Eye Drops for very dry eyes. Recommendations

I used to use Optrex drops but found them hard to squeeze with arthritic fingers. I now use Flowbow from Amazon which is easy to squeeze and in a clear bottle so you can see how much is left. I use as often as necessary. At first I didn''t like the smell but soon got used to it.

I find Optrex spray works well for me - and isn't too expensive.

Yikes! I used to swear by blink (sodium hyaluronate 0.2%), couple of drops a day, brilliant. Now, I can no longer tolerate it. Optician recommended Thealoz Duo! Let's just say 1st time I used that, my head was soon stuck under the kitchen tap! It's stronger than Blink!

I have tried almost every brand/type On the market, Weldricks (very good, used for the Dogs epileptic meds too) Medino, Butterflies Eyecare, all good for supplies, even Amazon.

I'm currently using Vizulize hypromellose 0.3% and can (as long as don't go too bonkers) use their sodium hyaluronate due to it being 0.1%.

I also have their Preservative Free version of Carmellose 0.5%, my eyes like that stuff, but I won't use it permanently due to knowing my luck, id get used to it.

I also keep Carbomer eye gel in stock, for "just in case"! Which happened in November, for about a week NO eye drops were comfy, no matter what I put in, my eyes stung! I went through several tubes of Carbomer I can tell you. Eyes weren't gunky, just hurt.

I was diagnosed with bad dry eye over 10 years ago, but the pressures fine, he reckons I don't drink enough, (Probably right, but then I've never have! Since I was young a litre a day, total, has always been enough. Now I'm getting on, I'm paying the price. I do try to drink, but the problem is what goes in, has to come out! Sister says my bladder doesn't know what's hit it due to never drinking, hardly ever needing the loo!)

I think Hyosan was one of the first I tried, I could try it again, I'll have to check costs etc

I use Hyabak, with no preservatives as I'm sensitive.

My GP prescribes Hyabak

I use Hycosan Extra, recommended by my optician and works perfectly.

Systane Balance drops as needed in the daytime and Xailin cream at night. I have these on prescription and they help a lot.

I recently had an eye op & was recommended Systane by a doctor. I’d had been using Hycosan but he said Systane were more effective & he used them himself. I use the intense ones during the day & the gel ones at night. They do the trick!

Bausch & Lomb Aqualarm UD Intensive drops. Excellent. Also on sale in the UK, I think, and on Amazon. Since surgery, using Lacrifluid for dry eyes prescribed by my eye Doctor. Possibly not available in the UK

I use hycosan gel at night & drops during the day- I usually stock up when they are on offer.

I have Sjogrens disease so they're a necessity. I use Hylo nite and Hyco-san extra on prescription but they are fairly cheap on eBay.

Another Hycosan Intense user. Used to use Hycosan Intense but needed more lubrication and progressed to Intense.

Have bought multiple packs when at good price on ebay.

The dry eyes specialist at my opticians told me that supermarket eye drops are not the best (ie useless) She told me to use Hycosan in the red box as often as needed, plus to take flaxseed oil and vitamin B12 and to drink more and eat walnuts.
Following this advice made a dramatic improvement to my eyes.

Fallingstar

My DH gets Carbommer eye gel drops on prescription.
If you have very dry eyes perhaps your GP can prescribe or if you attend an eye clinic a doctor there will prescribe it, not sure if you can get it over the counter.

I use that too, night and morning, hycosan during the day. Carbomer gel is available from Amazon, 8.20 for 3 tube. I found it there when my pharmacy couldn't get it.

I use Hycosan Extra (red bottle) recommended by my optician as you can use them with contact lenses. I also use wipes for blepharitis which helps.

Thank you everyone for you recommendations. I've ordered some Hycosan Intense. Hopefully that will really help.

The optician at Boots prescribed an eye gel for my very dry eye condition and has requested that the GP takes it on. So sorry, can’t recall the name atm but your optician will know.

My DH gets Carbommer eye gel drops on prescription.
If you have very dry eyes perhaps your GP can prescribe or if you attend an eye clinic a doctor there will prescribe it, not sure if you can get it over the counter.

I use Thealoz Duo, recommended by my ophthalmologist and available from several places including Amazon. Make sure any you buy are preservative free as this can damage your eyes. Optrex contain preservatives.

HycoSan for me aswell, as recommended by my optician. But I use the dual one ( purple) as my eyes are very itchy.

I was recommended Hycosan by the optician but have found any cheap brand from supermarket or Amazon works as well. I use them 3 times daily.
I asked the GP if I could have something on prescription but it is not on the list of medication that can be prescribed in this area.

Hyoscan for me too but they are very expensive. My optician suggested dry eyes can be a symptom of thyroid issues so perhaps ask you GP to arrange a blood test for that.

Hycosan intense for me too. Very expensive so I buy them from Boots and if you buy two at a time the second is half price. The full price is about £17+ 😳

Hycosan - but nothing less than the Intense strength (red one).

I have an eye mask that heats up in microwave. I also have just bought a rechargeable mask for when I travel soon. Nanna8, you can buy disposable Aero masks on line in Australia, they are convenient for travel also. Heat is wonderful for dry eyes.