Do eyedrops from the pharmacy have microplastic in the bottle?

What's actually in it

Most pharmacy eyedrops come in plastic bottles made from materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These containers are not solid or stable. They are designed to hold liquids, but they often release tiny pieces of plastic known as microplastics and nanoplastics directly into the product inside.

These plastic particles don't just stay in the bottle. They leach into the liquid every time you squeeze the container. Because you are using these drops directly in your eyes, you may be introducing these synthetic particles to your body.

What the research says

Peer-reviewed research has consistently found that plastic packaging is a major source of plastic contamination in the liquids we consume and use. A 2025 study in Environ Monit Assess identified the presence of microplastics in common drinking water and milk packaging, proving that plastic containers shed these particles into the liquids they hold.

The problem gets worse with how we store these bottles. A 2026 study in Water Res found that everyday handling and storage of plastic bottles significantly increase human exposure to these plastics. Furthermore, a 2026 study in Environ Sci Technol shows that heat makes the plastic age faster, which causes even more particles to break off into the liquid. A 2026 study in Sci Total Environ confirms that these microplastics pose clear health risks when they enter the human body.