Any problems with Hypromellose?

[ChrisW]

Have had KC for 35 years and been wearing GP lenses for 50 years. I've also had two grafts and a cataract op in my left eye. Last month I had to have a lid lift - Having spent all those years removing my lenses by tugging at the sides of the eyes, my lids were low enough to be affecting my sight. My optician has re-mapped my eyes and I'm waiting for my new lenses. In the meantime, I can't wear my old left one because the new lid level effectively pushes it into my eye!

After my op, Mr Collin at Moorfields prescribed Hypromellose for "comfort" at the initial stage when I wasn't wearing lenses and I found it really was so much better than all my previous drops - Boots Dry Eyes Intensive, Blink etc. When I emailed my optician to ask if it was OK to use in the eye wearing a contact lens (though I now see lots of people on the Forum doing just that thing), he rejected the suggestion straight away, saying it was just a wetting solution and - sin of all sins - it contains preservatives, so I should stick to Blink.

Is there really a serious problem with something containing preservatives? At my age (63) is any long-term use problem going to affect me? It may well be that using drops which have been in the fridge also helps, but I would very much like to continue using these, even if just for when things are really bad and would appreciate your opinion.

Many thanks.

[Andrew MacLean]

For acute users of artificial tears, preservatives are not a problem, but for chronic users they can actually cause dry eye.

I use preservative free drops (clinitas soothe).

Andrew

[ChrisW]

Thanks Andrew. Much appreciated. Will try Clinitas. C

[space_cadet]

Preservative free wise I swear by Celuvisc and get it on pescription.

Lea x