Comparison of Top 3 Japanese Eye Drop Brands Best Sellers: Santen, Rohto, Lion Recommendations

Do you want to say goodbye to eye fatigue and dryness? This article compares the best-selling products from Japan's three major eye drop brands—Santen, Rohto, and Lion! Whether you are a heavy 3C user, a contact lens wearer, or just looking for soothing relief, you can find the perfect eye drops here. We provide an in-depth analysis of the features and effects of each brand's star products, such as the super cooling sensation of the Santen FX series, the gentle moisture of the Rohto Lycee series, and the vitamin nourishment of the Lion Smile 40 series, helping you choose easily and regain bright, comfortable eyes!

Table of Contents

• Rohto Eye Drops Top 5 Best Sellers
  • Rohto V Active Premium Anti-Aging Fatigue Eye Drops
  • Rohto Gold 40 Cooling Eye Drops
  • Rohto Lycee Eye Drops
  • Rohto Z! Eye Drops for Contact Lenses
  • Rohto Cool 40α Eye Drops
• Santen Eye Drops Top 4 Best Sellers
  • Santen FX NEO Cooling Eye Drops
  • Santen FX V Plus Cooling Eye Drops
  • Santen Artificial Tear Type Eye Drops
  • Santen MEDICAL GUARD EX Cornea Repair Eye Drops
• Lion Eye Drops Top 2 Best Sellers
  • Smile 40EX GOLD Eye Drops
  • Smile 40 EX a Eye Drops
• Summary: Buying Guide for Santen, Rohto, and Lion Series
• Still don't know how to choose? Japanese Eye Drop Buying Strategy

Rohto Eye Drops Top 5 Best Sellers

Founded in 1899, Rohto launched its first eye drop in 1909. Rohto Pharmaceutical's main products include eye drops, cosmetics, and gastrointestinal medicines, making it one of the two major eye drop manufacturers in Japan alongside Santen Pharmaceutical.

• Japanese Product Name: Vロートアクティブプレミアム
• Features: Contains ingredients to improve focus adjustment function and corneal protection, Vitamin A, and components to promote mucin secretion (a tear component), stabilize tears, repair the cornea, and improve eye fatigue.
• Efficacy: Blurred vision (excessive eye mucus), eye fatigue, conjunctival congestion, itchy eyes, prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, when dust or sweat enters the eyes), blepharitis (eyelid soreness), eye inflammation caused by ultraviolet rays or other lights (snow blindness, etc.), discomfort when wearing hard contact lenses.
• Cooling Level: ★★☆☆☆
• Can be used with naked eyes and when wearing O2 (high oxygen permeability) contact lenses, including hard contact lenses.

Comparison of Rohto V PREMIUM Eye Drop Series

• Japanese Product Name: ロート ゴールド40 20mL
• Brand: ROHTO
• Features: 6 active ingredients improve recovery from eye fatigue caused by aging and other factors, improving troubling blurred vision* and fatigue for middle-aged and older people. The Rohto Gold 40 series also has Mild Eye Drops, recommended for those with low tolerance to the cooling sensation of eye drops.
• Efficacy: Blurred vision, eye fatigue, prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, when dust or sweat enters the eyes), itchy eyes, eye inflammation caused by ultraviolet rays or other lights, discomfort when wearing hard or soft contact lenses.
• Cooling Level: ★★★★★
• Compatible with all hard and soft contact lenses, including O2 lenses. Do not use when wearing colored contact lenses.
• Rohto Gold 40 Eye Drop Series: Products with different cooling levels
  Rohto Gold 40 Cooling Eye Drops 20ml Contact Lens Compatible ▶︎
  Rohto Gold 40 Mild Eye Drops 20ml ▶︎
  Rohto Gold 40 Mild Eye Drops 20ml Contact Lens Compatible ▶︎
  Rohto Gold 40 MAX (Super Cool) Eye Drops 20ml ▶︎

• Japanese Product Name: リセコンタクトW 8ml
• Features: Contains three vitamin nutrients (Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E), anti-inflammatory ingredients, and moisturizing ingredients. It is pale pink and has a faint rose scent.
• Efficacy: Eye fatigue, discomfort when wearing soft or hard contact lenses, blurred vision (e.g., when there is a lot of eye mucus), itchy eyes, eye inflammation caused by ultraviolet rays or other lights (snow blindness, etc.), and prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, when dust or sweat enters the eyes, etc.).
• Cooling Level: ★★☆☆☆
• Suitable for contact lenses, but not for colored contact lenses.

