Eyes work hard all day. Allergies, screen time, driving, and contact lenses can leave them dry and irritated. In fact, a recent literature review put the global pooled prevalence of dry eye at 34.8% of the population.1
Eye drops and rinse products one of the primary methods to relieve this condition. And, to improve efficacy, manufacturers add boron.
Because anything applied to the eye must be safe your borate source matters as much as your formulation. U.S. Borax is trusted by the leading eyecare brands because we deliver exceptional purity and quality.
How boron works in eyecare products
Applied in small quantities, boric acid retains moisture and controls pH, easing the discomfort irritants cause.
Antimicrobial protection
Borates possess mild antibiotic properties that support the treatment of bacterial or fungal infections.
Buffering
Healthy tears are slightly alkaline (7.4 pH). Borates act as a buffering agent to maintain a stable pH in eyecare products.
Compatible tonicity
Borates match the product to the eye’s tonicity, so it won’t disrupt the natural chemistry of the user’s eyes.
Learn more about boron in eyecare
Borate excipients across eyecare products
As excipients, boric acid and borax decahydrate stabilize formulations and carry their active ingredients to the eye. You’ll find boron in:
Artificial tears and eyedrops: Borax Decahydrate EP/NF or Optibor® EP/NF are added to control pH and retain moisture.
Boric acid ophthalmic solution: Used as an eye wash to cleanse or irrigate the eye, it soothes irritation and helps flush pollutants such as smog and pollen.
Contact lens saline solution: Borates buffer these sterile rinses, which remove loosened debris and traces of daily cleaner after chemical or hydrogen peroxide disinfection.
Lubricating and rewetting drops: Borates’ buffering properties helps soft lenses stay comfortable throughout the day.
Formulating an eyecare product? Explore Optibor specialty-grades.
Eyecare safety starts with borate sourcing
For decades, U.S. Borax has successfully navigated strict pharmaceutical regulations. Our exceptional compliance record starts at Coudekerque, where borates undergo additional refining to ensure low levels of elemental impurities.
Behind every batch, there is a specialized quality management system and a dedicated quality lab using advanced analytical techniques to ensure purity and consistent boron concentration.
Eyecare product certification and support
At Coudekerque, we produce borates that adhere to globally recognized standards and organizations:
EP (European Pharmacopoeia) and NF (U.S. National Formulary)
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and ICH guidelines
ISO 9001:2015 across our refining and production operations
For products sold in multiple markets, we can simplify your compliance documentation. Certificates of Suitability (CEPs) for borax and boric acid meet European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM) requirements, streamlining your Marketing Authorization Applications.
Our product stewardship team also tracks evolving eyecare industry regulations, so you stay compliant as requirements change.
And for the widest compendial coverage, Optibor 3C meets EP, NF, and the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (JP).
It’s also important to know pharmaceutical-grade products from U.S. Borax have no expiration date. As the three-year mark nears, we can retest material to confirm compliance.
Why U.S. Borax is the right partner for eyecare products
Partnering with U.S. Borax gives you pharmaceutical-grade borates backed by rigorous certification and batch-level traceability, plus a technical team for lifecycle support.
Ready to get started? Request a sample for your eyecare formulation or contact our technical team with any questions.
Reference
Kunhong X, et al. 2025. Global prevalence of dry Eye: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. (49)2:102627.
