Author Topic: Gel drops - which ones work best?  (Read 29549 times)

spgreenfield

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Gel drops - which ones work best?
« 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
Pam in South Dakota

MRI & DX on 10/17/11, 2.8 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm cystic & solid mass
Left suboccipital Surgery with Dr. Tew at Mayfield Clinic in Cincinnati on 1/10/12
SSD but no nerves cut in surgery. BAHA implant 8/2012
Facial weakness almost gone!
Acupuncture helping face
Tear duct plug on 4/4/12

ombrerose4

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #1 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.
Retrosigmoid 9/24/09
AN 2.4+ cm left side
Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC (Dr. Bederson and Dr. Choe)
BAHA surgery 1/4/2010

mk

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #2 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
GK on April 23rd 2008 for 2.9 cm AN at Toronto Western Hospital. Subsequent MRIs showed darkening initially, then growth. Retrosigmoid surgery on April 26th, 2011 with Drs. Akagami and Westerberg at Vancouver General Hospital. Graduallly lost hearing after GK and now SSD but no other issues.

Cheryl R

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #3 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
Right mid fossa 11-01-01
  left tumor found 5-03,so have NF2
  trans lab for right facial nerve tumor
  with nerve graft 3-23-06
   CSF leak revision surgery 4-07-06
   left mid fossa 4-17-08
   near deaf on left before surgery
   with hearing much improved .
    Univ of Iowa for all care

spgreenfield

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #4 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
Pam in South Dakota

MRI & DX on 10/17/11, 2.8 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm cystic & solid mass
Left suboccipital Surgery with Dr. Tew at Mayfield Clinic in Cincinnati on 1/10/12
SSD but no nerves cut in surgery. BAHA implant 8/2012
Facial weakness almost gone!
Acupuncture helping face
Tear duct plug on 4/4/12

spgreenfield

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #5 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
Pam in South Dakota

MRI & DX on 10/17/11, 2.8 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm cystic & solid mass
Left suboccipital Surgery with Dr. Tew at Mayfield Clinic in Cincinnati on 1/10/12
SSD but no nerves cut in surgery. BAHA implant 8/2012
Facial weakness almost gone!
Acupuncture helping face
Tear duct plug on 4/4/12

nancyann

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #6 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...
2.2cm length x 1.7cm width x 1.3cm  depth
retrosigmoid 6/19/06
Gold weight 7/19/06, removed 3/07
lateral tarsel strip X3
T3 procedure 11/20/07
1.6 Gm platinum weight 7/10/08
lateral canthal sling 11/14/08
Jones tube insert right inner eye 2/27/09
2.4 Gm. Platinum chain 2017
right facial paralysis

KarenKenney

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #7 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.....
4.8 cm translab approach 11/07
12-7 anastomoses 12/08
House Ear Institute, Dr Deralb Brackmann & Dr Mark Swartz.

Residual tumor... Waiting & seeing, but just over 1cm.

Handma1d

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #8 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

It is what it is

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #9 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
.7cm, left side AN , Tinnitus, Hearing preserved, Middle Fossa 8/1/12 at HEI, Drs Friedman and Schwartz, Sharing your story is extremely helpful to me.

Dena King

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #10 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. 
Lime size AN removed Nov, 1981
Complete left side facial paralysis/hearing loss.
1985-1987 7x11 crossover facial nerve graft surgeries -Julia K. Terzis MD, Norfolk , VA
Left eye tarsarophy 1990
Bi-Cros hearing aids 2011
Received left eye scleral lens, Sept, 2012

It is what it is

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #11 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
.7cm, left side AN , Tinnitus, Hearing preserved, Middle Fossa 8/1/12 at HEI, Drs Friedman and Schwartz, Sharing your story is extremely helpful to me.

spgreenfield

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #12 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
Pam in South Dakota

MRI & DX on 10/17/11, 2.8 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm cystic & solid mass
Left suboccipital Surgery with Dr. Tew at Mayfield Clinic in Cincinnati on 1/10/12
SSD but no nerves cut in surgery. BAHA implant 8/2012
Facial weakness almost gone!
Acupuncture helping face
Tear duct plug on 4/4/12

It is what it is

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #13 on: October 25, 2012, 11:12:28 pm »
That was very helpful Pam.  Thanks!  My surgery was 8/1/12. 
.7cm, left side AN , Tinnitus, Hearing preserved, Middle Fossa 8/1/12 at HEI, Drs Friedman and Schwartz, Sharing your story is extremely helpful to me.

spgreenfield

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Re: Gel drops - which ones work best?
« Reply #14 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
Pam in South Dakota

MRI & DX on 10/17/11, 2.8 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm cystic & solid mass
Left suboccipital Surgery with Dr. Tew at Mayfield Clinic in Cincinnati on 1/10/12
SSD but no nerves cut in surgery. BAHA implant 8/2012
Facial weakness almost gone!
Acupuncture helping face
Tear duct plug on 4/4/12