All About Mermaid Tears™
Developed by doctors for safe, comfortable swimming
Mermaid Tears ™ was developed by doctors and scientists who are avid beach-goers, but hate the chafing and squeezing of swim goggles.
It’s not safe to swim in contact lenses unless you’re wearing goggles that are leak-proof and never dislodge. Frustrated with trying to find goggles that stand up to ocean sports, we decided to take another approach.
How it works
Mermaid Tears™ is a biologic eye drop that stimulates your eyes to increase the production of mucin. Mucin is a natural component of your own tears. It is the tear layer that is closest to the actual front surface of your eye, the cornea. By increasing the mucin layer, Mermaid Tears™ blocks ocean water from coming into contact with your corneas, thereby preventing salt water irritation.
An increase in the mucin layer also changes the focus of your cornea, temporarily correcting nearsightedness and astigmatism. Therefore, there is no need to wear your contact lenses when swimming in the ocean.
If you are farsighted, you will still need to wear your contact lenses. Mermaid Tears™ creates an extra cushioning layer of mucin which helps keep your contact lenses on your eyes and prevents salt water from getting underneath them – no goggles needed.
Mermaid Tears™ is 100% natural, completely preservative-free and the only active Inactive Ingredient is BOPE™. The only inactive Active Ingredient is glycerin (derived from non-GMO biodiesel production) which might also be active, but not active enough; sodium chloride and sterile water are almost certainly inactive, but maybe not.
Sea clearly underwater… naturally!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use Mermaid Tears™?
Apply 2 drops of Mermaid Tears™ to each eye 30 minutes before entering the ocean.
Apply 1 drop of Mermaid Tears™ as needed to maintain clear underwater vision, but not more often than once per hour.
Do not apply more than 6 drops of Mermaid Tears™ in a 24 hour period.
Do not share your bottle of Mermaid Tears™ with others. Mermaid Tears™ is a script-only OTC drug which is intended for use by a single person, per FDA regulation.
Can I use Mermaid Tears™ with contact lenses?
If you are nearsighted or have astigmatism, Mermaid Tears™ will allow you to see clearly without your contact lenses.
If you are farsighted, you can use Mermaid Tears™ with your contacts. Instill 2 drops of Mermaid Tears™ into each eye, wait 30 minutes for extra mucin to form, then insert your contacts. If you need additional dose(s), first remove your contacts, instill one drop in each eye, and wait 15 minutes before re-inserting your contacts.
How do I store Mermaid Tears™?
Store unopened bottle of Mermaid Tears™ in your freezer.
After opening, Mermaid Tears™ may be stored at room temperature for up to 3 years.
Your Mermaid Tears™ may have thawed during shipment. Refreeze immediately if you do not intend to use it within 72 hours.
Does Mermaid Tears™ have side effects?
Do not over-use Mermaid Tears™. The maximum dosage is 6 drops in a 24-hour period.*
Precaution during use: Objects under water are closer than they appear.
For Eye Care Professionals
FDA compliance
Mermaid Tears™ is registered with the FDA as an over-the-counter drug. Its NDC number is 83437-002-10. You may verify this information and view our full drug label information at DailyMed.*
Mermaid Tears™’s unique, 100% natural biologic protein extract has been sterilized using millipore filtration and bottled in chilled cleanrooms that meet all FDA CGMP regulations.
Mechanism of action
Mermaid Tears™ stimulates the production of mucin, thickening and stabilizing the tear film and increasing the dwell time of the basal aqueous layer. Mucin production is controlled by a number of genes which can be up-regulated.
Our proprietary ingredient BOPE™ contains transcription factor proteins which temporarily activate the mucin genes, thereby thickening the mucin layer. A partial list of these transcription factors includes SP1, AP-1, C/EBP, AFT/CREB, c-Myc, Oct-1, and NF-1.
Off-label indications
The mucin layer is the least understood layer of the tear film, and is the next target for pharmacologic manipulation.
Mermaid Tears™ may be quite beneficial in patients with dry eye disease, aqueous deficient dry eye disease, evaporative dry eye disease, sicca syndrome, Sjogren syndrome, limbal stem cell deficiency and other conditions where there is insufficient mucin production, and / or enhanced mucin layer thickness might improve the stability of the tear film.
Unlike many other dry eye therapies, Mermaid Tears™ appears to treat both signs and symptoms of ocular surface dryness and inflammation.
Dosage and risks
Since Mermaid Tears™ is non-preserved, dry eye patients may instill it as often as once per hour.
We believe there is no risk of pupil deformity or expansion of the semi-lunar fold if the eyes are not in contact with salt water during use.
Special opportunities
for sports medicine eye care providers
As an eye care provider, you can purchase Mermaid Tears™ from us at a 50% cost reduction compared to the web price offered to patients. This lets you mark each bottle up 100% and sell it in the office at a competitive price.
During beach season, patients appreciate the option to obtain Mermaid Tears™ from their trusted eye doctor at the last minute. We offer free marketing materials suitable for placement next to sunglasses displays.
*WE HAD NO TROUBLE CREATING THIS ENTRY ONCE OUR CHIEF SCIENTIST FIGURED OUT HOW TO NAVIGATE THE FDA’S OTC DRUG LISTING PROCESS. WE ARE 100% LEGAL HERE. THE SOFTWARE DOESN’T LET YOU CHEAT. Drug Facts
see also DailyMed
ACTIVE INGREDIENT
Glycerin 0.4%
PURPOSE
Eye lubricant
INDICATIONS & USE
To protect against eye irritation from salt water.
To allow you to see like a mermaid under water.
WARNINGS
This is a non-preserved eye drop improperly packaged in a standard eye drop bottle. Do not, if you love your corneas, allow the dropper tip to touch anything (even air).
Do not use if solution changes color, becomes cloudy, or shows evidence of spontaneous carbonation.
WHEN USING
Precautions During Use
Objects under water are closer than they appear.
This means sharks.
DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION
Directions for Use
Apply 2 drops to each eye 30 minutes before entering the ocean.
Apply 1 drop as needed to maintain clear underwater vision, but not more often than once per hour.
Do not apply more than 6 total drops in a 24 hour period.
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS
BOPE™, sodium chloride, sterile water
STOP USE IF
Your pupils change shape from round to vertical or horizontal slits.
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
If swallowed, get medical help, ideally at an aquarium.
If no aquariums are nearby, look for a store that sells saltwater fish as pets, not as food.
As a last resort, contact a Poison Control Center. Advise them that the active Inactive Ingredient is BOPE™, which is proprietary, may affect your genome, and is not in their database.
STORAGE AND HANDLING
Keep frozen until use.
After thawing, store at room temperature up to 3 years.
QUESTIONS?
OceanTears™ is a fictitious product imagined by a non-profit patient advocacy organization in order to raise awareness about eye drop safety.
For more information please visit eyedropsafety.org or call 800-484-0244.
Testimonials
“IT’S AMAZING! I have tried so many different brands of swim goggles and I find them all so uncomfortable. I’m very pleased to find this alternative.”
“Thank you for this innovative product. Swim goggles are not available with my very high prescription, so I’m used to seeing poorly when I swim. But now, I can see everything clearly!”
“My doctor prescribed this for me because of my severe dry eyes. I was a little hesitant at first, but I can now say that it is truly making a difference.”