MTW Hospital Ophthalmologist & West Kent Community Opthalmology Team Guideline for Dry Eye Treatment

Mild dry eye

1. Hypromellose 0.3% (preserved)
2. Carmellose 0.5% and 1% (preservative free)
3. Carbomer 980 Gel 0.2% (preserved)

Moderate dry eye

1. Blink Intensive Tears^®(sodium hyaluronate/polyethylene glycol 0.2/0.25% (preserved)
2. Sodium hyaluronate 0.18% (preservative free) Vismed Multi^®

For night-time use :

1. Paraffins eye ointment (preservative free) e.g. VitA-POS^®or HydraMed Night^®

Severe Dry Eye

1. Sodium hyaluronate 0.18% (preservative free) Vismed Multi^®
2. Ciclosporin (Ikervis^®) eye drops for dry eye that has not responded to conventional treatment

For night-time use :

1. Paraffins eye ointment (preservative free) e.g. VitA-POS^®or HydraMed Night^®

Severe Dry Eye with corneal damage

1. Thealoz Duo^®(sodium hyaluronate/trehalose 0.15/3% (preservative free)

Dry Eye with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

1. Systane Balance^®(propylene glycol 0.6%)

Amanda LePage Principal Formulary Pharmacist and Professor E Ansari Consultant Ophthalmologist agreed by Trust DTMMC December 2017

Review date: December 2019

Most preparations may be purchased by patients from a community pharmacy.

Chronic soreness of the eyes due to reduced/abnormal tear secretion often responds to tear replacement therapy. The severity of the condition and patient preference will often guide the choice of preparation.