marketplace
Focus on Dry Eye Drops

THERATEARS
Advanced Vision Research

AVR says hypotonic TheraTears lubricant eye drops provide real dry eye relief by lowering elevated tear film osmolarity and providing the patented electrolyte balance needed by the eye surface. TheraTears comes in preservative-free single-use containers, in a bottle with a disappearing preservative, and as a liquid gel. TheraTears Nutrition (flaxseed oil, fish oil, vitamin E) works on dry eye from the inside, providing omega-3s for healthy aqueous and lipid tear production. AVR recently introduced TheraTears Contact Lens Comfort Drops that the company says provide comfort on lens insertion and relieve dryness during wear.

Phone: (800) 979-8327
Web: www.theratears.com

SYSTANE
Alcon

Systane Lubricant Eye Drops are the first artificial tears clinically proven to reduce signs and symptoms of dry eye, according to Alcon.

Systane contains a gelling-and-lubricating polymer system formulated to adjust to each patient's individual tear film pH. The polymerizing protection of Systane is achieved through the interaction of HP Guar, demulcents and the patient's natural tears.

Systane is now also available in preservative-free vials.

Visit www.systane.com
Phone: (817) 293-0450
Web: www.alconlabs.com

REFRESH
Allergan

The Refresh line of artificial tears includes a wide range of products offering different viscosities to treat the many different types of dry eyes. Refresh brand drops that include a preservative are formulated with Purite, which Allergan says is extremely gentle to the eye while remaining very effective.

The Refresh brand line of products includes:

• Refresh Tears for mild-to-moderate dry eye
• Refresh Plus preservative-free formula for mild-to-moderate dry eye
• Refresh Celluvisc for moderate-to-severe dry eye and post-LASIK use
• Refresh Liquigel for moderate-to-severe dry eye
• Refresh Endura for moderate-to-severe dry eye -- a unique emulsion eye drop
• Refresh P.M. for overnight relief of dry eye.

Phone: (800) 347-4500
Web: www.allergan.com

MOISTURE EYES
Bausch & Lomb

The Moisture Eyes line features three products to treat mild, moderate and severe dry eye.

B&L says Moisture Eyes Lubricant Eye Drops are formulated to feel like your own natural tears. They provide temporary relief from dryness, burning and irritation.

Moisture Eyes Liquid Gel provides soothing relief and longer protection from dry, gritty and irritated eyes. Moisture Eyes PM is an ointment that provides extended relief for overnight use.

Phone: (800) 553-5340
Web: www.bausch.com

NATURE'S TEARS EYEMIST
Bio-Logic Aqua Technologies

Nature's Tears EyeMist uses a mist to relieve dry eye; the product contains a tissue-culture grade water that hydrates the tear film.

Bio-Logic Aqua Technologies states that while traditional eye drops trap, seal and slow moisture loss, Nature's Tears places moisture back into the aqueous layer of the tear film, relieving dry, irritated eyes.

The company says your patients can use Nature's Tears when wearing contact lenses, working at a computer or driving an automobile.

Phone: (800) 367-6478
Web: www.naturestears.com

SIMILASAN
Healthy Relief

Similasan eye drops for dry, red eyes have homeopathic ingredients that aim to stimulate the body's self-regulating mechanisms to soothe and moisturize without harsh chemicals or vasoconstrictors.

Similasan says its eye drops are safe for all ages and cause no known side-effects or drug interactions. The company offers free samples to interested eyecare professionals, and the drops are available at mass merchandisers, drug stores and select grocery stores.

Phone: (800) 426-1644
Web: www.healthyrelief.com

OPTIZEN
Innozen

Innozen says OptiZen is a lubricating eye drop that provides instant relief and soothing protection from the symptoms associated with Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). According to the American Optometric Association, CVS refers to a collection of eye and vision problems associated with prolonged computer use including eye dryness, burning and irritation. Anyone who spends 2 or more hours a day working on a computer is at risk of developing CVS. Innozen says OptiZen is safe and gentle enough to be used as often as needed.

