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Eye Drops for very dry eyes. Recommendations

(61 Posts)
mumski Mon 02-Feb-26 18:51:56

I had an operation on my eye last year and now have very dry eyes.
Can anyone recommend eye drops which will help with this? I've been using off the shelf from for example Sainsburys and Morrisons, but they aren't very effective after a few minutes.
Thank you for any help.

Susie42 Thu 26-Feb-26 14:56:01

I use GelTear which was given to me by the local eye hospital and it’s made by Bausch & Lom. Boots sell the same but under a different name.

mantaray Thu 26-Feb-26 14:43:57

My doctor prescribed Artelac Nightime Gel for very sore dry eyes. It says on the packet that its for use at night, but the doctor said I could use it during the day and just wait for my eyes to clear before driving. It has made such a difference, because as it is thick it coats the eye and keeps it moist for much longer.

watermeadow Fri 06-Feb-26 20:39:36

I’m surprised at bottles of Hyco-san lasting 6 months and people using drops twice daily. I get through a bottle every month and need to use them 4 or 5 times daily. I also have to ration the time I read and embroider every day or my eyes become blurred for days on end.
Should I be asking for the purple box of Hyco-san to manage my dry eyes?

Polwal Fri 06-Feb-26 10:31:07

Hycosan...I get mine from the opticians but you can get on the internet. They have different ones. Most of the supermarket ones are more like water these feel oily if you put a drop on your fingers. They really lubricate and stay. The optician recommended. I tried the supermarket ones first as they are cheaper but had to get the Hycosan. They are easier to use too, only one drop drops out at a time.

Quercus Thu 05-Feb-26 16:20:51

My optician suggested that hylo-forte drops are longer lasting than many. May be worth trying. GP used to prescribe them for my mother after her eye surgery perhaps yours would too.

4allweknow Thu 05-Feb-26 16:18:30

pably15 I was prescribed carbomer gel for years to help with "dry " eyes. The gel was to help clear tear ducts which being blocked prevented the natural fluid produced to clear away. I know saying "dry eyes" is a contradiction in terms when meaning too much fluid. Don't know if OP is meaning she has crusty, itchy eyes and looking for something to soften, relieve itch.

MT62 Thu 05-Feb-26 15:49:45

Iam64

YourvGP will prescribe good day moisturiser drops and most importantly, night ointment

In addition, 3-4 times a day lie down with a warm wet flannel over yiur eyes
Yes, life long I’m afraid

She will be lucky if Gp prescribes those type of meds, mine has knocked mine off 😩

agingrapidly Thu 05-Feb-26 15:45:59

Hi. After cataract surgery I had very dry eyes. My optician and GP prescribed Hylo Forte for daytime use, Hylo night gel, a heated eye mask followed by eye massages, and also taking Omega 3 daily. It all helps to keep it at bay - and if I don't take the Omega 3, I feel the difference!😅 Also, sunglasses on when outdoors too! Good luck! 👁

theworriedwell Thu 05-Feb-26 14:47:30

I use HyloForte I get it on prescription so don't know if you can get it without a prescription. Consultant originally prescribed it and he said not to use the ones with preservatives and to take flaxseed supplements.

Tina1957 Thu 05-Feb-26 14:29:54

I use hykosan,from boots also can use up to six months.

aonk Thu 05-Feb-26 11:19:40

I use hycosan too. It’s not the cheapest but the bottle does last for 6 months. That works well for me as I only use it occasionally. Maybe ask an optometrist for advice.

Menopauselbitch Thu 05-Feb-26 11:09:50

I’ve been using the hot eye masks ( lots on Amazon) this has helped me a bit and is also very relaxing.

Babamaman Thu 05-Feb-26 00:40:44

Ask your pharmacist - I find own brands just as good as branded ones and half the price!

georgiejg Wed 04-Feb-26 22:29:00

I have a doctors prescription for Systane balance. Try asking your doctor for something suitable.

Qwerty Wed 04-Feb-26 21:54:01

I get Hylo-Forte Eye Drops on prescription and find them fine. Previously I had Carbommer Drops but they caused a rash on the skin under my eyes. Apparently Hylo-Forte have no preservative in them whereas Carbommer do and that was what caused the skin irritation. Ironically Hylo-Forte are linger lasting!

Grandma600 Wed 04-Feb-26 19:16:44

My GP prescribed Clinitas eye drops following my cataract ops. I find them very soothing. (I've also had Hylo Nite ointment and recommend it even though I no longer use it)

Momac55 Wed 04-Feb-26 19:11:36

I get AddTear on prescription from my GP

Milliedog Wed 04-Feb-26 19:04:00

I was diagnosed with very dry eyes at the eye hospital. They tried plugging the tear ducts, but that wasn't the problem. The problem is that the meibomian glands around the eye margins were blocked, so the oils couldn't stabilise the tears. They then removed the plugs and I was back to square one. What has really helped is wiping my eye margins with Blephasol lotion night and morning. That removes any stickiness and unblocks the meibomian glands so the oils can be released. I now don't need eye drops (which I couldn't tolerate anyway).

Grandmagrotbags Wed 04-Feb-26 18:24:35

Hycosan eyedrops for me too.

Grandmagrotbags Wed 04-Feb-26 18:23:10

Me too.

Bea65 Wed 04-Feb-26 17:02:06

I use tear lac which is a serum and really helps my dry eye syndrome…recommended by optician and GP prescribed

knspol Wed 04-Feb-26 16:42:46

Optician recommended Thealoz Duo to me plus an Optase eye mask to heat up in microwave and apply for 10 mins. After taking off mask I was told to gently massage the edges of my eye lids ( around eye lashes) to help stimulate the glands. She said that dry eye cannot be cured but that this will relieve symptoms and it has done.

Rapunzel100 Wed 04-Feb-26 15:36:31

Another vote for Hycosan Dual here.

Chaitriona Wed 04-Feb-26 15:35:19

I use Xailin gel every night. With that, I don't need drops during the day.

Chocolatenoodle8 Wed 04-Feb-26 15:27:56

Following my cataract operation, the optometrist put me on AAPROMEL eye drops for dry eyes. They do the job really well