Alcon, Inc. announced the U.S. commercial launch of SYSTANE PRO Preservative-Free (PF) eye drops, its newest addition to the company’s extensive dry eye portfolio.
First, a look at SYSTANE.
The company’s SYSTANE family of products is formulated to provide “real, long-lasting relief for all types of dry eye.”
The brand extends to:
- Artificial tears (both PF and non-PF)
- SYSTANE COMPLETE PF
- SYSTANE COMPLETE
- SYSTANE HYDRATION PF
- SYSTANE ULTRA
- SYSTANE ULTRA PF
- SYSTANE BALANCE
- SYSTANNE Lubricant
- SYSTANE PF
- SYSTANE CONTACTS Rewetting
- Allergy drops; gels and ointments
- Eyelid cleansing wipes
- iLux Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) Thermal Pulsation System
Wait just a minute here … didn’t the company recently recall SYSTANE drops?
They did—back in December 2024.
Take note, however: That was a voluntary recall issued across the United States for just one lot of the SYSTANE Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra-PF.
- The reason: Potential risk for fungal contamination.
See our rundown here.
Ah, gotcha. Next: Talk about this newest product.
SYSTANE PRO PF is marketed as the “longest lasting eye drop in the SYSTANE portfolio with a unique triple action” and a PF-based formula that’s ideal for sensitive eyes.
Its purpose: To provide temporary relief of burning and irritation due to eye dryness for all major types of dry eye as well as:
- For the temporary relief of discomfort due to minor irritations of the eye or to exposure to wind or sun
- For use as a protectant against / lubricant to prevent further irritation or to relieve dryness of the eye
Let’s get into the details of this.
Alcon reports the eye drop is formulated to:
- Provide sustained hydration
- Restore tear film stability
- Protect against further dry eye irritation
About this formulation: The triple-action formula includes hyaluronate, nano-sized lipids (to improve the delivery of the drop to the eye), and hydroxypropyl guar (HP-Guar) to support its active ingredient (propylene glycol [0.6%]).
- A note on HP-Guar: This is a polymer often used in eye drops to treat dry eye by improving:
- Tear film breakup time (TBUT)
- Corneal staining
- Corneal permeability
Got it. So what’s the dosing schedule?
First: Shake the 10 mL multi-dose bottle well before using and (while holding the bottle upside down) dispense one drop to discard before administering to the eye.
Then: Users are advised to instill one to two drops in the affected eye(s) as needed.
- Note: While the drop is safe for use with soft contact lenses, Alcon emphasizes that it is not a rewetting drop.
The bottle should be discarded 30 days after first opening.
And how does it work, exactly?
In Alcon’s product launch announcement, Selina McGee, OD, FAAO, founder and chief optometrist at Bespoke Vision in Edmond, Oklahoma, discussed the drop’s mechanism of action.
“SYSTANE PRO PF provides hydration and protection of the ocular surface and can also stabilize the lipid layer of the tear film to reduce evaporation and provide lasting dry eye relief for my patients,” she stated.
Nice! Now circle back to this ‘longest lasting eye drop’ mentioned earlier.
To be clear: It’s not 100% clear just how long the effects of SYSTANE PRO PF last after administration.
However, if this drop is reported to be the “longest lasting” out of the SYSTANE brand so far, that would mean that its effects would surpass the 8 hours of symptom relief already provided by a few other products, including:
- SYSTANE COMPLETE PF
- SYSTANE COMPLETE Lubricant
So where can I purchase this?
Alcon reported the U.S. launch will begin this month, with plans to extend to "additional markets in 2026.”
- The product has not yet been added to Alcon’s “where to buy” page, so stay tuned (and click here for potential coupons).
In the meantime: SYSTANE PRO PF will be showcased during this week’s SECO international meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Stop by Booth #235.
And check out what else the company has been up to (hint: the recent VOYAGER DLST launch last week).