Phone: (818) 593-4880
Web: www.innozen.com

NATO EYE DROPS
Natural Ophthalmics

Natural Ophthalmics (NatO) has two eye drops for treating dry eye, one for men and one for women. The two are similar in that they're homeopathic medications that stimulate the body's ability to produce tear components. Homeopathic medicines act on the totality of the patient's symptoms, says NatO. Dry eyes with women often involve hormonal imbalance. NatO targets these unique differences.

Phone: (877) 220-9710
Web: www.natoph.com

GENTEAL
Novartis

The GenTeal line features four products: GenTeal Mild for mild dry eye, GenTeal for moderate dry eye, GenTeal Gel for severe dry eye and GenTeal PF for mild-to-moderate dry eye.

GenTeal PF is available in single-dose units, while the other three artificial tears are multidose. The multidose tears contain GenAqua, a disappearing preservative that turns into water and oxygen in the eye.

Phone: (866) 393-6336
Web: www.novartisophthalmics.com

TEARS AGAIN
OcuSoft

Tears Again Gels are manufactured using a patented gel process that enables the gels to disperse rapidly and immediately, providing extended relief, says the company. You can recommend Tears Again Night & Day Gel for moderate-to-severe dry eye, or Tears Again Liquid Gel Drops for mild-to -moderate dry eye. Also available is Tears Again Hydrate Essential -- a liquid nutritional supplement for dry eye.

Phone: (800) 233-5469
Web: www.ocusoft.com

MINIDROPS
Optics Laboratory

MiniDrops are for relief of mild-to-moderate dry eye. Optics Laboratory has formulated its Mini-Drops for use with or without contact lenses.

MiniDrops are preservative-free, eliminating the chance of irritation, says the company. In addition, MiniDrops are available in a 30-dropper retail pack, which is an easy-to-use travel size offering a safe, sterile dose with each use.

Phone: (800) 968-6788
Web: www.minidrops.com

STI DRYNESS DROPS
STI Labs

STI Labs has developed several unique formulations for eye care. The products combine the effectiveness of proven chemical relievers, Naphazoline HCI and Dextran 70, with the benefits of all-natural plant extracts like chamomile and Virginian hammamelis. The company says all products are alcohol-free and use only the highest quality ingredients. STI's Dryness Relief Drops provide protection from such elements as smog, dust, wind and computer use. All STI Labs products are FDA approved.

Phone: (877) 425-7777
Web: www.stilabs.com

More Products & Services

The Toyos Aqua-Chopper is designed for use with Aqualase cataract removal.

AQUA-CHOPPER
Rhein Medical has launched the new Toyos Aqua-Chopper, developed in coordination with Rolando Toyos, M.D. The new instrument is used in the subordinate hand, and is specifically designed for use with Aqualase cataract removal.

The rounded base of the blade allows easy manipulation at the incision site without disrupting incision construction. The chopper allows safe sweeping of nuclear material away from structures in the eye toward the aspiration port. The special bevels of the blade allow a surgeon to hold nuclear material on the Aqualase tip, while pushing nuclear material into the pulses, increasing the efficiency of the Aqua bursts. This special winged blade construction allows cracking of large nuclear material by holding a nucleus with vacuum and using the edge of the Aqua-Chopper. The Aqua-Chopper can also be used with ultrasound phaco.

Phone: (813) 885-5050
E-mail: info@rheinmedical.com
Web: www.rheinmedical.com

NON-GLARE MANI KNIVES
Accutome, Inc. of Malvern, Pa., now offers a new line of Non-Glare Mani metal blades for cataract surgery.

All Mani knives are offered in sterile packs of six. They are available in Crescent, Slit-Angled and R Slit-Angled designs. Mani knives are also available in multiple sizes as well.

Free samples are available. For sales, service and technical support, please contact your Accutome sales representative.

Phone: (800) 979-2020 in the United States and Canada.
E-mail: eyeopenr@accutome.com
Web: www.accutome.com.