Dry eye conditions
MTW Hospital Ophthalmologist & West Kent Community Opthalmology Team Guideline for Dry Eye Treatment
Mild dry eye
- Hypromellose 0.3% (preserved)
- Carmellose 0.5% and 1% (preservative free)
- Carbomer 980 Gel 0.2% (preserved)
Moderate dry eye
- Blink Intensive Tears®(sodium hyaluronate/polyethylene glycol 0.2/0.25% (preserved)
- Sodium hyaluronate 0.18% (preservative free) Vismed Multi®
For night-time use :
- Paraffins eye ointment (preservative free) e.g. VitA-POS®or HydraMed Night®
Severe Dry Eye
- Sodium hyaluronate 0.18% (preservative free) Vismed Multi®
- Ciclosporin (Ikervis®) eye drops for dry eye that has not responded to conventional treatment
For night-time use :
- Paraffins eye ointment (preservative free) e.g. VitA-POS®or HydraMed Night®
Severe Dry Eye with corneal damage
- Thealoz Duo®(sodium hyaluronate/trehalose 0.15/3% (preservative free)
Dry Eye with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
- Systane Balance®(propylene glycol 0.6%)
- EvoTears®(Perfluorohexyloctane 100%) (Preservative free)
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.