Question

Why are solutions such as eye drops and contact solutions always isotonic?

Answer 1

Eye drops and contact solutions are isotonic because they have the same osmolarity as the fluid in the eyes, preventing the net movement of water into or out of the cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

An isotonic solution is one in which the extracellular fluid has the same osmolarity as the cell. This is important because it prevents the net movement of water into or out of the cell. Eye drops and contact solutions, which are used to treat eye conditions and clean contact lenses, are formulated to be isotonic with the fluid in the eyes. This ensures that the solutions do not cause any discomfort or damage to the cells in the eyes.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

Isotonic: an isotonic solution is one that has the same osmotic pressure compared to another one usually cells or body fluid.

If eye drops had high osmotic pressure they would cause the eye to be dry since fluid would move out the cells making up the eye.

If the eye drops had low osmotic pressure this would cause swelling of the eye since the cells would retain the fluid from the eye drop.