Dry eyes….best eye drops?

Honestly, we cannot advise you, and should not.

If they are prescribed for you, you have little choice but to use whatever has been prescribed. If they are not prescription, ask your pharmacist.

Optase preservative free - no bad effects and helps with 'gritty' feeling dryness.

Optician told me about a new Hycosan in a dark pink box, Hycosan Intense. I have found that Viscotears irritate my eyes now and I find the Hycosan very soothing.

Definitely worth trying Hycosan Extra in the red box - you can use them as often as you like and you don't have to throw away the bottle after 3 months.

I use Liquifilm Tears in 15ml bottles as advised by the hospital where I was diagnosed. The bottles lasts 28 days. Available on prescription or through online chemists.

My eyes have been dryer over recent years but recently I've started taking glycosamine to see if it eased my joints. I've found that my eyes are more moist - obviously I can't be sure, but nothing else has changed.

Chrisks

Really suffering with dry eyes and there are so many drops to choose from. Which are the best ones to use? Thank you.

Are you treating the problem yourself? It is a sign of macular degeneration.

Have you visited an optician and advised about treatment? It might be a good idea to. Aside from giving an accurate diagnosis, they would also know what drops will suit you, and you can go back to the GP if they do not.

My eye drops are prescribed by my GP.

Pippa22

I have regular check ups at the eye hospital for an eye condition that I have as well as dry eyes. The hospital consultant prescribes me Hylo-Forte but I think you can buy it without prescription too. I know two other people who have this prescribed for dry eyes. It’s easy to use and you can use it when you feel you need to.

This applies to me too, for glaucoma, but I don’t get much relief for my dry eyes from the prescribed Hydro-Forte. There are so many options, aren’t there? I also have been diagnosed with Blepharitis 🙄 and I will order a heated eye pad. Thank you for your recommendations. I have an appointment next week for my post op cataract procedure, so will discuss then.

My optometrist recommended eye drops. They had to be prescribed by my GP and it's a different make every time but always Carbomer 0.2% I get my prescription from Pharmacy2U used to be Lloyds Direct.

I tried a heat mask as others have said. It is extremely soothing. Central heating is a cause for fry eyes. I turn it off in the bedroom

I need to have drops that do not contain preservative. Have been sent into agony by simple over the counter drops but can use Hycosan extra successfully. Only problem is getting the drops to land where intended or they may not come out without a couple of tries. Have used the heated mask which is a great help.

Love to paint.
You may find a simple little thing like Easi dropper to insert your drops, it’s like a little plastic cup with a hole in , to put the drops in once it’s over your eye. The drops go straight in the eye, not running down your face , We got it from Amazon about £6 , it helps my husband a lot as he has to put drops in every night for Glaucoma. Also for dry eye drops during the day, It’s really useful ,

Correction Hylo-Forte. Incidentally, the drops prescribed for my glaucoma are Lumigan, one drop in each eye at night. They come in the smallest of bottles!

My optician advised a hot flannel for sore dry eyes. That was about 15 years ago so I probably need something better now. Also recommended Hyabak but I think they've stopped making that now. I needed one that was OK with contacts but I dont wear my contacts any more so I will look for something else now. Best to check with an optician I think as we get older.

I have very, very dry eyes due to a medical problem and used to get C orfneal ulcedrs because my eyes were so dry so the hospital specialist prescribed me Systane eye drops. I cannot use the eye gel ointment type as if I wake in the middle of the night I cannot see and am afraid of falling if I use the toilet so I just use the drops as and when required. I get them free on my prescription.

After 13 years of being a patient at the hospital eye clinic I have been discharged as I have now got the problem under control. The best thing I can tell you to do is to ensure you clean your eyes every morning with warm water and a cotton pad as it stops Blepheritis which also causes eye problems.

No-one knows more about dry eyes than I do, I have been to hell and back when the problem first started such as not being able to see.

My optician prescribed Hyabak, which I've been using for a few years now and they work brilliantly; it stops that feeling that there's something in my eye.

MaggsMcG Boots still stock Hyabak, saw some in there last week.

I am prescribed Hylo-Forte. Preservative free. Phosphate free.
I found the microwave heated eye pads seemed to give me bags under my eyes!

I use hycosan drops mainly due to them having no preservatives.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I have blepharitis as well as dry eye. I visited the optician about six months ago. Think I will try to use drops without a preservative. Many thanks for all your helpful suggestions.

Single dose eyedrops are best because they need no preservative in the recipe.

PS eyedrops have preservative in order to stop germs . It is difficult to not touch the applicator surface touching fingers or eyelids or the surface of the cornea. With single use drops you throw the tiny phial away.

At my post op appointment (cataract surgery) the optician recommended Blephasol for dry eyes. I will try this, together with the heated eye mask, and hope for some improvement. The Hylo-Forte, which is prescribed, is not very ueffective, but the only one available on prescription. I may try the Hycosan Extra, as recommended here.

Hylo-Forte preservative free, I was prescribed them by Moorfields so get them on prescription but you can get them on Amazon. They do a range for different conditions.

May I just add , when using warm boiled water and cotton wool pads to wipe eyes , pop a drop of baby shampoo into the water . This was recommended to me by optician . It helps clear build up on the eyelashes that cause bletheritis and itchy eyes .

I also recommended hycosan extra for dry eyes