ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Eye Issues => Topic started by: spgreenfield on May 16, 2012, 11:20:35 am

Title: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: spgreenfield on May 16, 2012, 11:20:35 am
So far I've tried

-Sustane gel drops and they make my eye feel as though there's something IN it that shouldn't be!
-Sustane ultra - thinner - but lasts only about an hour or so
-Blink moderate to severe drops - they last a tad bit longer but still would like more time

Ointment seems to be the only thing that helps long term - silly question - when using ointment, once you can focus - is it gone?  Because my eye still feels fine - I'm considering using a very small amount of ointment along with drops to see if it helps at all.....

Curious to see responses!

Pam
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: ombrerose4 on May 16, 2012, 04:13:29 pm
Hi Pam,

I have yet to find a drop or gel that gives me total relief. As soon as my eye gets used to the drops, they stop helping so I am constantly switching back and forth. I usually alternate between Systane Ultra and Bausch & Lomb Soothe. I have also used a gel(Genteel) and then follow up a few minutes later with a drop. It's strange but my eye bothers me the most during the night when I am sleeping.
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: mk on May 16, 2012, 05:56:11 pm
I generally use Tears Naturale Free during the day. Whenever I feel like I need something thicker (usually later in the day when I am tired, and before going to bed), I use Genteal gel drops. They are not really a "gel", but they are thicker than regular drops.

Marianna
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: Cheryl R on May 16, 2012, 06:02:33 pm
I say this alot on here but I have used Refresh products all along with my most luck.      Gel at night and very occ use of liqugel in the day.     Celluvisc was good back in my days when had worse eye issues.                       Cheryl R
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: spgreenfield on May 16, 2012, 07:44:43 pm
It appears they have a new product too - with coupons!  Wonder what the cost is if the coupon is $3 off....will see.  I'll give the line a try.  Currently only using their ointments - don't want the SUPER thick gel drops but willing to try the lubricating ones.  For some reason a really thick drop feels like an eyelash got in my eye...........

Pam
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: spgreenfield on May 18, 2012, 08:04:26 am
Just tried the Refresh Optive advanced.  Very pricey for a relatively small bottle.  Runs in my drug store at about $14 for only .33 fl. oz.!  It's nice - not thick - think it would be better for those that have SOME natural tears hanging around....it seems to be a little more "oily" than most.  Doesn't feel cold and wet when putting it in - soothing a bit at first, but doesn't seem to lubricate.  Might team it up with my other tears product as it's supposed to cut down on evaporation of tears....  When I saw the $3 off coupon on the Refresh website, I KNEW I had an expensive product!!!!

Pam
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: nancyann on May 18, 2012, 07:37:10 pm
Hi Pam: thanks for the 'heads up' on the Refresh coupon. Since I've had total facial paralysis from the get go, I can only use Refresh PM ointment. Drops, gels, etc, don't work for me.  After 6 years, the eye issue is the only daily issue I deal with...
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: KarenKenney on June 20, 2012, 01:13:51 pm
I'm very late on this, I know, but I have just found this site through an eye twitch search :)

I can only use Refresh CELLUVISC for daytime & Refresh PM at night. Nothing compares. I figure I can't put a price on my eye!! I had total paralysis initially, but had a nerve graft, which has helped tremendously... I'm still know as the eye drop girl though :) I much prefer that than being the girl w one eye or worse.....
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: Handma1d on June 22, 2012, 09:30:32 am
Howdy,
I recently started using the GenTeal gel by Novaris for moderate to severe dry eye. It's not too thin. not too thick, it's just right for me - kind of like the Three Bears porridge!   :)
It is $10.00 for a 0.5 ounce bottle. It's the only one I've tried, but love the results. Only need it once a day so far.
Peace,
Diane
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: It is what it is on September 24, 2012, 01:11:10 pm
Hi, I use Refresh drops when needed during the day but the only thing that works after I go to bed is Genteal GEL for severe dry eye. 

karen
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: Dena King on October 23, 2012, 03:50:57 am
For past 30 years I have tried just about every product on the market and always go back to my Celluvisc drops during the day, and lacrilube ointment at night. 
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: It is what it is on October 23, 2012, 12:52:42 pm
Has anyone tried the plugs in the tear ducts to provide more moisture in the eye?  If so, it that working?

karen
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: spgreenfield on October 23, 2012, 04:25:46 pm
Hi Karen.  I have only one plug on the lower lid - it does help!  The tears (what I put in and actually make) stay in the eye much longer with it in there.  I figure I'll leave it in there until I get annoyed by "puddling" in the corner of my eye....but that hasn't happened yet.  My eye keeps improving - so much now since I only find I'm putting in drops a couple times a day and not every 15-20 minutes as I was in the beginning.  Wind also doesn't bother me nearly as much...

