lubricant locally while you wait (our advice). Shipping costs a flat $25 on orders under $149 and is free from $149. See our shipping page and returns and refunds.

Related guides

• Cyclosporine eye drops for dry eye: Restasis, Cyclomune and what the trials show
• Buying eye drops from an online pharmacy: what you need to know
• How to buy eye care medicine online safely

For diagnosed dry eye disease that lubricants do not control, an eye doctor may prescribe Cyclomune 0.05% Eye Drop (ciclosporin); it is a prescription medicine, not a lubricant.

Sources

• REFRESH TEARS (carboxymethylcellulose sodium) solution/drops, US Drug Facts label, Allergan, Inc., DailyMed setid 329d1fe0-4432-4565-b7b1-65666bd86526, SPL version 10, published on DailyMed 26 October 2026: active ingredient, uses, warnings, directions, other information, inactive ingredients, principal display panel. DailyMed
• US Food and Drug Administration, openFDA NDC directory, searched 28 October 2026: Refresh Tears 0023-0798 (15 mL and 2 x 15 mL) and Rugby carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5% 0536-1386 (15 mL), "OTC monograph drug", M018. openFDA
• 21 CFR Part 349, Ophthalmic drug products for over-the-counter human use, sections 349.12 (ophthalmic demulcents) and 349.60 (labeling), eCFR, up to date as of 19 October 2026. eCFR
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), 2026 file as of 28 October 2026: Refresh Tears 0.5% (NDC 00023079815, $0.55878 per mL; NDC 00023079801, $0.41174 per mL) and carboxymethylcellulose 0.5% (NDC 00536138694, $0.31743 per mL), all effective 21 October 2026. data.medicaid.gov
• Walgreens. Refresh Tears Lubricant Eye Drops 0.5 fl oz, 2 pack, $18.99, read 28 October 2026. walgreens.com
• Celluvisc 0.5% w/v eye drops, solution, unit dose, UK Summary of Product Characteristics, AbbVie Ltd, PL 41042/0060, revised 1 April 2022, sections 4.2 to 4.9, 5.1 and 6. emc
• Health Canada Drug Product Database: Refresh Tears (DIN 02231008), AbbVie Corporation, searched 28 October 2026. Health Canada DPD
• Chemist Warehouse. Refresh Tears Plus 15 mL (Australia), A$9.99, read 28 October 2026. chemistwarehouse.com.au
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, October 2018 (carmellose sodium 0.5% eye drops, 15 mL, Refresh Tears Plus). pbs.gov.au
• Pucker AD, Ng SM, Nichols JJ. Over the counter (OTC) artificial tear drops for dry eye syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. PMID 26905373. PubMed
• MHRA. Borderlines between medical devices and medicinal products in Great Britain, version 1.2, January 2021, section 5. GOV.UK
• NHS. Dry eyes, page last reviewed 6 January 2025. nhs.uk
• NHS. About carmellose sodium eye drops, page last reviewed 8 July 2024. nhs.uk
• Tata 1mg, Apollo Pharmacy, PharmEasy, Truemeds and Netmeds. Refresh Tears 10 mL listings, read 28 October 2026. Tata 1mg, Apollo, PharmEasy, Truemeds, Netmeds
• MHRA. 20 million illegal erectile dysfunction pills seized as MHRA warns against risky online buys, 13 February 2026. GOV.UK
• US Food and Drug Administration. Personal Importation. FDA

This page is for information and is not medical advice. Refresh Tears is a lubricant for eye comfort; a painful or red eye, a change in vision, or dryness that does not settle needs an eye examination.