That New Dry Eye Drug? It Turns Into PFAS in Your Liver
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/7/2026
A chemical approved for dry eye treatment gets converted into a PFAS-like compound inside your liver cells. It was supposed to be safe.
What's in Your Eye Drops
Perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8) is a semifluorinated alkane recently approved to treat dry eye disease. Regulators considered it safe for topical use. But a 2026 study in Environ Int looked at what happens when it reaches liver cells.
The answer: your liver converts it into perfluorohexyloctanoic acid, a compound with a PFAS-like structure. That's the same class of "forever chemicals" found in nonstick pans and firefighting foam.
It Rewires Your Liver's Metabolism
Researchers exposed human liver cells to F6H8 across a range of doses. Even at low concentrations, the chemical disrupted amino acid, fatty acid, and lipid metabolism. Higher doses also messed with central carbon metabolism.
The metabolite (the PFAS-like breakdown product) had its own separate effects on cells. It wasn't just a weaker version of the parent chemical. It triggered different metabolic changes entirely.
Why "Metabolically Inert" Was Wrong
F6H8 was assumed to pass through the body without being changed. This study proves that's wrong. The body actively converts it into something persistent, something that looks and acts like a forever chemical.
What This Means for You
If you use dry eye drops, check the ingredients. Ask your doctor about alternatives that don't contain semifluorinated compounds. And keep reducing PFAS from other sources too. Browse non-toxic home essentials for everyday swaps.
Also see non-toxic kitchen essentials for safer alternatives.