Description
Carbomer eye gel is an artificial tear substitute used to provide long-lasting relief from symptoms of dry, irritated eyes. Its gel consistency helps it stay on the eye's surface longer than standard liquid drops, making it particularly effective for moderate to severe dry eye or overnight use.
Key Information
- Primary Use: To treat symptoms of dry eye syndrome, such as itchiness, burning, redness, and the feeling of a foreign body in the eye.
- Mechanism: The active ingredient, carbomer, is a synthetic polymer that forms a protective, lubricating film over the eye's surface, stabilizing the tear film and retaining moisture.
- Duration: It provides extended relief, as it is not washed away as quickly as some liquid drops.
- Availability: It is available over-the-counter at pharmacies and can also be prescribed by a doctor.
- Common Brands: Brand names include GelTears®, Lumecare®, Viscotears®, Evolve®, and Clinitas®.
How to Use
- Wash your hands thoroughly before use.
- Tilt your head back and gently pull down your lower eyelid to form a small pocket.
- Squeeze one drop of the gel into the pocket, being careful not to touch the eye or eyelid with the tip of the tube to prevent contamination.
- Blink gently a few times to spread the gel evenly across the eye's surface.
- Repeat the process in the other eye if needed.
Important Considerations
- Dosage: Typically used 3 to 4 times a day, or as directed by a healthcare professional.
- Contact Lenses: Remove contact lenses before application. Wait at least 15-30 minutes before reinserting them, as the preservative in many gels can affect soft lenses.
- Other Eye Medications: If using other eye drops, apply them at least 5-15 minutes apart, and always use the carbomer eye gel last to ensure it stays on the eye surface the longest.
- Side Effects: Temporary blurred vision is a common side effect immediately after use; do not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear. Mild stinging or irritation may also occur initially.
- Storage: Store at room temperature (below 25°C) and discard the tube's contents 28 days (or one month) after first opening to prevent infection.
- Safety Notice: Specific recalled brands (AACarb®, AAcomer®, and Puroptics® eye gels) were identified as a potential infection risk for certain high-risk patient groups (e.g., those with cystic fibrosis or who are severely immunocompromised). Generally, other carbomer-containing products are considered safe for the general public, but it is always wise to check current safety alerts and consult a doctor if you have underlying health condition