netFormulary

North East and North Cumbria
ICS Formulary

11 Eye

Preservative Free Eye Drops
Microbial contamination of multidose bottles of eye drops can cause eye infections that may lead to damage of the eye and in extreme cases loss of sight. To minimise the risk, multidose bottles of eye drops contain an antimicrobial preservative such as benzalkonium chloride. The preservatives used in eye drops are normally well tolerated, but they are not completely harmless. They can cause irritation and damage to the corneal epithelium. This risk is understood to be greater in patients with pre-existing damage to the ocular surface and where large quantities of preservative containing eye drops are applied repeatedly over a prolonged period (e.g. if applied more than 4 to 6 times daily for several weeks/ months).
To avoid these problems the use of preservative-free eye drops is recommended in:
 Patients who have experienced hypersensitivity reactions or irritation due to preservatives in eye drops.
 Patients who have received corneal grafts.
 Patients with conditions where there is already damage to the ocular surface as a result of disease or trauma, such as dry eye, blepharitis, ocular burns etc.
Treatment with preservative-free eye drops will usually be initiated by an ophthalmologist.

11-08-01 Tear deficiency, ocular lubricants, and astringents

Hypromellose

First Choice

0.3% eye drops
- 1st choice – AacuLose or AaproMel
- 2nd choice – Ocufresh
0.3% preservative-free eye drops:
- 1st choice – Evolve
- 2nd choice – AddTear
- 3rd choice – Tear-Lac

Acetylcysteine 5% eye drops and preservative free eye drops

Formulary

Acetylcysteine 5% with Hypromellose 0.35% Ilube

Formulary

Eye drops: acetylcysteine 5%, hypromellose 0.35% (Ilube^®)

Balanced Salt Solution

Formulary

Sterile solution containing sodium chloride 0.64%, sodium acetate 0.39%, sodium citrate 0.17%, calcium chloride 0.048%, magnesium chloride 0.03%, potassium chloride 0.075% in 15ml bottles and 500ml bags.
For intra-ocular or topical irrigation during surgical procedures.

Carbomer 980

Formulary

Carbomer 980 0.2% eye gel (joint first choice options)
- Ocufresh carbomer
- Clinitas Carbomer
- Lumecare

Carbomer '980' 0.2% eye gel preservative free
- Evolve Carbomer 980 (1st choice)
- Viscotears 0.2% eye gel 0.6ml unit dose (2nd choice, Only if unit doses required)

Carmellose sodium

Formulary

Carmellose 0.5% eye drops
- 1st choice AaqEye Carmellose or Aqualube
- 2nd choice Optho-Lique 0.5%

Carmellose 0.5% eye drops preservative free
- Ocufresh comfort 0.5% (1st choice)
- VIZcellose 0.5% (2nd choice)
- Cellusan Light 0.5% (3rd choice)

Carmellose 0.5% eye drops 0.4ml unit dose preservative free (ONLY if unit dose required)
- Lumecare singles carmellose 0.5% (1st choice)
- Xailin fresh 0.5% carmellose (2nd choice)

Carmellose 1% eye drops
- Aqualube Forte 1% (1st choice)
- Optho-Lique Forte 1% (2nd choice)

Carmellose 1% eye drops preservative free
- Ocufresh comfort plus (1st choice)
- Eyeaze Carmellose 1% (1st choice)
- VIZcellose 1% (2nd choice)

Carmellose 1% eye drops 0.4ml unit dose preservative free (ONLY if unit dose required)
- Cellusan 1% eye drops 0.4ml
- Celluvisc 1% eye drops 0.4ml

Duolube^® eye ointment

Formulary

UNDER REVIEW

Please note
The brand name will soon change to Sooth Night-time and Duolube will be unable to be ordered

HydraMed night eye ointment preservative free^®

Formulary

HydraMed Night Sensitive^®

Formulary

Hylo Night^®

Formulary

Eye ointment (containing retinol palmitate (vitamin A) 250iu/g, white soft paraffin, light liquid paraffin, liquid paraffin and wool fat)

Moistueyes^®

Formulary

Sodium Chloride

Formulary

Sodium chloride 0.9% eye drops 0.5ml unit dose preservative free
- AddLube Sodium Chloride 0.9% eye drops 0.5ml (1st choice)
- Minims saline 0.9% eye drops 0.5ml (2nd choice)

Sodium chloride 5% eye drops
- AabChlor Sodium Chloride 5% (1st choice)

Sodium chloride 5% eye drops preservative free
- SodiEye 5% preservative free (1st choice)
- Aeon 5% preservative free (2nd choice)

Sodium chloride 5% eye drops 0.5ml unit dose preservative free (ONLY if unit dose required)
- SodiEye 5% eye drops 0.5ml (1st choice)

5% eye ointment unlicensed.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Formulary

Sodium hyaluronate 0.1% eye drops
- Aactive 0.1% (1st choice)
- AaqEye HA 0.1% eye drops (1st choice)

Sodium hyaluronate 0.1% eye drops preservative free
- VIZhyal 0.1% PF (1st choice)
- ClinOptic HA 0.1% preservative free (1st choice)
- Hylo-Tear 0.1% preservative free (2nd choice)

Sodium hyaluronate 0.2% eye drops
- Blink Intensive Tears 0.2% (1st choice)
- AaqEye HA 0.2% (2nd choice)

Sodium hyaluronate 0.2% eye drops preservative free
- VIZhyal 0.2% preservative free (1st choice)
- ClinOptic HA 0.21% preservative free (1st choice)
- Hylo-Forte 0.2% preservative free (2nd choice)

Sodium hyaluronate 0.2% eye drops 0.5ml unit dose preservative free (ONLY if unit dose required)
- Clinitas 0.2% 0.5ml unit dose preservative free (1st choice)
- HydraMed 0.2% 0.5ml unit dose preservative free (1st choice)

Sodium hyaluronate 0.4% eye drops preservative free
- VIZhyal 0.4% preservative free (1st choice)
- HydraMed Forte 0.4% preservative free (2nd choice)
- Clinitas Multi 0.4% preservative free (3rd choice)

Sodium hyaluronate 0.4% eye drops 0.5ml unit dose preservative free (ONLY if unit dose required)
- Clinitas 0.4% 0.5ml unit dose preservative free (1st choice)
- HydraMed Forte 0.4% 0.5ml unit dose preservative free (1st choice)

Systane^®

Formulary

10ml multidose bottles 0.8ml preservative-free vials Contains hydroxypropyl guar, polyethylene glycol 400, propylene glycol (and other ingredients).
Long-acting ocular lubricant used for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. Liquid formulation which turns into a gel on contact with eyes providing fast and long lasting relief. The multidose bottle may be used for up to six months after opening in primary care. In contact lens wearers, Systane should be applied before inserting lenses and after removal to extend comfortable wearing times.

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