• Japanese Product Name: ロートジーコンタクトb 12ml
• Features: Refreshing with just one drop! Awakening Super Cool! Can be used directly while wearing contact lenses!
• Efficacy: Eye fatigue, discomfort when wearing soft or hard contact lenses, tear supplementation (dry eyes), blurred vision (excessive eye discharge).
• Cooling Level: ★★★★★★★★8+
• Suitable for all contact lenses: hard, O2, soft, and disposable contact lenses.

• Japanese Product Name: ロート製薬 クール40α 12ml
• Features: Cooling eye drops containing 4 major eye care ingredients. "Natural Vitamin E" promotes blood circulation, "Vitamin B6" promotes metabolism of eye cells, "Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate" protects the corneal surface, and "Potassium L-Aspartate" helps eyes absorb oxygen, effectively relieving eye fatigue.
• Efficacy: Blurred vision (e.g., when there is a lot of eye discharge), eye fatigue, conjunctival congestion, prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, when dust or sweat enters the eyes), blepharitis (eyelid soreness), itchy eyes, eye irritation caused by ultraviolet rays or other lights (e.g., snow blindness), discomfort when wearing hard contact lenses.
• Cooling Level: ★★★★★
• Do not use when wearing soft contact lenses.

Santen Eye Drops Top 4 Best Sellers

Santen Pharmaceutical mainly produces ophthalmic drugs. Currently, Santen is the second-largest company in the Japanese eye drop market after Rohto. Well-known Santen eye drops include the "Sante FX Series" for super cooling refreshment, the "Soft Santear" preservative-free artificial tear drops, and the "Sante Medical Series" and "Hyalein S" for medical eye care. Let's see which product is the sales champion!

• Japanese Product Name: サンテFXネオ 12ml
• Features: Contains 2 types of amino acids to promote metabolism. Gives instant refreshing cooling to tired, red eyes! A classic of the Santen FX series, essential for driving, staying up late, and sports.
• Efficacy: Eye fatigue, conjunctival congestion, itchy eyes, prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, when dust or sweat enters the eyes), eye inflammation caused by ultraviolet rays or other lights (snow blindness, etc.), blurred vision (excessive discharge), blepharitis (eyelid soreness), discomfort when wearing hard contact lenses.
• Cooling Level: ★★★★★
• Do not use when wearing soft contact lenses.

• Japanese Product Name: サンテFX　Ｖプラス 12ml
• Features: The coolest in the series! Highest class concentration of Vitamin B6 in the industry, providing full nutrition to the eyes.
• Efficacy: Eye fatigue, conjunctival congestion, itchy eyes, prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, when dust or sweat enters the eyes), eye inflammation caused by ultraviolet rays or other lights (snow blindness, etc.), blurred vision (excessive discharge), blepharitis (eyelid soreness), discomfort when wearing hard contact lenses.
• Cooling Level: ★★★★★★ Series Highest Level
• Do not use when wearing soft contact lenses.

Comparison of Santen FX Eye Drop Series

• Japanese Product Name: ソフトサンティア 5mlx4本入
• Features: No preservatives added, can be used while wearing all types of contact lenses. Compact size, easy to carry!
• Efficacy: Improves discomfort when wearing contact lenses, eye fatigue, blurred vision, and dry eyes.
• Cooling Level: ☆☆☆☆☆
• You can use it when wearing soft, O2, hard, or disposable contact lenses.

• Japanese Product Name: サンテ メディカルガードEX 12ml
• Features: 10 carefully selected active ingredients, with 6 of them at the highest concentration in the industry. Ingredients include "Activated Vitamin B2" which promotes tissue metabolism and corneal repair, and "Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate" which moisturizes and protects the cornea. By repairing and protecting corneal damage, it effectively prevents eye inflammation and various eye diseases.
• Efficacy: Eye inflammation caused by ultraviolet rays (snow blindness), blepharitis (eyelid soreness), prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, dust or sweat entering eyes, etc.), eye fatigue, itchy eyes, blurred vision (e.g., when there is a lot of discharge), conjunctival congestion, and discomfort when wearing hard contact lenses.
• Cooling Level: ★★★☆☆
• Do not use when wearing soft contact lenses.

Comparison of Santen Medical Eye Drop Series

Lion Eye Drops Top 5 Best Sellers

Smile pioneered the "Vitamin A" stabilization formulation technology in 1990, repairing corneas damaged by overuse or slight friction. The popular "Smile 40" series refers to age, specializing in treating discomfort symptoms like frequent "eye fatigue" and "blurred vision" caused by aging.

