Drops for Dry Eye

[spectacles49]

Following surgery for Glaucoma and Cataracts, and damage to my cornea due to infection, I have experienced occasional irritation in my eyes, and have been advised by my Consultant to use lubricating eye drops. There seem to be two main types of drops available, those containing Sodium Hyaluronate and those containing Hypromellose. Is there any difference in effectiveness between the two? Descriptions of preparations containing Sodium Hyaluronate often claim a "restorative" effect, while those containing Sodium Hyaluronate only claim to stop the irritation. I am wondering whether I would be protecting my eyes better with Sodium Hyaluronate-based drops, or whether as long as the Hypromellose banishes the symptoms, I am just as well off with that.

[Rainyday2024]

Hello, I was prescribed Thealoz Duo eye drops for my dry eyes. These were for daytime use, ideally four times a day, but I tend to forget with all my numerous other drops! Without reading the box, I’m afraid I do not know what they contain, but they are good and don’t sting me eyes! I was also prescribed the Thealoz Duo GEL drops to use before bed, but just lately my pharmacist seems to have had trouble obtaining them! They gave me some other Thealoz drops which I use at night, it can get a bit confusing so I hope next time I order, they have the Gel type ones back in stock. I hope this has been of some help to you, but I’m sure you will be getting many more replies via this website. Regards, Gill

[spectacles49]

Sorry, my post contained a typo. It is the preparations containing Hypromellose that only claim to relieve the symptoms. They don't claim to "help restore the ocular surface" or "protect" it, which is what the Sodium Hyaluronate-based drops often claim.

[whitedog]

Hi

I'm not sure about the difference between the two. I did see a video on You Tube that was talking about the hyaluronate content in dry eye drops and that those with a higher percentage (eg 0.2 rather than 0.1) were better due to being more viscous.

My glaucoma consultant prescribed Hylo Forte and Xailin Night a - a thick gel for overnight.

I've also been prescribed a drop called Ikervis at a corneal clinic as my corneas are, apparently, quite pitted due to meibomian gland dysfunction causing poor tear film. Plus encouraged to use a heat mask more regularly to clear the glands. Also to drink more water and take more Omega 3!

I guess treatments for dry eye may vary depending on the cause.

[spectacles49 in reply to whitedog]

Thanks for your comments. An optometrist has told me that Hypromellose is less effective that Sodium Hyaluronate. It works well for mild cases of dry eye but for more severe cases he recommends Sodium Hyaluronate-based drops. It's something to do with how well they stick to the surface of the eye.

[Dumyat26]

I also was prescribed Hylo Forte and Xailin Night for one month after having an infection on my eyelid.

[AlfredV]

Personally I've preferred the hyaluronate variety. At face value they seem little different from water with their fluidity but they do a good job of retaining moisture in the eye, and is also a natural constituent of your own tear film (I think).

The hypromellose type are observably a thicker fluid (the higher the strength the thicker). They also work well as a lubricant but in my experience eventually end up crusting on the eyelashes. Before I'd tried night ointment I put some in before bed and would wake up with my eyelashes glued together and would be unable to open my eyes without first bathing them!

I'm not currently using lubricating drops, but when I did my preference was Clinitas Soothe Multi when needed during the day, and Xailin Night at bedtime.

[spectacles49 in reply to AlfredV]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I have found that Hypromellose-based drops produced crusting. An optometrist has recommended Sodium Hyaluronate-based drops.