Pataday eye drops are used once or twice daily depending on the formulation. The most common versions sold over the counter, Pataday Once Daily Relief and Pataday Extra Strength, are both limited to one drop per affected eye per day. An older formulation, Pataday Twice Daily Relief, can be used twice a day with several hours between doses.
Dosing by Formulation
Pataday comes in three strengths, and the concentration determines how often you can use it:
- Pataday Twice Daily Relief (0.1%): One drop in each affected eye, twice a day, spaced 6 to 8 hours apart.
- Pataday Once Daily Relief (0.2%): One drop in each affected eye, once a day.
- Pataday Extra Strength (0.7%): One drop in each affected eye, once a day. Do not use more than one drop per eye per day.
The higher-concentration formulas last longer in the eye, which is why they only need a single daily dose. If you’re using the once-daily or extra-strength version, adding a second dose won’t improve your symptoms and increases the chance of side effects.
How Pataday Works
The active ingredient in Pataday, olopatadine, fights allergic eye symptoms in two ways. It blocks histamine receptors on the surface of your eye, which stops the itching and redness that histamine triggers. It also stabilizes mast cells, the immune cells in your eye tissue that release histamine in the first place. This dual action means the drops both relieve existing symptoms and help prevent new ones from flaring up over the course of the day.
Because olopatadine targets only H1 histamine receptors and doesn’t interact with other receptor types, it tends to cause fewer unrelated side effects than broader allergy medications.
How Long Relief Lasts
The once-daily and extra-strength formulations are designed to provide up to 24 hours of relief from a single drop. Most people notice symptom improvement within minutes of application. If you find that your symptoms return well before 24 hours with the 0.2% version, the 0.7% extra-strength formula may offer more sustained coverage. Switching from the twice-daily to a once-daily formulation is also an option if you find it inconvenient to dose twice.
What Happens if You Use It Too Often
Using Pataday more frequently than recommended can increase the likelihood of local side effects. These include burning, stinging, or dryness of the eye, a feeling of something stuck in your eye, and redness of the eye or inner eyelid. Unlike some decongestant eye drops (like those containing tetrahydrozoline), Pataday doesn’t cause rebound redness, but overuse still irritates the eye surface unnecessarily.
If one drop isn’t controlling your symptoms, adding extra drops throughout the day is not the solution. Persistent allergic eye symptoms despite daily Pataday use may mean you need a different treatment approach.
Tips for Getting the Most From Each Drop
Proper technique makes a real difference in how well the drop works. Pull your lower eyelid down gently to create a small pocket, then let the drop fall into that pocket. Keep the dropper tip away from your eye and eyelid to avoid contamination.
After the drop lands, press gently on the inner corner of your eye where the eyelid meets the nose. Hold that pressure for one to two minutes before opening your eyes. This keeps the medication on the surface of your eye longer instead of draining down into your nasal passages, which means more of the active ingredient stays where it’s needed.
If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying Pataday and wait at least 10 minutes before reinserting them. The preservatives in the solution can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause irritation over time.
How Long a Bottle Lasts
Once you open a bottle of Pataday, it should be discarded after four weeks. Even if there’s still liquid remaining, the preservative system becomes less effective over time and the solution may no longer be sterile. If you’re using Pataday only during peak allergy season, note the date you opened the bottle and replace it monthly as long as you’re still using it.
Use in Children
The 0.7% extra-strength formulation is approved for adults and children aged 2 years and older, at the same one-drop-per-eye, once-daily dose. For younger children, or if you’re unsure which strength is appropriate, a pediatrician or eye doctor can recommend the right formulation based on the child’s age and symptom severity.