• Japanese Product Name: スマイル40プレミアム 15ml
• Features: Medical eye drops with 10 active ingredients suitable for "severe eye fatigue" and "blurred vision" caused by aging or overuse. Contains no preservatives.
• Efficacy: Eye fatigue, blurred vision (excessive discharge), prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, when dust or sweat enters the eyes, etc.), conjunctival congestion, itchy eyes, blepharitis (eyelid rash), eye irritation caused by ultraviolet rays or other lights (e.g., snow blindness), discomfort when wearing hard contact lenses.
• Cooling Level: ★★★★☆
• Do not use when wearing soft contact lenses.

• Japanese Product Name: スマイル40EX 15ml
• Features: Cool instillation sensation! Contains 7 eye care ingredients including 3 vitamins and amino acids.
• Efficacy: Eye fatigue, blurred vision (when there is a lot of discharge), mucosal congestion, itchy eyes, blepharitis (eyelid soreness), prevention of eye diseases (after swimming, when dust or sweat enters the eyes), eye irritation caused by ultraviolet rays or other lights (e.g., snow blindness), discomfort when wearing hard contact lenses.
• Cooling Level: ★★☆☆☆　Also available in Mild Version and Super Cool Version
• Do not use when wearing soft contact lenses.

Comparison of LION Smile 40 Eye Drop Series

Summary: Buying Guide for Santen, Rohto, and Lion Series

Santen Pharmaceutical (Santen)

Sante FX Series:

Known for its strong cooling sensation, the main ingredients effectively relieve eye congestion and fatigue.
Divided into FX NEO (Silver packaging) and FX V+ (Gold packaging), the latter adds Vitamin B6 to further strengthen the repair effect.
Suitable for those who use computers and mobile phones for a long time, or need a refreshing boost.

Sante PC Series:

Designed for those who face electronic screens such as computers and mobile phones for a long time.
Contains ingredients like Vitamin B12, which helps protect the cornea and soothe damage caused by blue light.
Suitable for heavy 3C users.

Sante Soft Santear Series:

Artificial tear type eye drops, gentle and non-irritating, suitable for those with dry eyes or contact lens wearers.
Preservative-free, gently protecting the eyes.
Suitable for those with sensitive eyes.

Rohto Pharmaceutical (Rohto)

Lycee Series:

Designed for women, with exquisite and cute packaging, the main function is to relieve eye congestion and fatigue.
There are specific versions for contact lens wearers.
Suitable for women who care about beauty.

V Rohto Series:

Comprehensive eye drops with a variety of products with different functions targeting different eye problems.

V Premium Series, targets different eye conditions, divided into many types, such as: fatigue, dryness, redness, etc.

Suitable for people with various needs.

Z! Series:

Known for its strong cooling sensation, it can quickly eliminate eye fatigue and congestion.
Suitable for those who need a strong refreshing boost.

Lion (Lion)

Smile 40 Series:

Contains ingredients like Vitamins A and E, which help promote eye blood circulation and improve blurred vision.
Specialized for eye problems caused by aging, such as eye fatigue and blurred vision.
Suitable for the elderly or those who overuse their eyes.

Smile Contact Series:

Designed for contact lens users, with various products offering different functions.
Some products emphasize being preservative-free, while others emphasize moisturizing.
Suitable for contact lens users.

Selection Advice:

If you frequently use computers or mobile phones, choose Santen PC Series or Rohto V Rohto Series.
If you wear contact lenses, choose Rohto Lycee Series or Lion Smile Contact Series.
If your eyes dry easily, choose Santen Soft Santear Series.
If you need a strong cooling sensation, choose Santen FX Series or Rohto Z! Series.

Ingredient Caution:
If you are allergic to certain ingredients, please read the product manual carefully.
If you have any doubts, please consult a professional doctor.

Japanese Eye Drop Buying Strategy

Want to know how to choose eye drop ingredients and find eye drops for specific symptoms?
　☞Read this article How to Choose Japanese Eye Drops, Recommended Eye Drops for Different Symptoms

Want to know about Japanese Medicine Classification (What are Class 1, 2, 3 Medicines?)
　☞Read this article How to Buy Japanese Medicine?

※Note: Product information contained in this article may change. Please refer to the manufacturer's official website for the latest information. Before use, please check the usage, dosage, precautions, etc. described in the instruction manual (document enclosed in the package).

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