Any ointments out there that aren't so SOLID out of the tube?

[spgreenfield]

The ointment from my surgery is SO SOLID it just sits in my eye like a log until I mush it around into my eye.  Not wanting to waste my money buying a bunch of different brands just to see if they are not so solid....I'm 1 month post surgery and yesterday I had to resort to ointment for some reason (it's really cold outside so dry inside is probably the reason....)  I also did a lot more yesterday - was outside, cleaned inside, etc.....hoping that I can go back to just gel drops shortly as the ointment doesn't allow for much vision out of the AN eye.....my blinking is also speeding up a bit too...but still not "there" yet....

[Jim Scott]

Pam ~

Although I don't have any experience with eye ointments, I'm thinking that perhaps warming up the tube a bit before opening it might help the ointment to flow a bit better.  Just a suggestion that I hope may prove useful.

Addendum: warming above room temperature tends to reduce the density of gels and other ointments - but no guarantees.

Jim

[Kaybo]

What kind of ointment are you using? I've used Refresh PM (& a few other things) for 16 years now & have never had to do anything. I used to live where it got VERY cold & was outside in it a lot, but have never had any trouble. I know Systane has a new "Gel Drop" out that might work for you but I'd still use the ointment at night until all better!

Good luck,
K 

[alabamajane]

Hi, I have been using the Refresh PM at night too, and it is "torture" sometimes waiting on that drop to drop! and it is thick so I  lightly rub it around some after putting it in. But since I only use it at night, I just close my eye and it is not bad. I don't think I could use something that  thick during the day though as it does make it hard to focus. I have only tried one other brand in the last 3 months and it did not seem as thick. So went back to Refresh PM for the time being ,, but it is so slow out of tube that it is like torture waiting for it to drop!....and I am in ALA,, so don't think the cold is really the problem...

[spgreenfield]

They gave me a generic "ointment" to use post surgery....will pick up the refresh PM - I've been using a "gel" drop but it wasn't lasting as long.....and yes - I'm only able to focus out of my good eye, but if that means not getting an ulcer or "white" spot on my AN eye for the time being then I'm ok with being one-eyed as well.  Today I have a heck of a headache....not sure if it's related to not being able to focus, but I'm baking and reading recipes which isn't helping much anyway.....so am I getting this right - the refresh PM is a drop and not an ointment?  And it lasts all night too?

[Kaybo]

I was a bit confused by that post also as I know of Refresh PM as only coming in ointment form so I don't understand about how it could "drop" - I just squeeze it on my lower lid and either go to bed or start my day. It does distort my vision, but that's the only choice I have - before I started using it 24/7, I had to have my eye completely sewn shut - I definitely prefer this!

K 

[spgreenfield]

Kaybo-

Thank you for posting this as I was WANTING an ointment but very confused by the posts.  I've tried the gel drops that are thick and they just aren't "enough" protection for my eye at this point of my journey.....I will go and pick up some Refresh PM ointment (when I went I would have probably guessed it was ointment by the tube container....) today and see if it works any better than the generic stuff the hospital gave me.  Probably will as they would have given me what was cheapest for them to dispense and inventory....

[Brewers7]

I use Walgreens brand.  Same ingredients as Refresh PM but thinner (and cheaper)

[spgreenfield]

I actually compared the walgreens brand to the refresh pm and the ingredients are the same but different proportions.  The refresh pm DID come out in a drop when it was warm from the store. (it got cooler in my purse though...)  It has a much higher ratio of mineral oil to petroleum jelly.....hence it would be more "liquid" than the other.  I bought it (obviously) and it's great!