Marketplace
Focus on Dry Eye Medications
AccuTears
Accutome, Inc.
Accutome offers three different choices with its AccuTears line: Accu-Tears PVA (polyvinyl alcohol 1.4%); Accu-Tears HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) and Accu-Tears Ointment (white petrolatum and mineral oil lubricant).
For daily use, patients have a choice of two products with different viscosity — Accu-Tears HPMC has a longer duration of action than the PVA product because of its higher viscosity, but many patients find the PVA product more comfortable because of its lower viscosity. Accutome offers Accu-Tears HPMC, the more viscous product, for people who want a tear that is going to be effective for a longer period of time.
The company offers the PVA formula for people who are bothered by high viscosity and want product they can use that provides better vision and comfort.
Accutome, Inc.
Phone: (800) 979-2020
THERATEARS
Advanced Vision Research
Thera Tears now provides complete dry-eye relief with preservative-free and bottled TheraTears for daytime, TheraTears Liquid Gel designed for nighttime and TheraTears Nutrition, Omega-3 supplement, for all-the-time relief. Complete dry-eye relief now includes contact lens wearers.
New SteriLid Eyelid Cleanser, with its “gentle-on-the-eye-tough-on-bugs” formula offers medical lid hygiene for blepharitis, dry eye and preoperative patients.
Advanced Vision Research
Phone: (800) 979-8327
SYSTANE
Alcon
Systane lubricant eye drops are the first artificial tears clinically proven to reduce signs and symptoms of dry eye, says Alcon.
Systane contains the active demulcents, polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol, along with the gelling agent HP-Guar, 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 also available in preservative-free vials.
Alcon
Phone: (817) 293-0450
SOOTHE
Alimera Sciences, Inc.
Soothe emollient (lubricant) eye drops is the first multi-dose lipid restorative tear, says Alimera Sciences. Ordinary lubricant eye drops simply provide moisture but Soothe restores the lipid layer of the tear film to reduce tear evaporation and seal in essential moisture, giving patients up to 8 hours of long-lasting relief.
In two recent studies, Soothe significantly restored lipid layer thickness to a healthy state.
Alimera Sciences, Inc.
Phone: (678) 527-1329
Restasis, Optive and Refresh
ALLERGAN
Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05% is the first and only prescription eye drop approved by the FDA that helps increase tear production in patients with chronic dry eye due to decreased tear production.
Restasis helps increase the eyes’ natural ability to produce tears, which may be suppressed by inflammation due to chronic dry eye. To date, more than a million prescriptions have been written for Restasis.
Restasis is indicated to increase tear production in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (chronic dry eye).
Increased tear production was not demonstrated in patients currently taking topical anti-inflammatory drugs or using punctal plugs.
Optive is a next-generation over-the-counter artificial tear that leverages new technology to create a dual-action formulation that works both on the ocular surface and at the cellular level to provide long-lasting relief from dry eye symptoms.
The formulation of Optive Lubricant Eye Drops relieves the symptoms of dry eye in two ways. First, it provides a lubricating and hydrating protective shield on the surface of the eye and then it penetrates below the surface to provide osmoprotection to the corneal epithelial cells from hypertonic stress caused by excessive salt levels.
The Refresh line of artificial tears offers a wide range of over-the-counter products, including preserved and non-preserved drops as well as ointments to effectively treat dry eye symptoms.
The Refresh line includes numerous formulations to address specific dry eye needs including:
- 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
- Refresh P.M. for overnight relief of dry eye
- Refresh Contacts for dryness associated with contact lens wear.
Several of the Refresh products contain carboxymethylcellulose, a compound that creates a protective shield against further irritation while providing long-lasting lubrication for the eye.
Allergan
Phone: (800) 347-4500
Lotemax
Bausch & Lomb
Lotemax (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.5%) is indicated for the treatment of steroid- responsive inflammatory conditions associated with the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea and anterior segment of the globe, when the inherent hazard of steroid use is accepted to obtain an advisable diminution in edema and inflammation.
Bausch & Lomb
Phone: (800) 553-5340
BIOTEARS
Biosyntrx, Inc.
BioTears systemically addresses the root inflammatory cause and effects of dry eye syndrome, says Biosyntrx.
BioTears contains the optimal blend of Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids and the nutrient co-factors associated with metabolic production of the tear-gland-specific series one anti-inflammatory prostaglandin, PGE1.
BioTears inhibits the arachidonic acid production of the COX2 enzyme, the pro-inflammatory prostaglandin PGE2 and interleukin IL-6.
BioTears includes nutrients that are suggested to modulate goblet cell/mucin production in both the stimulated and unstimulated tear, the lacrimal gland aqueous output, as well and meibomian gland oil output.
BioTears also contains APO-Lactoferrin, which inhibits the growth of both viral and bacterial pathogens on the ocular surface.
Biosyntrx, Inc.
