About polyvinyl alcohola water-soluble synthetic polymer, a wetting solution for contact lenses, artificial tears/ ocular lubricant.mechanism of action of polyvinyl alcoholpolyvinyl alcohol is a wetting solution for contact lenses. the polyvinyl alcohol has demulcent action that helps protect the eye from irritation by the contact lens. it is also used in artificial tears employed when there is insufficient lacrimation. it is used to increase the viscosity of ophthalmic preparations and thus prolongs the contact of the active ingredient with the eye and thus enhances drug absorption and activity. it is included in artificial tears preparations used for dry eye and in contact lens solutions. for dry eye it is often used in a concentration of 1.4% with or without povidone.