Preserve our Eyes, not our Drops!    Afficher Français  English

 

 

 

Intro

What's a Preservative

What are the Consequences

Who's at Risk

Are Labs Aware of This

Are Docs Aware of This

What Preservative Which Drop

Are There Alternatives

What Can You Do

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Alternatives to Preserved Eye Drops

Single use vials or unit-dose eye drops 

 

exemple de unidoses

Single use vials are increasingly being used to treat many ocular diseases, despite being insufficient to ensure appropriate for all those who need to avoid preservatives (particularly chronic ocular diseases that require frequent doses). Currently, there are mainly single-use vials for dry eyes, but recently non-preserved treatments for glaucoma and allergies made their appearance. .

On the left, single use vials used to treat dysfunctional tearfilm syndromes, antihistaminics and wound healing substances. These are usually sold by packs of 20 to 30 drops (usually slightly more expensive than preserved bottles).

 

unidose incurvée

Some may criticise by saying that they are hard to manipulate, but in our humble opinion it's quite the contrary and they are much more convenient to carry on than preserved bottles. On the right, an incurved single use vial by Thera Tears to facilitate instillation in the eye.

Since they have a limited life and are meant to be thrown away after one usage, single use vials are unlikely to be contaminated. Thus, single use vials when used appropriately are safer than bottled preserved eye drops used for several weeks (especially in an unhygienic manner and inappropriate manner) .

 

Unpreserved bottles using special containersMutidose container

exemple de flacon sans conservateur - unpreserved bottle

In the last few years, some unpreserved bottles made their appearance due to new container and tip mechanisms with filtering membranes (up to 0.2 µ) capable of retaining most bacteria. They are usually less expensive than singe use vials and have a greater capacity that may be more convenient for frequent dosing.

These bottles exist for dry eyes mainly, but unpreserved bottles for eye allergies and corneal healing have made their appearance. There are several system including the ABAK® used in several European countries.

 

Gels and Ointments without preservatives

Gels and ointments (preserved and non preserved)Gels  and ointments may or may not contain preservatives despite an identical exterior aspect (therefore reading the insert is compulsory!). On the left, on the top (a gel) that contains a preservatives and bellow (an ointment) that does not contain preservatives. Non preserved gel

On the right, a Norwegian example of a non preserved gel. The issue is particularly important for gels and ointments since their residence time (in the eye) is very important!

 

 

Useful advice:

Read the insert and handling instructions carefully.

Wash your hands as much as possible when instilling or manipulating your drops.

Avoid any contact of the fingers, eye, lids or eyelashes (or any other contaminated surface) with the tip.

Keep your eyedrops in dry, fresh and clean locations -afar from water points that may contain amoeba.

Keep out of sunlight and heat.

Replace, screw the cap of the bottle after use. .

Don't keep your single use vial open for long time: open it, use it immediately and throw it away.  

Don't forget to ask your ophthalmogist if there is a non-preserved alternative for your treatment. If so, always prefer the unpreserved option.

If you carry single use vials with you, please place them in a clean and dry recipient.

 

This is what we call the preservative paradox!

Preserve our Eyes, not our Drops!

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