Well actually we sell it in our practice for £3.99 which I think is recommended retail.
The issue here is what the official line is as there are lots of regs about drops and CL's - as with some older type of drops, there was a reaction between the preservatives and the materials.
Lynn
Systane - a better ocular lubricant...
Moderators: Anne Klepacz, John Smith, Sweet
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Lynn White
- Optometrist
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- Joined: Sat 12 Mar 2005 8:00 pm
- Location: Leighton Buzzard
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Rob Armstrong
- Regular contributor
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Wed 17 Mar 2004 8:49 pm
- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and spectacles
- Location: Liverpool
I was told to get myself some artificial tears this week at the hospital, as my eyes - especially my grafted one, have been really irritated this past week. They've put it down to pollen.
I have used hypromellose in the past, but was told this time to make sure I get preservative free eye drops, as they apparently give better results. (I don't wear lenses).
Is Systane preservative free? I couldn't tell from the provided link, and also is Systane OK for grafted eyes? (Can't see why not but always best to check!).
Rob.
I have used hypromellose in the past, but was told this time to make sure I get preservative free eye drops, as they apparently give better results. (I don't wear lenses).
Is Systane preservative free? I couldn't tell from the provided link, and also is Systane OK for grafted eyes? (Can't see why not but always best to check!).
Rob.
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Lynn White
- Optometrist
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- Joined: Sat 12 Mar 2005 8:00 pm
- Location: Leighton Buzzard
Systane does have preservatives - but the newer generation that cause less trouble. Preservative free ones are in single dose units - so you use and throw.
Hypromellose is the standard NHS lubruicant - cheap and cheerful and works ok if you can find the time to instill it every few hours...
Systane is OK to use on grafts and is worth a try as it does work exceedingly well - if you get irritation you will have to go to preservative free drops.. and Systane does not have those yet!
Lynn
Hypromellose is the standard NHS lubruicant - cheap and cheerful and works ok if you can find the time to instill it every few hours...
Systane is OK to use on grafts and is worth a try as it does work exceedingly well - if you get irritation you will have to go to preservative free drops.. and Systane does not have those yet!
Lynn
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Rob Armstrong
- Regular contributor
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- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and spectacles
- Location: Liverpool
Thanks for your reply.
I took a gamble and got it anyway before waiting for a reply. I was in constant disccomfort, and the Hypromellose only gave very temporary relief, and caused me to get sticky mucus in the corners of my eyes pretty quickly, which then dries and can cause its own problems.
Had to try a few different places to get the Systane, and was a bit reluctant to pay over £5.00 for 10ml, when I usually pay about £1.60 for Hypromellose, but figured it was still cheaper than a prescription.
Well, one dose and things felt much better! Couldn't believe it. My eyes did dry out a bit when I got into my brother's car though - which made me realise I had been out in his car almost everyday since this started early last week (I reckon he's got pollen trapped in his heating ducts, as he had the blowers on cold.) But apart from that things were pretty good all day, with just one dose.
Things aren't perfect, but miles better in only 2 days (4 doses)!
Speaking of miles, I did 57 of them for the British Heart Foundation today. Did Liverpool -> Chester and back on my bike. Was really worried that I might not be able to do it as my eyes have been so sore and blurry, but Systane did the trick!
Highly recommend it! (The Systane eye drops that is, not necessarily riding to Chester and back.)
Rob.
I took a gamble and got it anyway before waiting for a reply. I was in constant disccomfort, and the Hypromellose only gave very temporary relief, and caused me to get sticky mucus in the corners of my eyes pretty quickly, which then dries and can cause its own problems.
Had to try a few different places to get the Systane, and was a bit reluctant to pay over £5.00 for 10ml, when I usually pay about £1.60 for Hypromellose, but figured it was still cheaper than a prescription.
Well, one dose and things felt much better! Couldn't believe it. My eyes did dry out a bit when I got into my brother's car though - which made me realise I had been out in his car almost everyday since this started early last week (I reckon he's got pollen trapped in his heating ducts, as he had the blowers on cold.) But apart from that things were pretty good all day, with just one dose.
Things aren't perfect, but miles better in only 2 days (4 doses)!
Speaking of miles, I did 57 of them for the British Heart Foundation today. Did Liverpool -> Chester and back on my bike. Was really worried that I might not be able to do it as my eyes have been so sore and blurry, but Systane did the trick!
Highly recommend it! (The Systane eye drops that is, not necessarily riding to Chester and back.)