When was your surgery?

Pam
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: It is what it is on October 25, 2012, 11:12:28 pm
That was very helpful Pam.  Thanks!  My surgery was 8/1/12. 
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: spgreenfield on November 02, 2012, 09:10:18 am
So I'm totally bummed....now that we're going back into winter and less humidity indoors my eye is beginning to "act up" once again!  <SIGH> So back to drops consistently throughout the day....grrr was SO hopeful that things were looking up as far as tear production was concerned!!!  Anyone else have this issue?

Pam
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: It is what it is on November 02, 2012, 09:16:20 am
I'm sorry to hear that.  Heating in this season seems to cause more eye dryness for me at night.

Karen
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: spgreenfield on November 02, 2012, 09:47:07 am
I hear you there!  I may have to return to ointment overnight to soothe my eye during the night even though I believe I fully close it - it's red in the morning....  I'll be starting use of my humidifier as well throughout the house and especially the one in the bedroom!

Pam
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: It is what it is on November 02, 2012, 10:07:45 am
Thanks for the reminder about using a humidifier. :)

Karen
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: smcij on January 31, 2013, 07:23:29 pm
I'm still struggling with major dry eye/blurring/floaters problems.  (It sounds as if this is a permanent rather than temporary symptom post GK radiotherapy.)  I'm in the UK so some of the recommended drops aren't available.  I'm going to order the Genteal Severe Gel Drops for night and one of the other recommended drops for day use.  Could anyone let me know if any are contact lens friendly?  I'm worried I'll have to give them up if not.  I've tried Blink, Hypromellose, Refresh but they only provide very short term relief. My eyes are now feeling sore as well as dry.  If I wake in the night I have to use drops.

Thanks for all the help and support given on this site.
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: CH-ANGirl on February 14, 2013, 06:23:01 pm
Hi,  I have tried everything. Has anyone tried Restasis and is it ok to use for our dry eyes after radiation and surgery? A friend gave me 4 of her Restasis and I think it was good...But I would like to know if anyone has had experience with this.
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: mk on February 15, 2013, 11:25:27 am
Hi,

Here is the answer that I posted to a similar question sometime ago:

"I asked the cornea specialist about Restasis recently. She explained to me that Restasis is good for people who have lack of tears attributed to inflammatory issues (such as Sjogren's syndrome). She said that it is not appropriate for people who experience dry eye due to nerve damage, and she wouldn't prescribe it for me.
I had posted a question on Restasis on the forum long time ago, and based on the answers indeed most ANers have not seen a beneficial effect, and some had adverse reactions. So it seems that we are pretty much stuck with the OTC drops."

The entire thread is here:

http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=17800.msg979747219#msg979747219

Look also here:
http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=15948.0

Marianna
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: Don Hall on February 15, 2013, 12:27:19 pm
i have used Refresh Liquigel for th elast 6 yeards and woul dnot use anything else...
 i haave used everything metioned her with out success th eRefreh liquigel works best for me.
I use to laternate through outthe day with differt branda and tha twas worse..
you can usualy get two 30 ml bottles for $20
Title: Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
Post by: Elizabeth Cuttler on February 25, 2013, 10:53:36 pm
My ophthalmologist prescribed Retaine, and you can only buy them from the pharmaceutical laboratory. I checked on Amazon, and they advertise it, so maybe they sell it too and it's very expensive. I am going to stick to Systane or Genteal. I would have to spend $1200.00 a month using Retaine; it's not covered by the insurance. I got a sample, and in the box it says that it's one dose, and I would need to use it twice a day at $40.00 per day.
I had a blepharoplasty on both eyes to correct the muscles; I had it done twice, and it didn't work. My left eye closes suddenly, and I can only open it with my fingers. Using Genteal with lubricant helps. If I don't apply it at night, I can't open my eye in the morning.