Phone: (800) 688-6815
DWELLE, DAKRINA AND NUTRATEAR LUBRICANT EYE DROPS
The Dry Eye Company LLC
Dwelle and Dakrina are ideally suited for challenging dry eye cases, e.g., RCEs, Sjögrens/RA/lupus, post-LASIK and others with persistent symptoms who do not experience sufficient relief with other products, says The Dry Eye Company.
Active ingredients include polyvinyl alcohols and povidone. Dwelle and Dakrina contain the non-irritating preservative polyquaternium-42 (polexitonium). Dakrina also contains retinyl palmitate (vitamin A).
NutraTear is a long-lasting lubricant, which sharpens vision and relieves mild to moderate dry eye symptoms, says the company. Active ingredients include polyvinyl alcohols. NutraTear also contains cyanocobalamine (Vitamin B12) and non-irritating preservative polyquaternium-42 (polexitonium).
The Dry Eye Company LLC
Phone: 877-MY DRY EYES
SIMILASAN DRY EYE RELIEF
Healthy Relief
Similasan Dry Eye Relief eye drops contain homeopathic ingredients that stimulate the body’s ability to soothe and moisturize without harsh chemicals or vasoconstrictors. Similasan eye drops are safe for all ages and the active ingredients cause no known side effects or drug interactions. The company offers free samples to interested eye care professionals.
Healthy Relief
Phone: (800) 426-1644
NATURAL OPHTHALMICS, INC.
Natural Ophthalmics, Inc. offers six different dry eye treatments:
- Dry Eye Drops (homeopathic) “Just for Women” and “Just for Men” are two dry eye drops with specific formulas to address the different dryness patterns experienced by each gender.
- Dry Eye Oral Pellets (homeopathic) for Women and Men. This product offers the same effective formula as the above drops but with a higher potency, for difficult patients and for those who don’t like to take eye drops.
- Nutraceutical Support for Dry Eye includes nutrients, essential oils and pro-biotics known to support healthy tears.
- Total Ocular Function (oral absorption spray) provides up to 80% higher absorption than pills, resulting in higher blood levels of key nutraceuticals.
Natural Ophthalmics, Inc.
Phone: (877) 220-9710
The GenTeal Line
Novartis
The GenTeal line contains a complete range of formulations for soothing symptom relief of dry eye. All of the formulations are preservative free in the eye. This is because the GenTeal formulations that include a preservative are formulated with GenAqua — a unique preservative system that breaks down into water and oxygen in the eye within 1 minute. Additionally, GenTeal has been proven to relieve the signs and symptoms of dry eye.
The complete GenTeal line of products includes:
- GenTeal Mild Lubricant Eye Drops
- GenTeal Moderate Lubricant Eye Drops
- GenTeal PF Lubricant Eye Drops in single dose units
- GenTeal GelDrops Lubricant Eye Drops
- GenTeal Gel
- GenTeal Ointment
Novartis
Phone: (862) 778-1089
TEARS AGAIN HYDRATE
OcuSOFT
Tears Again Hydrate is a medical food specially formulated for the dietary management of dry eye syndrome, blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction. Tears Again hydrate is available by prescription only and is intended to be used under the supervision of a physician.
Tears Again Hydrate is formulated to contain the omega-3 fatty acid flaxseed oil and has also included evening primrose oil, an even rarer omega-6 fatty acid. These essential fatty acids have been combined with bilberry extract, all of which provide anti-inflammatory properties — a component in dry eye syndrome.
The clinically supported ingredients in Tears Again Hydrate aid in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the eye and provide relief by encapsulating a unique combination of ingredients utilizing Hypersorb, a proprietary liposome process that has been proven to enhance the absorption of orally administered ingredients for better bioavailability.
OcuSOFT
Phone: (800) 233-5469
MINIDROPS
Optics Laboratory Inc.
MiniDrops is a preservative free, single-use lubricant to address dry eyes and can be used with or without contact lenses. Compared to other tears, MiniDrops has a medium viscosity that is not too thick or sticky. MiniDrops are individually packaged in single-use vials to prevent cross-contamination of repeated use.
Optics Laboratory, Inc.
Phone: (800) 968-6788
OPTIZEN
InnoZen, Inc.
OptiZen is a lubricating eye drop that delivers instant relief and long-lasting protection against the irritating symptoms of dry eyes. It is one of the most affordable lubricant eye drops on the market and is safe and gentle enough to be used as often as needed, says InnoZen. OptiZen is clinically tested and satisfaction is guaranteed.
InnoZen, Inc.
Phone: (818) 593-4880
DRYNESS RELIEF DROPS
STI Labs
STI Labs Dryness Relief drops use Dextran 70 for ultimate relief and protection from further irritation concerning dry eyes, says the company.
The drops are alcohol-free and relieve drynesss due to smog, dust, computer use, sun, wind, air-conditioning and the elements. While moisturizing the eye, it soothes and refreshes even the driest of eyes.
STI Labs
Phone: (877) 425-7777
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