I saw this new eye drop at Walmart and am curious if any have tried it yet. It is not preservative free but apparently helps the oil composition of the eye. Lately, I've added the preservative free Systane to my daily regimen and like the effects.
I'm interested in hearing from those who have tried the new one.
Anna
My ophthalmologist recently gave me Systane Ultra. Haven't tried Balance either but the Ultra is the best I've tried thus far.
I gave up Restasis about 4 months ago.
I had a whole bunch, but it was in storage got too hot and was ruined.
Since I have to pay full price, I thought now is the time to try something else.
So I've been using Systane Ultra since, and have felt just fine.
It is certainly cheaper, even tho not cheap by any means.
Keep us posted.
Kisses
Elaine
Systane Balance contains boric acid, which the company that produces it says has a positive affect on the eye's pH (I think that's what the package said).
I like all of the Systane drops, especially Balance and Ultra High Performance. They seem gentler and longer lasting than other kinds, even though they contain preservatives.
As with all eye drops, your mileage may vary.
My ophthalmologist gave me a sample of it. It was much better than the Natural Tears I had used before, but it still wasn't enough. I need the Restatis.
Deb
Does anyone use Systane and Restasis.
I kinda like Blink Gel Tears. Are these better or longer lasting? I have the Systane drops, but only the regular drops.
I use both Restasis and Systane, Reanne.
Systane products are just normal eye drops that add moisture to the eye temporarily; they don't increase tear production or decrease inflammation like Restasis does. The Balance drops help maintain proper pH levels in the eye, but they don't have any real therapeutic value beyond that and adding moisture.
Restasis alone doesn't have enough impact on my eyes, and I always need additional drops to get through life. Systane is my brand of choice, though I also like Blink, TheraTears, and a few other brands. Lots of people here swear by GenTeal.
I agree with Puccini914 about the gel drops, too. They can make things blurry for a few minutes, but they last so much longer. I love them at night, especially.
Thank you Puccini. I am going to try some gel drops with the Restasis.
I used some gel based drops briefly (sorry I don't remember the brand) and quickly stopped as I'd developed a nasty sinus infection which is rare for me.
One day I suddenly sneezed out a big accumulation of the stuff and have been fine since. I'm sure the vast majority of people never have sinus problems with the it, just an alert in case someone does.
Thanks, guys, I'm going to buy a bottle and give them a try. I use several types of drops along with Restasis. At night, I use Genteal gel.
Anna
At night do you the gel or Restasis in first? Does it matter?>
I usually wait a half hour or so after Restasis to use any eye drops. Some people use regular drops 15 min. before Restasis to help avoid any stinging feeling, but I'm not sure that's a good idea with the thicker gel drops.
The new opthamologist I see gave me samples of both the Balance and the Ultra. I like the Ultra better, but the Balance is not bad either...I'll still stick with Soothe.
I also use the Restasis first, wait 30 or so minutes before applying an OTC drop.
Patze
Wonderful valiable infomation! Thank you all!!
HEY SJOGGIES, This month's Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation Moisture Seeker newsletter has a full page ad for Systane Balance with a $2 off coupon. Please read on...
It is made by Alcon and company makes the following statement: Your dry eye symptoms may be caused by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). MGD is a common type of dry eye that often affects sufferers with Sjogren's Syndrome.
MGD is associated with insufficient oil getting to the tear film. This causes increased tear evaporation, which results in signs and symptoms of dry eye.
SYSTANE BALANCE Lubricant Eye Drops was specifically designed for dry eye patients with MGD. Systane Balance works by restoring the oil layer and re-establishing the natural film to relieve your symptoms.
Talk to you doctor today about MGD, and find out if Systane Balance Lubricants Eye Drops is right for you.### end of quote
Duke(DUMC) corneal specialist diagnosed me with MGD last May and also said I might get eye glands unclogged by doing the following: apply moist cloth and 'my warmed clay pack' and keep it on for about 30 minutes.
(Specialist also mentioned a new drop would soon be available for MGD and here it is.) I apply a drop in each eye before applying warm compress.
My eyes are requiring far fewer sterile vial drops per day. Can see my glands are not clogged and secreting oil to cover the little moisture my eyes produce.
Two other things I must mention had already helped stabilize my eye moisture... last May, lower plugs and pilocarpine prescribed for dry mouth possibly seems to be helping eye moisture, or at least I think so! ;)
Joy
Joy,
I saw the ad and coupon as well. I will definitely give them a try. The warm compresses do help, don't they? Thanks for your input.
Anna
I have been using Systane ultra eye drops for quite a while now, and I love it.:)
Aswell Ocugel is quite nice for at night, if anyone would like to give it a try.
I used to use the warm compresses on my eyes when my eyes bothered me a lot. After 4-5 minutes of use, you stroke your finger along the lash line -- this is where the oil glands are. The warmth coupled with the massage got things moving again and relieved the burning pain.
I use Systane Ultra now and will probably buy the Systane Balance to keep on hand for the rare times I have burning eyes now. I think the Black Currant Seed oil capsules I take help; they're rich in GLA (gamma linoleic acid). I also take 4 g. of fish oil daily and put flaxseed meal on my breakfast cereal, so I'm getting plenty of omega 3s.
If you read the TheraTears Nutrition label, you'll see flaxseed and fish oil listed, along with Vitamin E. My rheumy has me take the latter only 3 days a week now.