What is the typical osmolarity of hypotonic eye drops such as artificial tears used to treat dry eye?

Artificial tears used for treating dry eye are typically formulated to have an osmolarity that is lower than that of normal human tears, which range between approximately 300 to 330 mOsm/L. The goal of using hypotonic eye drops is to provide relief by rehydrating the ocular surface and reducing osmotic stress on the corneal cells.

The correct answer reflects an osmolarity of 150 mOsm/L, which is appropriately lower than the physiological values for tears. This hypotonic formulation can help in soothing the eyes by minimizing the dryness sensation and supporting the overall health of the corneal epithelium. Thus, the osmolarity of these drops is designed to optimize comfort while effectively managing the symptoms associated with dry eye syndrome. The choice of 150 mOsm/L is strategically beneficial in promoting tear stability without leading to further irritation or discomfort.