Viscotears Gel 10g

What is Viscotears Gel 10g?

An eye gel used in place of your own tears. The active ingredient is carbomer, a gel-forming polymer that holds water against the surface of the eye. It is licensed as a tear substitute for dry eye, including keratoconjunctivitis sicca and an unstable tear film.

How does it help?

In dry eye the tear film breaks up too quickly and leaves patches of the eye surface exposed, and it is that exposure which causes the gritty, burning sensation. Carbomer is thicker than a watery eye drop, so once it goes in it clings to the eye surface instead of draining away within a minute or two. That longer contact time is why the usual dose is only one drop three to four times a day rather than something you keep topping up.

Key benefits

• Acts as a tear substitute for dry, gritty or burning eyes, including keratoconjunctivitis sicca
• Gel consistency stays on the eye surface, so it is normally used only three to four times a day
• Licensed for adults, older people and children at the same dose
• Supplied in a 10g tube that is easy to carry in a bag or pocket

Who should take care?

Always read the patient information leaflet before use. Do not use it if you have ever reacted to carbomer or to any of the other ingredients, including the cetrimide preservative. The gel can blur your vision for a few minutes after it goes in, so wait until your sight has cleared before driving. Soft contact lenses must be taken out before each application and left out for at least 15 minutes, because cetrimide can discolour them. Throw the tube away four weeks after opening. See your GP or an optometrist if your eyes stay red or painful, if there is any discharge, or if your vision changes. Our pharmacist checks it is right for you before it is dispensed.