Optimel - Australia's new dry eye treatment.

[hosanna13]

Optimel is not available in the US, so I've just been making my own raw honey drops (10% honey, 90% PF saline). I use it morning and night. It does burn initially, but the sensation subsides within seconds. I feel my eyes are less inflamed, but I can't confidently conclude honey is 100% responsible..

[ebel]

I'm still going amazingly well with OptiMel. My new strategy is to put a good dab of it (about 5mm) on both ends of a Q-tip. Quickly smear one lower lid from inner to out, then turn the Q-tip around and smear OptiMel to the other bottom lid, inner to outer. Do not squeeze eyes since this will squeeze the ingredients out of your eyes. Rather, gently close eyes for a few seconds then blink a few times to assist distribution. Grab a few tissues...you'll need them since it certainly makes my eyes water. So good to have moisture.

Shannon is correct, the stinging decreases with time. But the few moments of pain is worth the relief afterwards. I can go without my moisture chamber glasses for longer after application and no other drop or ointment has ever done that. I believe it forms a seal over the ocular surface as well as providing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits for the Meibomian glands. Once it all dries (about 30 minutes) I may apply preservative free Sodium Hyaluronate since it's supposed to increase Goblet cells and later, a lipid containing eyedrop.

I believe these type of drops are 'healing' rather than just soothing.

I have been using Optimel for about 2 months. It helps. I'm using a method similar to the DCRdryeye and I feel a similar effect , though my eyes stay moist for a shorter time. I use it, in general, 2x daily. Does anyone know if it can be used continuously?

[DCRdryeye]

Hi ebel. Yes you can use Optimel continuously - long term. There are not harmful effects from continuous use, in fact, you'll improve more over a long period of time as Optimel reduces inflammation and bacteria from the eyelids and ocular surface on an ongoing basis.

[Faith1989]

Does anyone know if this can be shipped to Canada? Or can I get it somewhere in the U.S.?

[ebel]

DCRdryeye, thanks for the reply.

Faith1989, you can check at www.eyesat.com.au. They ship to many countries. The question is whether the national authorities allow its entry. Just trying to know.
You can find other sites that sell the product, looking for Optimel in "google".

[vinnieblanco]

I have a few left over, I've only used one from six that I ordered since this shop from Australia would not allow me to order only one. Spent 100$ to order 6 pack. Australia to Vancouver Canada. I have not used it continuously since it stings and gets crusty at night when I go to bed. I have clogged eye lids and lashes falling out, has anyone here has been successful in unclogging their eyelids or producing more tears by using optimel? Thanks

[Dog2012]

I tried it..O..BOY it is so burning

[mvallence90]

Hi ebel. Yes you can use Optimel continuously - long term. There are not harmful effects from continuous use, in fact, you'll improve more over a long period of time as Optimel reduces inflammation and bacteria from the eyelids and ocular surface on an ongoing basis.

Is this something you order online in Australia or can it be found in chemists, do you need a prescription?

[poppy]

Is this something you order online in Australia or can it be found in chemists, do you need a prescription?

I ordered some recently from an Australian web site:

http://www.eyesat.com.au/

No prescription is required.

It does sting, but only for about 30 seconds for me. Haven't been using it long enough to know if it helps.

I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting an ointment like thing that would make my vision very blurry. But it is similar to something like genteal gel (a bit less thick than that)

[IanJ]

Hi all,

https://au.news.yahoo.com/qld/a/2523...c-eye-disease/

Ian.

[OlympusMons]

I used it continuously for four months and saw no overall improvement, I'm sad to say. The only positive side of it was that the stinging pain when you put it in made the regular daily pain feel less problematic in comparison.

[poppy]

If anyone in Australia is interested in trying optimel, I saw it for sale at a priceline chemist on the weekend, for $29.

[DCRdryeye]

If anyone in Australia is interested in trying optimel, I saw it for sale at a priceline chemist on the weekend, for $29.

I've spoken to the company who manufactures Optimel. There are now two versions of it and the recent "retail" addition is a weaker version of the Optimel available via Optometrists. I personally prefer the stronger strength and thus will continue purchasing mine through my optometrist. However, I am not sure the specific difference in strength and if it's only minor, then perhaps it's easier to simply walk into a pharmacy and buy it.

[IanJ]

Hi all,

I ordered direct from Oz to the UK (2 packs) and left them in a cupboard for a few months until yesterday. I haven't used any drops in the past few years as I've learned to adapt and slowly but surely my eyes got slowly better. Not cured by any means, just better and bearable in daily life (just!). However, around Boxing day just past my eyes seemed to revert back a few years and I was suffereing, especially my right eye. I was quite devastated actually.

So, I've started using Optimel and hoping for the best. It's certainly does sting at first application but within 30secs it's ok. I apply direct from the tube the the inside of the bottom eyelid, close my eyes and move my eye up, down and to the sides for a few seconds. I nip to the toilet at work to apply and I get funny looks coming out with bloodshot eyes.............:-)

4 times a day for me: 6am, 12pm, 6pm and midnight. so far I'm 2 days in and see it as a medium/long term application. Maybe wrong, but if it's a ways to fight bacteria then it'll take a few days/weeks to "clean" up the eye and rid any issues.

Just wish there was a permanent cure for dry eyes..................surely it'll happen one day!

Ian.

[DCRdryeye]

4 times a day is a lot for Optimel since it stings so much. I'm back on it again after an absence and there is always an improvement when I start using it. It works for me.