Rob.
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Sweet
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- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses
- Location: London / South Wales
Yes i find systane very good as well in stopping eyes drying out too much. Only problem though that i find, is use it too much and you do get blurred vision, but that's because i'm kinda naughty and i'm using it with my lenses in lol ssshhh!
Great news on cycling lol! Hope you had a wonderful but understandably very tiring day lol! I did 50 miles cycling around South Wales for Barnados about ten years ago now, lol, so i was a lot younger then. It was a fantastic run though, although i never did decide to do it again! Funny that! LOL!!
Keep on smiling!
Love Sweet X x X
Great news on cycling lol! Hope you had a wonderful but understandably very tiring day lol! I did 50 miles cycling around South Wales for Barnados about ten years ago now, lol, so i was a lot younger then. It was a fantastic run though, although i never did decide to do it again! Funny that! LOL!!
Keep on smiling!
Love Sweet X x X
Sweet X x X
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Lynn White
- Optometrist
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- Joined: Sat 12 Mar 2005 8:00 pm
- Location: Leighton Buzzard
Good to hear Rob...
actually.. although it costs more you need to use less so its not that expensive in the long run. The recommemded dose is twice a day - use more and it can get blurry - in fact Alcon recommmend you DON'T use it more than twice. So make sure yo uuse it when you take your lenses out as well as before putting them in.
Hypromellose is so cheap as its basically the major recommended NHS lubricant and Systane isn't on the "list" at all. I wish Systane COULD get on the list for my elderly patients because twice a day is about as much as most of them can manage or remember!
Lynn
actually.. although it costs more you need to use less so its not that expensive in the long run. The recommemded dose is twice a day - use more and it can get blurry - in fact Alcon recommmend you DON'T use it more than twice. So make sure yo uuse it when you take your lenses out as well as before putting them in.
Hypromellose is so cheap as its basically the major recommended NHS lubricant and Systane isn't on the "list" at all. I wish Systane COULD get on the list for my elderly patients because twice a day is about as much as most of them can manage or remember!
Lynn
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GarethB
- Ambassador
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- Keratoconus: Yes, I have KC
- Vision: Graft(s) and contact lenses
- Location: Warwickshire
Lynne,
What are the main differneces between Systane, Hypromellose and Celluvisc (which I am on now)?
Celluvisc was prescribed when I went to the eye casualty along with an anti-inflamatory due to an alergic reaction to my lenses. Only just started wearing them again so still building the lens wear. Celluvisc is due to run out in the next week or so.
Also, does anyone know if you can get Systane in ampule form? I like these as I can keep strips of half dozen in the first aid boxes at work marked for my use only. Means I do not have to remember a bottle all the time or have several on the go!
Gareth
What are the main differneces between Systane, Hypromellose and Celluvisc (which I am on now)?
Celluvisc was prescribed when I went to the eye casualty along with an anti-inflamatory due to an alergic reaction to my lenses. Only just started wearing them again so still building the lens wear. Celluvisc is due to run out in the next week or so.
Also, does anyone know if you can get Systane in ampule form? I like these as I can keep strips of half dozen in the first aid boxes at work marked for my use only. Means I do not have to remember a bottle all the time or have several on the go!
Gareth
Gareth
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Lynn White
- Optometrist
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- Joined: Sat 12 Mar 2005 8:00 pm
- Location: Leighton Buzzard
Gareth
The difference is the polymers - both hypromellose and celluvisc are based on methycellulose so are basically viscous liquids that stay in the eye longer than "thinner" liquids.
Systane uses polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol and HP Guar and when it hits the eye, it reacts with the tears forms a thin gel that coats the eye which is why people refer to feeling a "comfortable film " over the eye. This actually helps to maintain the integrity of the corneal surface. Therefore Systane works differently to other wettting agents.
I know it is available in single dose units in the US but have not seen them here yet...worth searching around for them!
Lynn
The difference is the polymers - both hypromellose and celluvisc are based on methycellulose so are basically viscous liquids that stay in the eye longer than "thinner" liquids.
Systane uses polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol and HP Guar and when it hits the eye, it reacts with the tears forms a thin gel that coats the eye which is why people refer to feeling a "comfortable film " over the eye. This actually helps to maintain the integrity of the corneal surface. Therefore Systane works differently to other wettting agents.
I know it is available in single dose units in the US but have not seen them here yet...worth searching around for them!
Lynn
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